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View Full Version : Series or Parallel Hot Water Heaters


burninal
Jun 6, 2008, 03:32 AM
Currently I have two 50 gallon hot water heaters hooked up in parallel. The reason for the two heaters was to fill my large "Jacuzzi Style" bathtub perhaps once of week. With energy bills going out of sight, I was considering changing this arrangement.

What I was considering doing was to pipe these units in series and typically leaving the first unit (closest to the cold water source) on a vacation setting. My thoughts were, if one knew when they were going to use the hot tub, or if company was appearing for the weekend, then to turn the first unit back up to a normal temperature for that period.

Is there a problem with this type of arrangement? Will one of the water heaters fail prematurely doing this?

Thanks

speedball1
Jun 6, 2008, 04:00 AM
What's the capicity of your Jucuzzi? Yes, hooking the heaters in series would save energy. Normally heater number two would service the house until you cut in number one which would then pick up the load and turn number two into a "Kicker Heater" being fed hot water from number one. Smart move on your part. Regards, Tom

burninal
Jun 6, 2008, 05:42 AM
It is the equivalent of a 4 person "Jacuzzi". Even with the two 50 gallon heaters, by the time the unit is filled, all of the hot water has been consumed.

speedball1
Jun 6, 2008, 05:49 AM
You would be receiving the same volume as before. You just wouldn't be paying as much for it. Regards, Tom