Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

N2Futur

Sep 17, 2003, 8:35 AM

Post #1 of 3 (4061 views)

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Waterheaters

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just wondering what type of water heaters are common in Chapala/Ajijic area. We are about to replace our standard 50 Gallon tank American water heater with a German Bosch Aquastar On-Demand water heater.

Solar water heaters - is this also an option - if so - does anyone have an idea if they are very expensive?

Thanks for your input,

Elke
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"When choosing between two evils, I always like to pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West

(This post was edited by N2Futur on Sep 17, 2003, 11:25 AM)

Esteban

Sep 27, 2003, 3:37 PM

Post #2 of 3 (4019 views)

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Re: [N2Futur] Waterheaters

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My neighbors have two of the Bosch water heaters and love them. It sure beats keeping 50 gallons of water heated day and night especially in your area where the temps get cold. However, you have to engineer your place and buy the correct heater. Water pressure, gas pressure, clean water and clean gas lines are a necesity. If you don't have those, you run into problems. I have a friend who built his own solar water heater by putting a black tinaco inside of a brick/insulated box. He covered it with glass and it worked. Although he had to put the intake pipe higher in the tank to catch the hottest water. I think it works better as a Pre heater than providing the temps he wants on a permanent basis. However if you are heating the water before the gas heater, you save on your gas bill.

mkdutch

Oct 2, 2003, 10:55 AM

Post #3 of 3 (3991 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Waterheaters

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Great reply, Esteban, couldn't agree more. An added benefit of on-demand heaters is that once they are cranked up, you have a continuous flow of hot water until you turn off the tap.. Ever been in a shower and had your old tank heater run out of hot water in the middle of your shower? Never happens with on-demand.

One suggestion for your friends' solar heater: if a small recirculating pump were installed in the reserve tank, the outlet could be placed in a lower (better) location. That pump could be powered by conventional or solar electric panels. Higher cost, but a better system.