Small Gas Water Heater

[BayPointArchitect]

I'm really not happy with my interior designers who have shuffeled my utility room and left me with a water heater closet measuring only 24" x 24". Can anyone recommend a water heater with a 24" diameter?

Gas... probably vented through the roof.

 

[BayPointArchitect]

I see that A.O.Smith has a 50 gallon unit with a diameter of only 22 inches. That should work just fine.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Kevin Turner]

Sounds like a perfect scenario for a tankless water heater.

 

[BayPointArchitect]

I see that there are a lot of votes for tankless water heaters. How is that different from a "point-source" electric water heater?

 

[Kevin Turner]

I was just thinking of the lack of space. The point of use electric water heaters are great for small amounts of hot such as under a sink in a remote location of a residence or business, however the tankless can produce up to 9 plus GPM. Just depends on the demand you need to have.

 

[Yikes]

Note: the tankless heater usally takes a much larger gas line (1") than a conventional tank water heater, and it requires greater combustion air supply. It also requires a (dedicated) electrical outlet, and thus a shutoff switch and a service light.

They can also make a little noise, because their fan runs every time someone uses the hot water.

If you need combustion air to an interior closet space, most tankless manufacturers have an all-in-one supply+exhaust fule in a single pipe.

It's not too late to get that max. $1500 tax credit for the tankless!

 

[pwood]

tankless water heaters may require a greater clearance to combustible walls . i would check the install directions before writing a check!

 

[mark handler]

i see that a.o.smith has a 50 gallon unit with a diameter of only 22 inches. That should work just fine.Thanks everyone!

What are the required clearances?

You typically need a minimum of 5 or 6 inches of front clearance

 

[pwood]

echo echo echo:mrgreen: well?

 

[Yikes]

pwood - i bought a Noritz tankless this year. Clearances are found on page 7 and 8 of this pdf:

http://www.noritz.com/u/manuals/installation_manual_nr98_dvc.pdf

Clearance from side walls is 2" minimum, however, 8" is recommended for ease of inspection in case of a service call.

I know several people who have placed their tankless water heater in their attic, saving valuable floor area below. I originally planned to do this, but decided to mount it on an outside wall instead, because the manufacturer requires me to flush impurities from the tankless coils every 2 years to stay under warranty.

After 3 months of use, I now wish I had put it in the attic. The outside wall location is too noisy and it blows exhaust on me when I walk up to my back door.