Tankless Coil Water Heaters
Author: steve Published Under: Home
A Tankless Coil is a type of water heater, which does not typically have a large reservoir of water. Usually a tankless coil is connected to a boiler, which also provides heat for the house. Inside of the boiler, a metal coil is positioned that is surrounded by hot boiler water. To heat water for use in the house, water is sent through the coil and heated by the boiler water that surrounds the coil. When the water leaves the coil, which is relatively small in size, but because it is made of coiled metal tube, it increases its actual length, the water should be about 90 to 100 degrees hotter than it was when it entered.
The Importance of Regulating Water Flow, both In and Out
Since the coil is relatively small and no water is stored, the flow of water into and out of the coil must be properly regulated. If the water flows too quickly through the coil, it will not be able to heat up properly. Typically, most are designed with a specific flow rate in mind, which is measured in gallons per minute. Depending on the water pressure in the home, it is sometimes necessary to control the flow rate of cold water entering the coil, which can be done by installing a regulating valve.
In addition to regulating the flow of cold water into the coil, it is sometimes necessary to mix cold water into the hot water before sending it into the house, otherwise it could be dangerously hot. To accomplish this, a mixing valve is often added to the output of the hot water in a tankless coil water heater.
Mineral Buildups Inside of the Coil
In addition to problems caused by improper water flow, it is also common for minerals to build up inside of the coil, which reduce its efficiency. When the build up gets too heavy, it can dramatically reduce the temperature of the water leaving the coil. To address this, it is possible to flush the inside of the coil with an acid removing much of the buildup, however once removed, it is not uncommon for leaks to occur inside of the coil. So, a better option is usually to simply replace the coil periodically.
Using an Auxiliary Tank
A tankless coil can be an effective water heater, but for those that use a good deal of hot water, it is usually not sufficient. To get around this, many people install an auxiliary water tank, which should be at least 30 gallons in size. The auxiliary water tank can be connected to the coil and water sent through the coil to heat it, while being stored in the tank. The tank, which should be insulated, works best when placed above the coil, because naturally hot water will rise and cool water sink, ensuring that the water in the tank remains normal.
If this is not possible, than a pump must usually be attached to the auxiliary water tank.