Another very interesting and relevant discussion here. We really need to do CHEAP solar water heating, but haven't had much time to look into it yet.
Regarding the on demand heaters, I had a small one (for under sink) for the shower at my previous place and if you're on city water with constant pressure, they're great. However, we're hauling our water and have a pressured system and that makes for greatly varying temperatures UNLESS you got the kind with a thermostat. When the pump comes on and the pressure goes up, the water gets cooler and then as the pressure goes down again, it gets hot. It was a bit annoying to constantly have to adjust while showering.
I've thought about using an on demand heater for "hot springs" in a closed system (maybe as backup to solar), but that's still in the dream stage.
Christine
At 01:28 PM 11/10/2010, you wrote:
I have an on-demand heater that I have used to fill a huge claw foot tub many times, and it does great. I was recently given a hot tub and was considering using that heater to fill it, at least once :)
The heater I have wasn't too expensive, about $150 on ebay. In the summer it needs less gas and more water flow, in the summer more gas and less water, but once you get it set for the incoming water's temperature, the output is consistent for as long as you want to let it flow. One 30# bottle gave me showers all summer, but I'm sure the hot tub will consume a few pounds in one filling.
The disadvantage is that it's not a closed system so to reheat the water you would need to use the hot tub's electric heaters or have a pump to recirculate it through the heater.
spaceman All opinions expressed or implied are subject to change without notice upon receipt of new information. http://Starship-Enterprises.Net
On 11/10/2010 9:31 AM, JUDITH WILLIAMS wrote:
Has anyone used an on demand water heater to heat a hot tub? Would this be wildly impractical? I would love to have an outdoor water feature where I could soak but am not up to figuring out solar or anything like that.
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