The conventional tank water heater that is found in the standard American home is like leaving your car running in your garage in case you might use it.
You heat up a whole tank full of water
just in case you might want to use it.
You could use a solar hot water system instead. But a solar system only heats the water when the sun is shining.
Or you could use a propane (or natural gas) powered Tankless water heater.
Because a
Tankless Water Heater heats the water up whenever you want to use it.
When you turn on the hot water faucet, the pressure drops and a microswitch in the heater kicks on and ignites the flame with a pizeo-electric crystal lighter, so no energy is used for the pilot light.
The flame heats the water as it goes through a tiny capilary tube. Because the water is heated as it is used, nothing is wasted.
A water barrel, painted black, inside a well-insulated passive solar glass box enclosure could be a simple way to preheat the source water for the tankless heater.
Technical Corner
| Aquastar 125B
*"Constant hot water supply" of the Bosch Aquastar 125B tankless water heater can support a single shower, or smaller multiple fixtures simultaneously.
*"82% efficiency rating".
*Standard models will modulate gas flame down to approximately 20,000 Btu;
*“S” models will modulate down to zero for preheated water. Get the “S” model if you have, or plan to have, a solar or woodstove preheating system, which will not affect normal operation (but costs lots more to add as a retrofit).
*The 125B model also has a new “L” option for low-flow or recirculation applications such as hot tub or slab floor heating.
*Aquastar now offers a pilotless “X” version of the 125. This model does away with the standing pilot light, uses electronic ignition, and significantly boosts energy efficiency.
*No electric plug is required, the ignition is powered by a tiny electric turbine that spins up when the water starts flowing.
*All other specifications are identical to the standard 125 B model.
*Mfg. warranty: 15 years on Host exchanger, 2 years on all else.
*29.75½ H x 18.25½ W x 8.75½ D, 44 lb. Portugal.
• Btu Input: 117,000
• 55°F Temp. Rise: 3.3 gpm
• 75°F Temp. Rise: 2.4 gpm
• 90°F Temp. Rise: 2.0 gpm
• Minimum Flow: 0.5 gpm
• Vent Size: 5½ Type B gas vent
• Water Connections: 1.2½ NPT
• Min. Gas Supply Line: 3.4½ NPT
• Min. Water Pressure: 15 psi |
