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+--- Thread: Pressure tank or tankless water system? (/showthread.php?tid=3399)
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Pressure tank or tankless water system? - Noel M2 - 04-02-2008
Hi,
Does anyone know if a "tankless" water pump set-up is more costly to operate compared to one that include a pressure tank?
We have one of those Grundfos water pumps that does not require a separate pressure tank (I realize that there is at tiny tank built into this pump). I wonder if it makes any difference in power consumption between a setup that includes a larger pressure tank or this on-demand system (assuming the motors are similar in horsepower and efficiency).
I hope the question is clear.
Thanks in advance,
Noel
http://HiloParadise.com
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - Royall - 04-02-2008
Hey Noel,
I've posted about my experience with a Grundfos before but I'm still a believer in them. Cathie and I lived in two rentals before we built our house. First house had a pump and tank system and the second had the Grundfos. After being in the second rental for a year we got to love the constant county type water pressure delivered by the Grundfos. Taking a shower or even just washing dishes with the tank system was a pain with the fluctuating pressure. I've been told with a bigger tank and different pressure setting would have fixed that but I still didn't want to deal with a tank type system. I was also quoted several hundred dollars more for the larger tank added to the system.
As far as electricity goes our bill runs about $120.00 in the summer and about $150.00 in the winter. I think some of that is from all the Christmas decorations the rest from longer showers (to get warm).[
]We have a gas range, dryer, and on demand hot water system.I can't imagine that much difference in electricity. whether you use the pump on demand or let it run along time to fill the tank it still has to move the same amount of water.
The only thing I've heard bad about the Grundfos is a small $2.00 capacitor that burns out. One of these days I'll either by an extra capacitor or a used Grundfos to rebuild for a spare just in case.
All of these things I write about are non-scientific from an ex-mechanic with out any kind of degrees or letters after my name (so I won't charge you for my thoughts)[
]Royall
What goes around comes around!
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - pslamont - 04-02-2008
I have letters after my name; may I charge for thoughts?
The only thing about the pressure tank that I know of is noise. The Grundfos has to turn on every time you brush your teeth or flush a toilet. The tank we have allows us these little things without switchig on, thus less noise.
I also understand that the Grundfos will wear out a little sooner for the same reason; it just has more start and stops....
We wentwith a tank.
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - Bullwinkle - 04-02-2008
I have been pondering lately... pump noise, how is it transmitted... does it help to mount the pump closer to the water source?
how much sound actually travels through the water?, in relation to the mounts? water is a good sound conductor,
expansion bellows inline, rubber supply line, any one tried any of this?
any insights?
thanks
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - oink - 04-03-2008
I designed my system to supply both of my houses. I have a very large tank. The well, tank, punp and softeners are about 30yrds away. The pipes leaving the system area start out 2" pvc and narrow down closer to the houses. I obviously don't hear a thing. If you want the system closer to the house, make sure the pump isn't on the same slab as or abutting the house slab and have a small wall on the house side of the pump to deflect the noise toward your neighbor's house. Another advantage of a very large pressure tank is when the power goes out. Most times you will get a reasonable amount of water without power until you lose all pressure. If the power happens to go out just before the pump was to go on then your unpowered warter will obviously be reduced. With a good sized tank you should still be good for several flushes and hand washes even in the worst scenario
ps: IMHO the sound is mostly transferred through the air and the mounts. If you put it on the same slab as the house you need rubber mounts. That might even be code. I believe it is in some places. In my locale I know it's code for A.C. units. They must be on their own non-abutting slab or on isolating rubber mounts.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - Adam79 - 04-03-2008
I have the Grundfos tankless pump and would recommend some caution before buying. We have replaced the capacitor once and now the pump seems to be dying a slow death (as I posted in a previous topic titled "pump problems"). All this and we've only lived in the house since September. We weren't the first to live here but the house was finished in 2005, with nobody living here full time. Upon talking to the folks at Reed's/Hawaii Catchment Company they informed me that the life expectancy is just not very long due to the fact that it starts and stops every time you turn on a faucet or flush a toilet. I will say that the noise isn't all that bad with ours being under the house right beneath our master bathroom, though your standards for noise may be different than ours. Since we are in the market to replace ours we are most likely looking to get a pressure tank system with at least a 20 gallon tank. Reeds has been good to deal with but the prices quoted seem to be quite high. Where else might someone recommend? Waterworks? There was somebody advertising in the latest Volcano Community Association Newsletter, has anybody used him?
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - oink - 04-03-2008
A 20gal equivalent bladder seems kinda small to me. I admit to straying to the large but I got a 120gal equivalent. I would thing an 80 would be ok. A 20 would be more appropriate for an irrigation pump. Depending on prices, I would consider getting one shipped. Don't chep out on the pump either.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - Royall - 04-03-2008
I think it was the 80 gal. size they were telling me to get at Waterworks. It was like 5-600 bucks. Thats been 2 years ago so I might be off a bit with the old memory.[
]Royall
What goes around comes around!
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - kani-lehua - 04-03-2008
EAST OAHU
Home destroyed by electrical fire
A malfunction in a tankless electric water heater caused a fire Thursday that destroyed a Niu Valley home, firefighters have determined.
Honolulu Fire Department inspectors found the origin of the blaze in a crawl space under the home at 440 Puamamane St., according to Capt. Earle Kealoha.
Damage was estimated at $300,000 to the wooden building and $50,000 to contents.
from the honolulustarbulletin
Kamehameha Schools trustee Nainoa Thompson and his wife, Kathy Muneno, lived in the house but were not home at the time.
malia paha o lohe aku
perhaps they will hear
RE: Pressure tank or tankless water system? - Les C - 04-03-2008
The fire on O'ahu is off this topic, as it is about a tankless water heater as a probable source, not a pressure-tankless pump. It could be a new thread. I did hear about this fire and it is interesting to know what the inspectors thought as to the source. Bad electrical wiring anywhere in a house could be a cause for a fire, not just an electric tankless water heater. Propane fixtures could be a fire source, but the gas apparently evaporates quickly, reducing its danger. Kerosene is difficult to ignite with a lit match or ember (but it does smell bad).