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No-Wait Hot Water Booster

 Eliminate waiting for hot water, while the not-yet hot water pours down the drain.
 
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Many years before we bought our old house, idiots installed the hot water tank a LONG way from our kitchen and bathrooms. (Over 80' of 3/4" pipe) (I think they did this to save money running the gas line to the water heater!) So, it takes 3 minutes at full flow to get hot water to the bathroom.

I want an in-line, electric water temp booster that connects under the sink and brings the water temp up to a thermostat controlled temp immediately. I'd settle for 80 degrees, but I would like 100 degrees. As soon as the water in the hot water pipe is appropriately hot, heating is no longer required and the booster shuts off.

I picture a unit with a copper coil and heating element that a do-it-yourselfer could install, plugging into a GFI.

Should cost somewhere around $50 - $125.

—MarinaInMa, Jan 27 2003

Tankless water heaters http://www.tankless...r.com/products.html
[Worldgineer, Oct 17 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

[link]






       A good gas fired one is over $1000.
—bristolz, Jan 27 2003
   

       Well, since these are priced in Singapore Dollars (S$), current rate approx. 1.78 S$/US$, they run $112 - $168, plus shipping... not too bad! Although I need less through-put to wash my face or hands - perhaps there is a smaller model out there? Thanks!
—MarinaInMa, Jan 27 2003
   

       That plumber got you, too, eh?   

       I've been kicking around an idea for my similar situation: a hot water return line, with check valve, to the water heater tank. A small electric pump cycles the water in the hot supply loop. Shouldn't take much force, as the pressure is equal on both ends. Saves the water; doesn't do much for the time.
—lurch, Jan 27 2003
   

       I think these do indeed exist in the form of "flash heaters". Basically, the water is heated as it passes through a series of pipes that are blasted with natural gas flames. The box itself is about 3 feet square and maybe 6 inches thick. you can get about 100? to 120? in the 5-8 seconds it takes for water to flow through it.   

       Hmm....that would be....   

       /me smells wood burning/   

       about 6.5 kilojoules of energy. Not at all unbelievable.
—Macwarrior, Mar 03 2003
   
      
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