Duct CleaningIndirect Water Heaters
Indirect hot water heater as the indirect-fired system uses a boiler-based space heating for domestic hot water heating.
The water inside the insulated storage water tank is heated by the boiler, indirectly, while fluids are kept separate; they are not allowed to mix.
Thanks to the insulated storage water tank, energy inside is kept longer while the furnace or boiler operates less often.
The indirect system permits hot water production year-round in great quantities and typically at a much higher efficiency than conventional water heaters. The indirect system is tied into your home's space heating system and it will heat the water even if there is no need for space heating.
Continuous use of the boiler for heating domestic hot water is very good for the system as it prevents costly deterioration which occurs when the boiler is idle for long periods.
During the winter, when the indirect water heater is used for the home heating, only small fraction of the heat is used for domestic water heating. In summer all of the heat is used for hot water preparation.
Indirect hot water heater systems can heat water by using natural gas, propane, electricity, oil or solar energy. Heat pumps, gas or oil fired burners are used as the source of the heat.
Indirect Hot Water Heater Types
Due to the insulated storage tank, the heat inside the tank can’t escape easily and less fuel is used allowing for lower utility bills. An indirect water heater can be easily used 365 days of the year and once installed in your home; you’ll never have to worry about running out of hot water ever! Best of all, since the indirect system is integrated into a home’s heating system; it can heat water even when there is no need for central heating, but takes advanatage of the much higher efficiency of the heating system.
Indirect water heater can produce hot water using different and commonly available fuels like electricity, oil, propane, natural gas and solar energy. Many people also use heat pumps and gas/oil burning furnaces as a source of energy for heating water.
Types Of Indirect Water Heaters
Broadly speaking there are four types of indirect water heaters and they are:
- Internal coiled type
- External submerged type and
- Furnace-based type
- Tank-in-tank type
Internal coil indirect water heater: It’s the most commonly used indirect water heating system and has a coil placed inside the storage tank that allows for heating of a large quantity of water with amazing recovery rates.
External submerged indirect water heater: Consists of copper tubes that are protected by a stainless steel or cast iron shell. There is a need for an external heat exchanger that used one pump each for water and heat transfers.
Boiler based indirect hot water heater: This is the least common type of indirect water heater. In this system the heat exchanger coil circulated water through the boiler/furnace so that it can be heat and then it is sent to a storage tank for use.
Tank-in-tank type of indirect water heater: This type of indirect water heater is made of two tanks; the inside tank is made from corrugated SS while the outer tank is made from SS. The Weil Mclain indirect water heaters are good examples of tank-in-tank heaters.
A highly effective water heating system, this design is 3-times more capable than an electric water heater, and 2-times more capable than a tankless coil water heater.
Indirect-fired hot water heating systems are also known as “combined systems,” as they use a combined heat source for heating water and space inside a home.
Indirect Water Heater Advantages
- The greatest advantages of the gas fired indirect water heaters is the significant reduction of flue losses.
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These units are more efficient, with less standby heat loss, when compare to the standard tank type.
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Less maintenance - no additional burners to maintain.
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Less cost - no additional venting required or fuel lines to run.
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Better performance - more available hot water with quicker recoveries.
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Easy to size and easy to install.
On the systems with no coils, Weil Mclain for example, large self cleaning waterways are used, which are preventing liming and efficiency deterioration.
As said before, integrated combined heating systems are using the same heat source for both space and water heating. One of the advantages of the integral systems over separate unit systems is the presence of only one combustion device that reduces the backdrafting risk of one appliance, reduced regular service needs and one venting system used.
Storage water tanks used in indirect fired heating systems are usually build of the stainless steel, and with the absence of the direct flame or combustion, thermal stress is significantly reduced, making them very durable with a long life span. Some manufacturers are providing a lifetime warranty.
The most typical capacity of the indirect hot water heater tanks is about 40 gallons. Capacity is an important element when selecting to buy a new indirect water heating system, but also the recovery rate. The actual recovery rate will depend on the Btu input of the unit that feeds the heat exchanger
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