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thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com > Forums > The Tank > How can I use only 1 of my 2 water heaters to save LP? |
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thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com > Forums > The Tank > How can I use only 1 of my 2 water heaters to save LP? |
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| How can I use only 1 of my 2 water heaters to save LP? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 3rd, 2008 11:21 pm |
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1st Post |
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TetonCowgirl Member 
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I've been searching google for hrs and your site has come the closest to answering my question. Your questions dealt with vacant vacation homes and my situation is different. Two of us live full-time at 6500 ft altitude, in Jackson, WY. We have 2 adult children who visit and other seasonal visitors, so I guess our home was set for high hot water usage: 2 -75 gal, Bradford White HWHs, less than 2 yrs old, burning LP, and designed for the altitude. Can we let 1 HWH sit idle (turn off switch and cut off inflow of water) for 2 weeks, then switch and let the other HWH sit idle for 2 more weeks? I don't want to have to drain a HWH, esp when the temp is -20 degrees outside. But I also don't want to grow funky stuff inside the dark, unused, idle 75 gal. tank. We also don't want to shower in microbes. If I did the switch every week, would that be much safer? If you were in my situation, what would you do? P.S. Reading betw the lines, you can guess that our LP bills are heart-stopping. We heat with electric. Thank you so much, ye wizened plumbing experts!
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| Posted: Tue Nov 4th, 2008 05:12 am |
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2nd Post |
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TetonCowgirl Member
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MEA CULPA! My husband just told me that "wizened" doesn't mean "full of experienced knowledge," like I thought. I really didn't mean "shriveled, withered" --honestly. Now I've insulted y'all and I'll never get a serious answer. I'll let myself out...
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| Posted: Tue Nov 4th, 2008 05:00 pm |
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3rd Post |
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elenano Member
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I don't know. How do you know we're not wizened, as well? I was kind of hoping one of my esteemed colleagues would chime in on the ins and outs of alternating, and maybe they will, but what I'm thinking is that you don't need that second tank running at all, ever. I've seen a number of apartment complexes where a 75-gallon tank served four to six units. Unless you're feeding a hot tub out there in the snow, I don't know why you would ever need the second one. Maybe you should put it up on eBay and help defray your propane bill. Make sure the buyer pays for shipping! Randy Schuyler
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| Posted: Wed Nov 5th, 2008 08:39 pm |
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4th Post |
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TetonCowgirl Member
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Thanks for your reply. No, we're not supplying hot water to a hot tub in the snow! We were afraid we'd have moose luxuriously enjoying the hot tub, calling room service for a bottle of wine. (Not to mention having to evict the party of moose.) Hey, I spent time marvelling at your "Fun Stuff." Thanks for the chuckle. Take care, TetonCowgirl
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| Posted: Thu Nov 6th, 2008 07:33 am |
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5th Post |
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eleent Member
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Sad mooses  I think I'd disconnect a tank and store it (if there is space) for eventual use. No need for both to remain hooked up, or for the trouble of dealing with both. If the unhooked tank can be dried out, it will wait patiently for you to put it back into use. The gas control does need to stay warm and dry, unlike the mooses.Yours, Wizened Larry
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15th, 2008 03:16 am |
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6th Post |
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pgmr Member
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If these tanks are plumbed in series (one tank feeds into the other), you could just shut off the gas to the first one and leave it off. It might act like a tempering tank somewhat, since room air will still be going up the flue pipe in the middle of the tank (which will cost you money in lost heat). You could also just turn the temperature way down but leave the pilot lit, which would warm the water even more. Having a tempering tank means the other heater wouldn't use as much gas to get the water up to normal operating temperature, since the water leaving the tempering tank is a bit warmer than that coming directly from the city or your well.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 10th, 2010 06:25 am |
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7th Post |
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MetHistory Member
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Should I drain (and dry) my electric hot water heaters in my summer house, when we close the house for the winter (December to May), at which time we drain the pipes? If so, is it really possible to get all the water out of the tank? Christopher Gray Martha's Vineyard PS I had no idea this anonymous thing in my basement could be so much fun.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 10th, 2010 06:26 am |
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8th Post |
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MetHistory Member
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Sorry, erroneous posting, a duplicate. Last edited on Sat Apr 10th, 2010 06:27 am by MetHistory |
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| Posted: Sat Apr 10th, 2010 08:20 pm |
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9th Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: There are two schools of thought. One is to keep the tank full of water and dosed with hydrogen peroxide or chlorine. Odor and bacteria build-up are concerns with an unused tank of water. The plus is this allows the anode to continue to protect the heater. A possible solution to the odor problem is to use a powered anode instead of the sacrificial rod tanks come with. Powered anodes are very good at preventing odor while protecting the tank. Draining the heater down can work if the heater really can be made dry. Sediment on the bottom of the tank would prevent drying. With an electric tank, you can go in the bottom element port and vacuum out most of the sediment. So, neither solution is without effort, but both will help keep the heater going in a safe manner  Yours, Larry
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| Posted: Sat Apr 10th, 2010 09:45 pm |
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10th Post |
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MetHistory Member
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Larry! You da bomb! Thank you. Christopher
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