 | Hot Water Heater Size / Expansion Tank Yes or No? |
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Question: I am putting in a hot water heater in a week or two on a remodel I am doing. I have two bathrooms, one with a shower and bath, one with just a shower, and a kitchen with a dishwasher. Would a standard 50 Gal be sufficient or should I get a high recovery? It is myself, wife and two little boys. Also, I have about 60 PSI of water coming into the house but about 120 PSI give or take, at the street. I have it regulated down. Do I need an expansion tank? Manufacturer was explaining to me that though it is regulated down before it comes into the house, the pressure at the street is still problematic and I need a expansion tank. Several people have mentioned to me that they don't think I need it. I am confused. Finally, I have a 2500 square foot house and am debating whether to put a recirc pump in or not. I ran a return line for it just in case. I don't want to put undue stress on the pipes and our schedules are all different so a timer wouldn't even help. The first bath is probably 100-150 feet from the heater, the kitchen is above that bath and the next bath is maybe 100-150 feet from the kitchen. BTW, I am leaning towards getting a Bradford White. Any other recommendations.
Answer: Anytime you use a pressure reducing valve you must install an expansion tank on the hot water piping. The reason is that a PRV will not allow the extra volume from expansion to back up into the street. Small pump doesn't use much juice, you save on water, and your hot water capacity effective increases from the hot water piping volume. Let the pump run all the time.
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