RE: [pvusers] tankless water heaters

["Purcell, Mike" <mpurcell@idwr.state.id.us>]

You could put a pressure-regulated damper in the hole in the wall to
minimize the infiltration. If you have it in an open area in the house, the
supply air could come from a pressure-regulated damper that ties into the
furnace ducts if it is forced air (that would temper the incoming air a
bit). Many locales now have a make-up air requirement in building codes, so
you might be meeting the requirement already. If it is in a closet or room
that frquently has the door closed, make sure there is a transfer grill of
some sort to avoid pressure problems between rooms. The air needs to get to
the combustion location.

I have also heard of people putting them outside the house in insulated
boxes or closets (on the exterior wall). That would keep the combustion and
its associated potential problems outside the living space. Make sure you
have the plumbing insulated well if you are in freezing areas of course. 

Mike Purcell

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian McMaster [mailto:bmcmaster@swrpc.org]
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 1:07 PM
To: 'Greenbuilding'; 'pvusers@crest.org'
Subject: [pvusers] tankless water heaters



I'm looking to install a propane-fired tankless water heater in our off-grid
house now under construction. I'm particularly interested in the the Takagi
TK-1 (aka Aquastar 240 FX) because of its high output.  Its specifications
show that it requires 110v ac power, at a maximum of 0.8 amps for electronic
ignition and computerized controls.  Apparently a power vent exhaust would
use additional electricity.   This model is not direct-vented, so I'll have
to supply fresh air for combustion via vents from the outside or from other
rooms.  

Questions: 

Anyone have experience running one of these off an inverter (a Trace SW4048
in this case)?  
Are the electronic controls a 24/7 phantom load? 

Regarding fresh air supply: I'm interested in feedback on creative ways to
supply that air in hopefully more efficient ways than an open hole in the
wall.

Thanks,
Brian


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