- Thread starter cruzan1
- Start date
Hot water heater
I’ve never seen one. Is like to suggest that you look into an on-demand hot water heater. They sell both propane and electric. We have 3 propane’s, purchased at Ferriteria Americana. One in each bathroom and one that’s shared between the kitchen sink and the washing machine. They work great.
My friend last year bought a an electric water heater (like you describe) which he said is Made in great US of America, can't say if it is 50 gallon though, smaller I think. But it looks the part, unlike the cheap local blue colored ones they mostly sell here.
But I thought they all have a thermostat (otherwise how they avoid boiling the water etc.), there was one cheap one with damaged thermostat in the neighbor's house and it was leaking, so would not stop heating, that ran over 10k pesos in electric bills in a few weeks, before it was found out - check regularly.
We have propane gas on demand here, it is okay and very economical except you need good water pressure for it to work properly, if you are on high floors that could be an issue - maybe electric ones don't have this requirement.
But I thought they all have a thermostat (otherwise how they avoid boiling the water etc.), there was one cheap one with damaged thermostat in the neighbor's house and it was leaking, so would not stop heating, that ran over 10k pesos in electric bills in a few weeks, before it was found out - check regularly.
We have propane gas on demand here, it is okay and very economical except you need good water pressure for it to work properly, if you are on high floors that could be an issue - maybe electric ones don't have this requirement.
True about the water pressure, but they do sell small pumps you can attach to the water line if that happens, or if, as in our case, you are sometimes using water from a tinaco when electricity is down. The pump works well on an inverter.
In addition to the T&P valve which absolutely must be installed, here's why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGWmONHipVo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bU-I2ZiML0
It's also important to replace the anode rod every year. The hardness of the water here sitting in what is simply a heated storage tank will corrode the inside of the tank in no time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGWmONHipVo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bU-I2ZiML0
It's also important to replace the anode rod every year. The hardness of the water here sitting in what is simply a heated storage tank will corrode the inside of the tank in no time.
I have a 10 gallon tank with a timer. I set the timer on 20 minutes every night when I go to bed, and have enough hot water to take a nice hot shower every morning and a warm shower in the evening.
Using a timer makes a big difference.
I have two 12K inverter split A/C's as well, an over/under washer/gas dryer and my electric bill runs about 1200 pesos a month.
Using a timer makes a big difference.
I have two 12K inverter split A/C's as well, an over/under washer/gas dryer and my electric bill runs about 1200 pesos a month.
I have been looking for a timer for our hot water heater. Do you have any details of the timer and where you bought it?
Thanks
Ferreteria Americana has them, but they are silly expensive.
Amazon has them for 13 bucks:
https://www.amazon.com/Century-60-M...mr1&keywords=manual+wind+countdown+timer+110v
I'd hazard to guess I have a heater with good insulation, although I have had the same experience with the last three I've owned.
If yours isn't holding heat all night, I'll bet you have a leak in one of your hot water pipes. That's happened to me too.
That will do it in a heartbeat.
it could also be yours is not heating the water very much. It has to get hot to hold until the next morning.
Besides the insulation, the location of the heater is also paramount as heat may be lost due to exposure to outside weather.
I don't want to sound negative but our poster needs to remember that trying duplicate the NoAmerican life here can be problematic
I know a washing m/c in Cabrera...
perfectly good Samsung or LG that needs constant repair due to the power surges blowing the motor.
About $200US a fix.....
Maybe , just maybe, a natural gas hot water tank (converted to propane) would work here
but most of us use the on demand type.... for a reason
Go with flow - is the advice
Reinventing a wheel might be futile
Just saying.......
I know a washing m/c in Cabrera...
perfectly good Samsung or LG that needs constant repair due to the power surges blowing the motor.
About $200US a fix.....
Maybe , just maybe, a natural gas hot water tank (converted to propane) would work here
but most of us use the on demand type.... for a reason
Go with flow - is the advice
Reinventing a wheel might be futile
Just saying.......
I use a heavy duty appliance 24 hour timer set to run for 30 min twice a day. so far so good. they will burn out but I have only had to replace 1 in 3 years cost 600rd. always have hot water, its about a 30 gal tank
The $60 criolla water heaters last 2 years, no anode but does have a thermostat.
I use kasa / tp link smart switch, rated for 1500 watts, has worked two years no problem at all. Runs half an hour when I wake up plus after work, and anytime I say Alexa turn on the water heater...
I use kasa / tp link smart switch, rated for 1500 watts, has worked two years no problem at all. Runs half an hour when I wake up plus after work, and anytime I say Alexa turn on the water heater...
Have been using propane "instant water heaters" for 6+years. One an imported and very expensive Rheem, and 2 very modestly priced Dominican ones. The rheem required an electrical connection to operate the start-up, but the dominican ones work on a battery.All worked well for us except for the one the rats got into consuming all the wires. These are very efficient as they fire up only on demand.
Curiously, we seem to use cold water most of the time as cleaners here work well in cold water. Cept for showers of course! Please remember,- hot water does not kill germs,- boiling water maybe!
Curiously, we seem to use cold water most of the time as cleaners here work well in cold water. Cept for showers of course! Please remember,- hot water does not kill germs,- boiling water maybe!
The inverter type A/C's made a huge difference in my electric bill. I used to pay around 2300-2500 a month with two regular type splits.
In my case, my A/C runs from 5 pm to 5 am. I never run both at the same time. I have them set at 78 degrees, which feels cool when I walk into the room, but barely noticeable after 5 minutes.
I use my Microwave sparingly, try to keep my fridge closed (and full of bottles of water that hold the cold) and wash and dry 3 loads of clothes every week.
I have an LED TV and watch it for an hour a day during the week, and 5-6 hours a day on weekends.
And, the water heater that is on for 20 minutes each day.
Simple stuff, but it adds up.
Try signing up for 'miconsumo' with EDESUR and have them send you daily reports of your consumption and start from there.