Water Heater Under Garage Sink

[In The Doghouse]

20+ years ago I happened upon a used 6-gallon water heater that I've since then used in my backyard shop. A few days ago, it leaked, and fortunately I caught it before it flooded too much. I did mop up a few gallons of water, and thankfully with our recent low-humidity days everything has dried.
This was a 120v 6-gallon tank and the replacement sells for $300. AO Smith Water Heater
I see on Amazon the under-sink designs of ~ 5-gallon size for much less cost than $300. But I noticed in one review that the exterior of the heater stays hot. If that is true, it is poorly insulated and will constantly be powering up to maintain water temperature. The old water heater I could feel no heat on the outside surface.
Who has experience with these small point-of-use water heaters and what's your recommendation?

 

[denis4x4]

Look at RV water heaters

 

[d300]

I used one of the small instant-hot jobs in a remodel I did many years ago. It worked well for basic hand washing but I never tried to test its maximum output.

 

[tarmy]

I am right there with you OP….this one is about 15-20 years old. So far nothing leaking. Will be watching this thread for that inevitable day That it needs replacing.

 

[The Cobbler]

if it is warm on the outside you are definitely loosing excessive heat
You could wrap with more insulation ... do you just wash your hands? 6 gal is a lot for that, you could use a much smaller one. I had a 2 gal unit at the volunteer warehouse for bathroom, it was ample but when we added the lunchroom & kitchen sink it was too small for washing dishes. I was given a 6 gal that replaced the 2 gal unit .
the recovery on the 2 gal was like 20 minutes. If I ever install it in my home shop I will probably add it to the light circuit so it's just on when the lights are on .

 

[u2slow]

I had a small one under the kitchen sink. Ended up being too much cycling for it really. It lasted maybe 4 years, and the cord plug almost burnt up.

In a shop, I would keep in on a switch, timer; or maybe interlock it with the lights or an occupancy sensor. Then it's not on all the time.

 

[rd65]

I plan to put a small, 2.5 gallon unit under my sink, 120v plug in style. Plan is to use some rigid insulation to line cabinet in hopes the little bit of heat off the water heater will help keep the pipes from freezing.

 

[earl84]

Rheem Performance 1.5 Gal. 120-Volt Plug-In MiniTank Point of Use Electric Water Heater with 6-Year Warranty XE01MT06U0 - The Home Depot

Save water by eliminating the wait for hot water to reach the faucet. Simply tap into the water line and install the heater directly at the sink. No need for costly recirculating lines and pumps. And when you want to eliminate the wait for hot water but need more volume, install the Rheem heater...

www.homedepot.com

I have one of these under our Master Bath sink and one under kitchen sink, otherwise the water has to run like 1 1/2 minutes to get warm. For quick hand washing and small dish washing, they have been great. Installed about 2 years now, and no problems.

 

[nadogail]

I have two of them, one is in the garage where Mrs Nadogail does her plants and preps her produce before it goes into the extra refrigerator and the other is in the workshop.
I regard them as disposable. They usually last for several years.

 

[In The Doghouse]

This will be used mostly for washing hands and arms. Occasionally I need a sink of hot water for washing something. The water heater that's now broken was set for ~ 100 degrees and I usually turned on only the hot water side when I washed up.

So maybe a 2-gallon or 4-gallon water heater set to a higher temperature would be okay.

 

[mike93lx]

100 is way too low. It's the perfect temperature for legionella and other bacteria to grow...very dangerous

That really should be higher. Ideally 140 but at least 120

 

[finn]

I have one in the boiler room, with maybe 10 linear feet to the sink outside of the heater, and across the doorway. Works great for cleaning up, warms enough water for a car wash bucket, and recovers fast considering it’s only 120v.

I’ve had the shop maybe ten years, so I think it’s pushing 20.

I did put a coil for DHW when I upgraded the boiler. I’ll plumb that in when the little heater starts leaking.

 

[In The Doghouse]

This morning, I ordered from Amazon a 4-gallon Bosch water heater. Their used, but like new condition option for $165. These are typically open box and maybe scratched, but otherwise okay.
Bosch Water Heater
I'll keep the water temp set higher than I did before to reduce the chance of legionella and to balance out the new 4-gallon size vs the 6-gallon size I had before. Overall, could save some energy costs, or maybe break even.
I'll let you guys know how it works out.

 

[jpcjguy]

This morning, I ordered from Amazon a 4-gallon Bosch water heater. Their used, but like new condition option for $165. These are typically open box and maybe scratched, but otherwise okay.
Bosch Water Heater
I'll keep the water temp set higher than I did before to reduce the chance of legionella and to balance out the new 4-gallon size vs the 6-gallon size I had before. Overall, could save some energy costs, or maybe break even.
I'll let you guys know how it works out.

I have had the Bosch 7 gallon under my shop sink for 4 years now - works great!

 

[mike93lx]

This morning, I ordered from Amazon a 4-gallon Bosch water heater. Their used, but like new condition option for $165. These are typically open box and maybe scratched, but otherwise okay.
Bosch Water Heater
I'll keep the water temp set higher than I did before to reduce the chance of legionella and to balance out the new 4-gallon size vs the 6-gallon size I had before. Overall, could save some energy costs, or maybe break even.
I'll let you guys know how it works out.

Good move. Any energy saved on the lower temp isn't worth the risk.

I bet energy usage between the old and new will be pretty much a wash

 

[In The Doghouse]

I received the "Used, but like new" Bosch 4-gallon water heater. It delivered in a stapled and taped factory box that had a little damage on one corner. A trim ring on top is cracked but won't hurt anything.

Got it connected and it's working as it should. The outside of the heater isn't the least bit warm, so it must be well insulated. The plumbing outlets on top stay warm so I might wrap a little insulation around them.

Thank you all for your input.

 

[The Cobbler]

good job. some of the solder joints ( top left) look a bit suspicious

 

[dcg9381]

I received the "Used, but like new" Bosch 4-gallon water heater. It delivered in a stapled and taped factory box that had a little damage on one corner. A trim ring on top is cracked but won't hurt anything.

I have a Bosche in my "cargo trailer" - I can't tell when it's on and it's in a pretty tight spot. The only downside of it that I can see is the inlets and outlets are on the top, so no easy way to drain it.

 

[Glemon]

I have the Bosch 7 gallon, think I have had it for about 2.5 years now. You have to drain it to change the anode, but other than that no complaints. Don't feel any worth on the outside either.

 

[In The Doghouse]

good job. some of the solder joints ( top left) look a bit suspicious

Yes, they do, I admit. I think I reused the plumbing & valves that came with the used 6-gallon water heater back then. My pipe sweating looks better than that.
But they've held leak free for 20+ years, so I'll leave them alone.

 

[Stick-man]

I just bought this one, and I am waiting to install it. My brother put the same in his wifes small salon and said it works great. Myin will be placed on top of the bathroom ceiling. I will have it in a square drip pan, which the drain hose will go directly into the slop sink. So I will be able to tell if it is leaking.

Bosch 7 Gal. Electric Point-of-Use Water Heater ES 8 - The Home Depot

Bosch Electric Point-of-Use Water Heater fits under your sink to provide hot water right where you need it. UL and CSA listed product.

www.homedepot.com