Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: steve.b on October 22, 2013, 11:42:13 PM

Title: Hot water heater
Post by: steve.b on October 22, 2013, 11:42:13 PM

Does it matter if you shut off water heater when using plate exchanger or just leave it on?

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: slimjim on October 23, 2013, 04:09:15 AM

Are you talking about the circ that feeds the heat exchanger or the hot water heater itself, if you are talking about the circ, I would leave it running, if you are talking about the tank, leaving it on will ensure that you have hot water even if the wood boiler goes out and it will only come on if the tank temp drops below the aquastat setpoint anyway so I would leave it on.

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: duke on October 23, 2013, 04:15:41 AM

I know its probably pointless, but I turn off the breaker to mine. Just gives a peace of mind that im not using electricity. Just my opinion though, shouldn't matter either way.

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: steve.b on October 23, 2013, 05:20:21 AM

Ok, thanks

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on October 23, 2013, 06:05:10 AM

I'm with Duke!  Off at the breaker!  If all heck breaks loose, just flip on the breaker and wait for 30 minutes.  The piece of mind is worth that to me.

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: golffanman on October 23, 2013, 06:50:19 AM

I put my propane heater on "vacation mode" right now, but my sidearm is giving us plenty of hot water. I'll probably end up shutting the gas off.

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: Scott7m on October 23, 2013, 06:57:07 AM

Here is how it goes.....   If your new, you def turn it off simply to see I'd it works and peace of mind

Now, here is where a potential problem arises.  Lets say unexpectedly you miss a wood fill due to work or something like that and the fire goes out and ur kids are needing baths or you when you get home.

Is it worth the 50 cents it woulda cost on this rare occasion to inconvenience you and your family?  It's simple, when you have a fire it's impossible to run out of hot water and your hot water heater can not kick on because its above its set point.   

That's my opinion on it....

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: slimjim on October 23, 2013, 06:59:51 AM

Quote from: Scott7m on October 23, 2013, 06:57:07 AM

Here is how it goes.....   If your new, you def turn it off simply to see I'd it works and peace of mind

Now, here is where a potential problem arises.  Lots say unexpectedly you miss a wood fill due to work or something like that and the fire goes out and ur kids are needing baths or you when you get home.

Is it worth the 50 cents it woulda cost on this rare occasion to inconvenience you and your family?  It's simple, when you have a fire it's impossible to run out of hot water and your hot water heater can not kick on because its above its set point.   

That's my opinion on it....

I agree with you Scott, most of us are busy enough with life that the inconvenience is not worth the pennies.

Title: Re: Hot water heater
Post by: yoderheating on October 23, 2013, 08:36:12 PM

I leave mine on until its in the heart of winter when I know I will not forget to fill the stove. But its nice to flip that breaker off and know that I'm saving money.  ;D