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| Preliminary tank?? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Mar 2nd, 2010 04:09 am |
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1st Post |
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Phillcanfix Member
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First question: I'm wondering if adding a preliminary tank for water to run into before it runs into the regular hot water tank is worth the trouble? I've heard that having water run into a tank and feed from that tank into the regular hot water tank will save you money. The reason stated was that the first tank being unheated will keep room temperature water instead of the much colder water that comes out of the ground. The room temperature water that then goes into the regular water heater will heat up quicker so cost less money, and make your "hot" water last much longer. Is this true? Second question: If I did use a preliminary tank, since it will have no electric to it, will it still need the anode rod, and would the anode rod still work the way it is supposed to?
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| Posted: Tue Mar 2nd, 2010 03:27 pm |
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2nd Post |
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eleent Member 
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Hello: What you describe is called a "tempering tank" and it can work well if you have cold ground water and a warm place for the tank to live. Also, the tank needs to be uninsulated so room heat can find its way to the water. This approach was suggested long ago to preheat electric heaters which used to have smaller heating elements. Yes, it still needs an anode  Yours, Larry
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| Posted: Wed Mar 3rd, 2010 04:49 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Phillcanfix Member
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Larry, thanks for the info. Just one more question. If the tank came with an aluminum anode rod, would it be ok to put in a magnesium anode rod? In reading, it is suggested that they are better than the aluminum rods. Thanks again, Phill
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| Posted: Wed Mar 3rd, 2010 05:11 pm |
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4th Post |
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elenano Member
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Certainly. There is never any harm in changing from one metal to another. Just in having different metals together in the same tank. Randy Schuyler
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20th, 2010 01:38 pm |
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5th Post |
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mjc Member
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Hi, I have a similar situation. For the preliminary tank (which is just a normal electric water heater, not electrified), do I need some sort of electrical ground for the anode to work properly?
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20th, 2010 05:37 pm |
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6th Post |
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elenano Member
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No. There are other good reasons to ground the tank, but the anode will work whether it's grounded or not. Randy Schuyler
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20th, 2010 08:31 pm |
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7th Post |
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energyexpert Member
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When considering a ambient preheat tank it is important to determine the conditions "where it lives" as per Larry. If the inlet temperature is cold and the ambient conditions are relatively humid "sweating" will occur. If you plan in advance for water runoff you will be OK. If you take 70F air at 50% relative humidity and cool it to 50F the relative humidity will be 100%. So if inlet water at 35F goes into an uninsulated tank having the above conditions it can be expected to sweat. Just something to think about. It would be bad to plumb in and fill a tank only to come back later and find a big puddle of water where you least want it. David
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| Posted: Sat Aug 21st, 2010 03:55 am |
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8th Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: Agreed! Condensation could be another reason to put a drain pan under a tempering tank. If there is a lot of condensation, a rust resistant paint might be good to put on the tank. Make it black and put it in the sun  Yours, Larry
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