I want to take advantage of my water heater to install a baseboard unit in my basement stairway,
Has anyone done this before and can you advise the procedure and parts
Thanks
Kevin
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Replies
Yes, it can be done in one of two ways. One is to use the same water heater to heat the room or stairway as that used for domestic water. In such a case you probably turn the water heater to a higher temperature, then use a mixing valve for the domestic hot water needs. (You don't want to accidently step in the shower that is 180° F.) Another way is to use a separate water for heating and it can be left at the higher temperature without any mixing valve.
I used the former listed way in a one BR apartment. The problem I had was a new tenant that didn't understand that there was a limited supply of hot water would use it all on one shower then wonder why the apartment got cold. It is a very cheap, neat and comfortable heat source.
Edited 11/21/2007 12:58 am ET by Tinkerer3
Some good info: http://www.healthyheating.com/tools/Dave%20Yates%20H20%20vs%20Boiler.pdf
Edited 11/21/2007 10:16 pm ET by DY473
I say ... DON'T try it.
A water heater is ...well, a water heater- not a boiler.
First of all, a common water heater may not be able to put out enough heat to be used for heating- you might need a 'fast recovery' commercial unit.
Then, there are the many other components that boilers have, yet water heaters lack. For example, low level cut-off switches. I would NOT rely upon the water heater's T&P valve to be 'safe enough'.
Even the smallest water heater has the potential of flying hundreds of feet, or punching through walls, when the safeties fail. There's hardly a better example of when you want to limit yourself to using equipment specifically for the purpose for which it was intended.
"Even the smallest water heater has the potential of flying hundreds of feet, or punching through walls, when the safeties fail"You mean like this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmJoyuUJj2Q
I've had to rebuild & replace some setups that were built that way. I wouldn't do it on my own house.
If you want a single source of heat for both hot water & baseboards go with a boiler & a hot water maker ( heat exchanger).
"If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it?" Benjamin Franklin
FWIW
Seems that an electric baseboard heater w/thermostat would be a lot less expensive, a lot less labor intensive, and safer than what you propose.
Gas might be cheaper to operate on the grander scheme of things, but not for a stairwell which should require minimal heat, unless there is more to this than I picture from your description.
............Iron Helix
Kevin
While I will use water heaters for heating my house, I've decided against using them in conjunction with the household water.
The prime reason is because of the potential for stale water.
heating systems are basically DEAD ENDED DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN HEAT IS NOT REQUIRED.. Thus the potential for problems.. while you may already know about the problem there is nothing to say that your wife or another family member/plumber etc. won't get in there in your absence and mess things up..
If as I do you have seperate water heaters for the house and drinking water than go ahead. radiantec might be able to help you. However I would definatly not kick the temp up to 180 as suggested earlier.