Shop water heater type

[Speer]

I am currently wiring/finishing my building and have plumbed for a bathroom. Anybody have any suggestions for a water heater?

I really don't have a preference between a tank/tankless, but I do think electric would be easier for me. If propane is MUCH better I could make it work.

I don't have a shower. I have a sink and my wife will be using the "kitchen" area to do canning.

Thanks!!!

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

I don't know how much hot water you need for canning but I used an5 gal tank 120v just for washing hands. Cheap, efficient and compact. Hangs above the pressure tank.

 

[Speer]

I was looking at the small 5 or 15 gallon tanks and think that will be the way to go. I do use hot water everyday to mix up milk replacer for calves, but it's only about 2 gallons at a time.

 

[mygarageone]

15 gallon should be fine , I have a 20 gal in mine with a full bath room and have yet to run out durning a shower .

 

[FullRaceMerc]

A tank will have a lower electrical load than a tankless. From your description a small tank sounds like the better choice.

 

[59 wagon man]

a tank with a timer would be your most cost effiecent

 

[redmondjp]

As stated above, a small tank should do you fine - 10-15 gallon range should do the trick.

We have a 4-gallon 120V unit under our kitchen sink and it runs out of hot water when hand-washing dishes - there is enough to do the wash water, but you have to let it recover for rinsing if you want more than lukewarm water.

 

[NUTTSGT]

15 gallon should be fine , I have a 20 gal in mine with a full bath room and have yet to run out durning a shower .

Interesting and informative as to how much use can come from a small water heater.


A 20 gallon unit made me look at Menard's site to check pricing. I see that a 20 gal unit is about $100 more than a smaller 2.5 or 5 unit. Probably well worth the extra hundred dollars.

 

[ddawg16]

I agree with going with a tank.....and putting a timer on it....or, insulate it real well

They also make some decent POU electric units for use at the sink. I would go this route if space is an issue.

 

[RStewart]

Curious as to what the cost difference is with keeping 20 gallons hot as opposed to keeping 5 gallons hot with electric?

 

[samss]

The Atmor 13kw tankless has been much better than I expected. It was easy to install too.

 

[Charlie51]

I use a 5 gallon electric water heater (115v) at the shop. It's mounted under a sink cabinet and I have instant hot water. Our former mobile home used a 19 gallon (115v) water heater. We never ran out of hot water unless a teenager was trying for the usual hour long shower.

 

[redmondjp]

Curious as to what the cost difference is with keeping 20 gallons hot as opposed to keeping 5 gallons hot with electric?

If it's well-insulated, the difference will be negligible.

 

[RStewart]

thanks

 

[ticklechicken]

I went through this a few months ago and determined this tankless unit to be the best option for my shop. I just want some warm water for my sink. I ordered it, and it looks good. Still a month away from installing and testing it.

 

[tdott]

Get a small tank, turn it off when you dont plan to use it much. Turn it back on before use.

 

[kbs2244]

I go with the 5 gal electric.
Watch your use habits and maybe put a switch on it if there is long non-use periods.