Best Water Heating System for a Brownstone?
What do you think is the best water heater system for a two family brownstone. It’s a classical house, one garden floor for rental and the upper triplex for the owner. I am looking for the most efficient/cost effective machine. I do want something good but with a good balance price/quality/efficiency.
What do you think is the best water heater system for a two family brownstone. It’s a classical house, one garden floor for rental and the upper triplex for the owner. I am looking for the most efficient/cost effective machine. I do want something good but with a good balance price/quality/efficiency.
afaik, heat pump hot water technology is new so your potential maintenance issues may be difficult. Best used as a replacement for electric w/h since they are 3x as efficient, but that still puts it just better than gas. Since they price out at 1600 vs 6-700, it’ll be a very long ROI. And you’ll need a 220v line.
@Dibs
It’s the cheapest. Not the most efficient…
Yes, we all know you are talking about domestic hot water. That can either come from your boiler or from a free standing unit, which is what I’m assuming you’re looking for. Yes, the classic frees tanding white looking water tank is still the most efficient, cheapest option.
Thanks for all the answers. After reading the posting from CMU I have another question: Can you have one boiler that heats water for the radiant heat and also heats water for the domestic hot water? Of course, the water of the radiant heat will be closed and completely separated. I am just talking about the heating source. Can one machine do both? Is it better? Since the life of a machine is around 10-15 years, one machine would be better than two, I assume.
The heather, boiler, tankless or whatever I decide to use will be gas fired. I assume it is more cost effective than electrical.
Any opinions about the heat pumps like the one on the link: http://www.geappliances.com/heat-pump-hot-water-heater/ ?
I have a 60gal Kenmore hi-recovery normal venting for same setup…4 adults+2 kids. Forced combustion is higher eff, but at extra $400 and all kinds of problems and expense with venting might not be worth it. Would not recommend ‘tankless’. Also, if you have the right boiler, can add indirect heater to it, some say it’s more efficient if the boiler is hi-efficiency.
Thanks! Any advise on brands for both, conventional and the more efficient?
But to be hones, I am more confused. I am talking for domestic hot water. Aren’t the classic water tanks in the picture anymore?
Gas fired? If you’re looking for a stand-alone hot water heater go with just that…AO Smith or any of the better brands..60+ gallons.
There is no easy answer. A new conventional boiler is cheaper and usually easier to vent. They are efficient and much simpler than Mod/Cons.
Mod/Cons are more efficient if you can use lower temperature water. But they almost always require a new PVC flue, are much more expensive and and are more complicated.
If initial cost is most important go conventional. You have to figure the payback period for anything else.