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Author:
Whiskerfish (VA)
In the next 2 years I will be adding a new Master Bath to an old (1890's) house with a crawl space. The location is approximately 60 feet from the existing hot water tank (30 Gal natural Gas fired at the opposite end of the house). I am in the rough design process now. The area of the new bath is currently an enclosed porch and has a relatively new 220v 50 amp panel there (used to be a hot tub there with elect baseboard heat) so I have ample current available to go with electric or I can have a gas line put in. I can design space into the build for an additional tank. So my questions are besides the venting and gas line requirements are there advantages of one over the other? Should I look at instant systems? If I go with a regular tank could I feed it from the existing hot water system or does it have to be from the cold water side? I am thinking if I went with a small say 20 gallon electric fed from the existing Hot water supply it would give me quicker hot water and not cost a lot to operate in the long run? I will be doing all the plumbing and the electric but do not have the tools to do a gas line so that would have to be contracted.
Only 2 adults in the house but also I will be relocating the clothes washer to an adjoining space as the new bath.
Advice and input appreciated
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Author:
packy (MA)
you'll probably get 5-6 responses with each one different.
i would check the age of the existing gas water heater. if it has some age 9-10 years on it, i would upsize it to a 40 brand new tank. then feed the new bath/laundry with a well insulated recirculation wired to a motion sensor in the area. when you walk into the area, the pump will come on and by the time you open a hot faucet the water will be hot. when you leave the area the pump shuts off. you'll still have a t-stat on it so when it gets hot ot will shut as well.
keep it simple..
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Author:
Whiskerfish (VA)
That is a interesting solution. Like I said I am just starting to plan out this project. I have heard a bit about recirc systems but have yet to do any serious research regarding them. I like the idea of the motion activation as we will not be using that room more then a couple times a day I expect. We have a half bath off the Kitchen that I am remodeling now that gets 90% of the traffic during the day. I expect this new room to be primarily for Baths/showers and morning/ evening use.
Would this require a return line to the heater or push the existing water into the cold side?
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Author:
packy (MA)
a return line connected to a brass tee at the drain port of the water heater. insulate the hot to the bath and the return well.
there are plenty of diagrams on the internet.
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