Hot water heater

momo · Nov 19, 2008

its equipment based so I guess it goes here.

I decided that I need instant hot water ( well as instant as I could get here) so I have decided to install one of them new fangled power showers in my darkroom, I considered that as it has a hot / cold mixer and is hot almost immediately and can be temperature controlled it fits most of the boxes I need, can anyone think of any real drawbacks. ?.

bdial · Nov 19, 2008

Since the device is meant for tempering bath water, you may have a problem getting water that's cool enough, especially in the summer. But other than that, it probably would work well.
I'm very close to installing a small water heater in my darkroom because the tankless heater that supplies the house doesn't come on for the small flow I typically use for the darkroom.
Let us know how it works out.

momo · Nov 19, 2008

I don't understand what you mean by getting cool water ?. Its an electric power shower that is run from the mains cold supply and heats water up, you can turn the temp dial from cold to hot, so you get cold and hot water and anything between. I used our triton bermuda shower the other day, seemed ok to me, but I wasn't sure if its something you should use permanently in a darkroom was all.

Steve Smith · Nov 19, 2008

The only thing you can't do is reduce the flow of water and expect the temperature to remain cool and you can't put a tap on the outlet. These showers are not usually thermostatic but use the flow rate through the heat exchanger to control the temperature.

However, if your Triton shower does what you want then get something similar for the darkroom.

Another option would be an under-sink instantaneous water cylinder (have a look at Screwfix Direct) which will give you a hot water supply. Couple that to a mixer tap with a cold supply and that may do what you want. If you want more control, a thermostatic shower tap which needs hot and cold supplies may work.

Can you not run a pipe from your domestic hot water?

Steve.

Tom Kershaw · Nov 19, 2008

From experience I would advise against instant hot water heaters if your aim is for precisely tempered water. When switched on and off you will probably get a surge of cold, then warm, then very hot, then cold etc. Take a look at a mains pressure tank based water heater. A small 15 litre unit may be entirely satisfactory.

http://www.aquahot.co.uk/index.php?action=store&ctg=1&show_ctg=61

Tom.

momo · Nov 19, 2008

I have got hot and cold running water in the room, I plumbed it in myself as well as a radiator for heating, but we have a coal fired fireplace for hot water and heating and its damned expensive, as is the immersion one. I just figured that a power shower was hot water on demand and cheaper than firing coal or the immersion up was all.

Steve Smith · Nov 19, 2008

Tom Kershaw said:
Take a look at a mains pressure tank based water heater. A small 15 litre unit may be entirely satisfactory.

That is what I meant (I think) rather than the silly little things you get in wash rooms fixed to the wall above the basin.

EDIT: Yes... I've just had a look and that's exactly what I meant!

Steve.

momo · Nov 19, 2008

Well Thanks Tom, that link is a treat, cheaper than a shower and better. Now if only I can find the manual for a des 100ca I can complete my wish list...... ahh life is a bowl of cherrys sometimes, then they rot!!!!.

kodachrome64 · Nov 19, 2008

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8300: BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Now for the important question: why would you want to heat hot water?

Cattrall · Nov 19, 2008

I use the Ariston 10 liter water heater under the sink in my darkroom. It is so close that the hot is instant and the temp control can be adjusted to very low temps.
Bill

Nick Zentena · Nov 19, 2008

My boiler handles both hotwater and heating. Other then the distance from the boiler to the tap it is instant and the temp is fairly steady.

One of these days the damn plumber will install the solar hotwater panels into the system and that will give me a hotwater tank plus the boiler. Most of the year it'll mean free hotwater.

Steve Smith · Nov 19, 2008

kodachrome64 said:
Now for the important question: why would you want to heat hot water?

To make superheated steam.

Steve.

momo · Nov 19, 2008

kodachrome64.

I don't want to heat hot water, I wanted to heat cold water and have a decent supply of "cheaper than coal fired or immersion" hot water on hand when required without having to heat it up all day, for not only developing etc etc but that job I leave to the wife.......washing up.

Steve Smith · Nov 19, 2008

momo said:
for not only developing etc etc but that job I leave to the wife.......washing up.

Until she looks over your shoulder and reads this!

Steve.

Hot water heater

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