12vman.com

A description on how I heat my water for showers.and stuff..

I found this idea while helping a friend install a small solar system in his home. We shut everything down but forgot to turn the propane water heater back on when we were done..

The next day, he took a shower in the morning and noticed that the water wasn't as hot as normal. He then remembered that we hadn't adjusted the water heater. He stated to me that "the water was warm enough for a comfortable shower without mixing any cold water with it"..

I said Hmmmm...

For years I heated water with a kerosene heater setting in front of a 35 gal. drum. It worked but suked in the summer. Made the house so hot at night and I was tired of messing with kerosene. (I don't miss it a bit..)

I purchased a standard 30 gal. propane water heater. I was going out on a limb knowing once that I hooked it up and it didn't work, I couldn't just take it back. I was running on hope, I guess..

Anyhow.. I hooked it all up to the plumbing, pumped it full of water, connected the propane to it and fired up the pilot light. I left the temperature control set on "pilot" knowing that the burner would never kick on. (I didn't want it to) All I wanted was the pilot light to operate..

While observing it, I noticed a lot of heat was escaping through the flue at the top. (I didn't vent it to the outside) Figured I didn't need to vent it because all that would burn is the pilot light..

I figured that if I was to restrict the flue opening at the top a little, more heat from the pilot light would remain inside of the tank longer and heat the water faster and hotter. I positioned a piece of the heavy duty aluminum foil over the flue opening at the top of the tank and punched a few holes in it with a pencil and watched the pilot light. The pilot light went out! (I had it restricted too much.. exhaust smothered it) I punched a couple more holes in the foil and watched the pilot light again. This time it stayed lit! Just had to let it breath a little more..

One thing to note here.. I store my water inside of my living area so it stays near room temperature. I had a lot of faith that this would work being I only needed to increase the water temperature from basic room temperature. If I was pulling water from a well, it could take days to heat it.. (that was my theroy anyways..)

Anyhow.. After waiting 12 hours or so to see if I would get a cold shower in the morning.. I was pleasently surprized!

On the first day, the water was luke warm, very comfortable. 2 showers were taken from it that morning and we both went to work. That evening, we used some to do dishes and to clean up a little. The next morning, the water was twice as hot as the day before! Almost too hot to get under! I had to move the shower head up towards the ceiling as far as I could so it would cool down a little before it hit my back! I'm impressed at this point!!

I have a single valve in the shower with no means of mixing cold water with it. (I never had to before..) I didn't need the water quite this hot so I just punched a couple more holes in the aluminum foil that covers the flue. (the restricter) This allowed more air to flow through the tank and not to allow so much heat to build up so it wouldn't get so hot!! LOL..

After a little playing around with the foil, I finally have it adjusted to the temperature I want it. (150-160 degrees F.) Not scalding but a very warm shower. (even makes a little steam..) The temperature varies a little between summer/winter but not enough to mess with. I found the sweet spot and let it be..

I've been using this set up now for 4 years or so without any problems at all. I always have a comfortable shower and if I want hotter water for dishes, I just heat a pan full up on the stove and add it to the sink..
~Don