Hot water tank

[D.Duck44]

I am shopping for a smallish hot water heater. Some have stainless tanks, some aluminum.

Any opinions on which tank material is to be preferred?


Thanks,
Richard

 

[Giggitoni]

Stainless. Aluminum will probably exceed the US National Drinking Water Standards for aluminum in drinking water. I don’t know the standards in Australia.

I have aluminum fresh-water tanks. I collected an aliquat of water and sent the sample to a certified laboratory for metals analysis. The results for aluminum were quite high.

 

[Lou_tribal]

Stainless. Aluminum will probably exceed the US National Drinking Water Standards for aluminum in drinking water. I don’t know the standards in Australia.

I have aluminum fresh-water tanks. I collected an aliquat of water and sent the sample to a certified laboratory for metals analysis. The results for aluminum were quite high.

Except that usually you do not really drink water from your heater

L

 

[Giggitoni]

True! However, it’s still part of the fresh water system.

 

[kchace]

Very pleased with the IsoTemp SPA series of water heaters. Exterior is Poly, tank is Stainless.

 

[D.Duck44]

Thanks for your comments. Kchase, I have just about settled on an Iso Temp Spa.
I think a stainless tank would be a better bet than aluminium - certainly have a better warranty!

 

[TDunn]

I have a Raritan water heater with a glass lines steel tank. After 20 years it still works perfectly and the hot water is fine.

 

[dhmeissner]

Very pleased with the IsoTemp SPA series of water heaters. Exterior is Poly, tank is Stainless.

+1, I just installed one of these. So far so good, it’s round and lays on its side. Heated by AC and/or the engine. Has an anti-scald valve.

 

[HopCar]

I’m a fan of the ISO Temp Spa as well. They come with a mixing valve that lets you set the temperature higher than normally would be safe. The valve mixes cold water with the hot and brings it down to a safe temperature. The effect is you can get more hot water than you would expect from the size of the tank.

I hate aluminum water heaters. They fail quicker than stainless or glass lined tanks and if you ever cut one open, there is a strange snot like substance on the tank walls.

My old company sells them: Isotherm SPA Water Heaters

 

[Portage_Bay]

ISO temp spa for all the reasons others have given. Stands up to the demands of a full time liveaboard.

 

[FF]

Just remember in a pinch the water in the HW tank , may become your drinking water.