Seeking Advice: Hot Water Supply

[rustic_philosopher]

So we have a large tub in our master bath and 50G electric tank heater that supplies the master bath, master shower and guest bath. I don't know the exact size of the tub but its large and the 50G is not able to fill it.

Points of note:

1. We are very rural, only have electric so gas is not a practical option in the house.
2. Plumbing is all PEX
3. The space for the water heater in question is basically 24"x24"
4. We are on a well that has a iron filter and water softener. Even so, there is still a decent amount of minerals in the water.

Options I have looked at / debating:

1. Increase the temp on the water heater and have a thermostatic mixer valve installed to try and get the 50G to behave more like a 70G which should suffice for filling the tub I think.
2. Add a tankless heater with input coming from the tank heater as a way to supplement the hot water when the tank water runs cold.
3. Perform major remodel work in the utility room where the water heater is to allow for a larger space so that I can install a larger tank.

Concerns / Questions:

1. Per option #1, my understanding is that increasing the temp on the tank heater shortens the life. Is there any idea of how much life is lost by doing this and are there any tanks / brands that are better suited to running hotter?
2. Per options #2, my understanding is that electric tankless should be avoided but in this use case of supplementing hot / warm water from the tank would an electric be fine? As a side note - this option is kind of a pain as it would require a lot of electrical work to add support for another 240v and my panels are almost full.
3. I initially leaned toward this idea from a simplicity aspect but my concern is losing space in the long run (tl;dr - we would have to lose some shelf space) to account for a now problem. From what I can tell, tankless is the future. Personally I think its still a little early given they only seem viable on gas but some day when electric is viable, I could see even on well (with additional water quality treatment) just having to switch over to more efficient tankless systems. When that days comes, the work to expand the tank area would be wasted as the equipment won't have the same footprint.

I am leaning toward option #1 mainly due to concern #3 I list in regards to future tankless use and space usage - but I know that I don't know what I don't know so here I am palms up asking for help

So does the stuff I call out make sense, am I going in the right direction or is there a solution that makes more sense that I am not seeing? Appreciate any feedback people can share.

 

[MicEd69]

You don't say what temperature you have your water heater set. Do you have small children in your home or that visit often? Do you have a thermostatic mixing valve on your tub?

Before changing out water heaters, or adding water heaters, the first approach is obviously to increase the temperature of the existing water heater. And if that didn't work, I would find the space somewhere and add a second regular electric water heater before I would ever consider a tankless electric water heater. But that is my opinion and others will probably disagree.

 

[havasu]

I agree. An electric tankless water heater is not worth the trouble to install.

 

[rustic_philosopher]

You don't say what temperature you have your water heater set. Do you have small children in your home or that visit often? Do you have a thermostatic mixing valve on your tub?

Before changing out water heaters, or adding water heaters, the first approach is obviously to increase the temperature of the existing water heater. And if that didn't work, I would find the space somewhere and add a second regular electric water heater before I would ever consider a tankless electric water heater. But that is my opinion and others will probably disagree.

• This may sound stupid (it does actually as I write it out) but I am unsure on the hot water temp as the tank has no real marking on the dial that I saw. I need to take a thermometer to the water in the nearby bathroom to check.
• I have an 8 month old but this water heater in question and tub is tied solely to the master bath and guest bath. The kids bath is on another tank but regardless I was thinking of putting the thermostatic mixer on there to make sure the water was still safe if that makes sense.
• I don't really have any space for another full size heater practically. I could makybe work in a tankless in the same place as the regular tank but as you say I was interested in avoiding that if at all possible.

In terms of increasing the temp on the tank though - does that shorten the life and are there tanks / brands that are better rated to operate in that manner?

 

[rustic_philosopher]

I agree. An electric tankless water heater is not worth the trouble to install.

You agree with just upping the temp? If so, do you have any opinion on tank life and brands / models that support that operational mode?

 

[lmcancu]

Have you checked whether you have burned out elements in your existing water heater? What is the wattage rating on it? Check first whether the water heater is actually working properly. If not, repair and replace it. I don't know how big your tub is but a 50G heater should be more than sufficient

 

[havasu]

You agree with just upping the temp? If so, do you have any opinion on tank life and brands / models that support that operational mode?

Electric W/H's in general suck. Get NG if at all possible.

 

[rustic_philosopher]

Have you checked whether you have burned out elements in your existing water heater? What is the wattage rating on it? Check first whether the water heater is actually working properly. If not, repair and replace it. I don't know how big your tub is but a 50G heater should be more than sufficient

I think its working correctly as we do have hot water in general - just only about enough for 2/3 of the tub (it is a pretty deep soaking tub).

I am still curious though as to the lifespan concern with the water heaters though and if any brands are suited to running hotter. I mean, maybe I am misunderstanding that but I thought it was a concern with higher temps?

 

[rustic_philosopher]

Electric W/H's in general suck. Get NG if at all possible.

NG isn't an option, only electric where I am at.

 

[havasu]

I figured as much. A tanked electric W/H has time to get hot, but have yet to see an electric tankless W/H that a customer is satisfied with.