Instant Hot Water

[bluesboy]

I'm interested to know people's setups for getting good hot water.

I have a Paloma PH5 and PH6. I have a hard time getting my showers to be hot enough. I upgraded to the PH6, thinking it would have a bigger capacity, but it doesn't seem to make that big of a difference.

I'm running a 3/4HP pump to a 20 gallon pressure tank. Pressure is set to 30/50. The shower uses a single knob, which mixes the water automatically. It seems like the water is hottest right before the pump kicks on - i.e. at 30psi.

I also experience drop outs of hot water if I mix in too much cold water.

It seems like with the right combination of hardware and pressure settings that we should be getting enough hot water, but i'm missing something.

What about a 30psi check valve before going into the paloma? Seems like that would keep my hot water at a constant pressure, and not allow the pressure to get too high to push the water too quickly through the unit.

Also interested in hearing about solar hot water setups, and how they integrate with instant hot water heaters in times of little sunshine, or in the mornings when the tank has been sitting all night.

[kalakoa]

What about a 30psi check valve before going into the paloma?

Yes; the equation makes more sense if viewed as GPM instead of PSI.

drop outs of hot water if I mix in too much cold water

Yes; that cold water "steals" pressure from the Paloma, which cuts out to avoid damage.

I got the best results by adjusting the (cheap Chinese) 5L to the ideal temperature and not using the cold knob in the shower.

[bluesboy]

so that would mean a two valve shower, instead of one? that's what i've heard works better.

[hotinhawaii]

All new shower valves in the us come with an anti-scald setting. This is a piece in the valve that is set when it is installed that limits the range of temperature. On some models you can remove this little device and go from cold to very hot just like the good old days. To find it, remove the handle and cover. You will see something that has little gear teeth on it. It may just slide right off and you can put the cover and handle back on.

[bluesboy]

so i went out to inspect my valve. there is a metal sheath the prohibits the plastic knob from turning 360 degrees. It basically limits it to 270 degrees or so. I took off that metal sheath and that additional 90 degrees that it can turn provides the ability to really scale down the water flow, and apparently just the hot water flow, so the water can get really hot now! Thanks very much for that suggestion.

[lavalava]

Another PW success story ;-)

[Guest]

Might be the shower valve. I use two separate H/C shower valves with a basic pressure tank / tankless water heater. The only problem I have is if I turn the hot water down too low it cuts off, but that is expected. Also my plumbing is 1/2 inch instead of 3/4 inch, so water spends less time in the pipe before reaching the shower.

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You can't fix Samsara.

[ericlp]

I also use the cheap o chinese L5 ...

I was going to hardwire it in or hardplumb it in, but... I found it much easier and cheaper (not having to buy a shower mixer valve). We are on private water company; not sure what the PSI level is but I'll guess 35 PSI.

I just set the unit next to the shower, Plumed 1/2" cpvc right up to the unit, and glued on garden hose male connectors. I have hooked up washing machine flex rubber hose. I put a 1/4" turn valve to open right next to the shower (easy reach). For the most part, we keep the flow setting to highest and temp set to lowest except when it's below 50 degrees, then we just crank up the temp to about half. Works for us!

I figured that you'd have to mess with the mixing valve as most of these are used with electric hot water heater tanks.

Solar Heater only use tankless as a backup, IE, cloudy day, not enough sun, or extra guest people coming over putting a bigger demand on the system. If you solar hot water is sized right for the number of people in the home, it should not have to use the tankless very often.


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[Punatic007]

You may also have a water saver device in the shower head. Unscrew and remove, it's easy to locate. I do this on all faucets too.