Hello all:
I am interested in replacing my 25 yr. old H2O heater with a new gas unit. My house is small and I would really like to free up some much needed space by putting the unit in an enclosure outside. I have seen the metal enclosures, but I’ve been unable to find much info. online about these. Anybody know where to look?
I also wouldn’t mind trying to build an enclosure and avoid having to buy one. Any ideas on this? I know I’ll need to consider ventilation for combustion air as well as insulation.
Any ideas or direction is appreciated.
Thanks.
Replies
Greetings CMC, As a first time poster Welcome to Breaktime.
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
You live where? Lowest temp. in winter is what?
If there's a chance of freezing, what you are really proposing is an addition to your house "conditioned space" to keep it from freezing. Yes, the whater heater generates heat. It also has a flue that pulls in as much cold air from the outside as goes up that flue. If it's not in a space that has some external source of heat, the water in that heater will get cold fast using a lot of energy (although one could debate that by sending indoor air up the flue when it's in a basement, you end up with the same fuel waste), and could also freeze, unless you get very careful with insulation and infiltration details, and make sure you have an automatic damper on the flue. I think it would turn into a big deal with little return.
What I'm getting at is that rather than build a space for a tank type water heater. I'd suggest you consider a tankless heater that will fit in much less space.
Here's a link for one manufacturer's products.
http://www.protankless.com/
Seeking perfection in an imperfect world is a fool's errand. Making something look perfect is a whole 'nother story . . . .
Such enclosures are used a lot here in non-freezing Southern CA. Usually they're bump-outs on the back of the house, built and sided like the rest of it. Do you see them on other houses in your area? If not, there may be a good climate reason why not.
-- J.S.
This will open a whole 'nother conversation, but there are some instantaneous water heaters designed for exterior installation. You will have to search to find them. And even if you installed it inside, it would take much less space.