Hot water

[jbosh44x]

Hi all,

I currently have a Yard Hydrant in my pole barn that I have connected to my stainless steel sink via garden hose. I attach and unattach as needed in winter because it can get cold in my building if I dont have the wood stove burning and dont want it to freeze and back up. It works fine for everything I do, but Im looking to get some hot water via the sink as well for cleaning fish, washing things, etc. I have looked at a few options and was just curious as to what others thought would be best. I would use it every so often, a decent amount of water at a time. I have looked into 5 or 6 gallon tank water heaters, electric tankless, and propane tankless like in a camper shower ( i think I could rig it up to have cold and hot on the sink, but may be wrong.) Any thoughts or suggestions as to what would be best?

 

[Stuart in MN]

I would use it every so often, a decent amount of water at a time. I have looked into 5 or 6 gallon tank water heaters, electric tankless, and propane tankless like in a camper shower

For your described use, I think the 5 gallon tank heaters are your best bet - the electric ones are cheap and easy to install, and they're simpler and require less maintenance than a tankless.

 

[58Yeoman]

I bought my place in 08, and the shop was already built with power, but the hydrant was outside. The PO had run a water line into the shop, but no sinks, etc. I put in a wash sink, and ran the drain through the wall to a drain tile. I heat taped the water lines and insulated it, but still only had cold water.

Last year, I installed a 120V 7 gallon heater, and taped all those water lines also. I'm not out there often, and it will sit unheated for weeks or months at a time when I'm not working on a project. The water lines survived just fine, and of course the water heater is hot, so it didn't freeze, either. I think I have the heat setting on about 80*, which is fine for washing hands, etc. Hope this helps you.

 

[rburke65]

I never thought about turning the water heater down that low but it has to be better than the ice cold water from the well. Thx

 

[zippyslug31]

I'm in the same boat and when I get around to adding hot in the shop, I plan on looking at propane RV tankless water heaters. I believe they are a little pricey, but I like the idea behind them (no serious power needs and no tank to keep warm). No idea how I'll deal with the small amount of 12vDC that I presume they need to operate.
Just adding another idea in the mix. Be sure and do your own research first however... I sure as hell have NOT yet! When I look into them, I might decide it's the stupidest thing ever.

 

[mike93lx]

Very dangerous to have the water heater that low. Breeding ground for nasty bacteria, like legionella.

 

[Bretny]

We use a iheat propane on demand to shower when camping. It almost puts out to hot of water. Also has a drain valve for cole weather operation. But we use this in places with no running water and no power, we use 12v rv pump. You have 120v available so personaly i would use a point of use water heater. I beleive they sell them as small as 3gal and plug right in.

 

[jbosh44x]

thanks for the responses..from the sounds of it, the electric tankless is out. ill do some more research on the propane vs small tanked