Adding extra insulation to hot water heater???

[Ontherock]

Is there any benefit to adding extra insulation around the hot water heater and possibly insulating the hot water lines that you can access? I have a Suburban SW6D (propane only) and with three females that like their morning showers hot, my w/h is often times playing catch up. I realize the heater can only heat x gallons of cold water per hour but I was hoping some additional insulation would help retain some heat and I figure that every little bit helps. Anyone try this already or is it a waste of time?

[davel1971]

I seriously doubt you would notice any difference. Retaining heat isn't your problem, it's the small tank and recovery time causing your issue. Only solution is to adjust showering schedule and/or habits.

[Ontherock]

I hear you but the recovery time was one of the reasons I thought the additional insulation would help - albeit a small improvement. You're right, we're staggering the shower times now to give the w/h a chance to recover. Just looking for ways to improve the situation.

[davel1971]

they have a pretty thick layer of styrofoam, which is a very good insulator.

[MNtraveler]

Are you putting on electric AND gas heat? That helps recovery time.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Are you putting on electric AND gas heat? That helps recovery time.

His is gas only no electric.

[TURBS]

Unfortunately you'd only better your situation by getting a gas / electric model.

With that being said Hott rod makes a kit to add a electric element.

http://dg-usa.com/hott-rod/


Or

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/c...oEYaAszS8P8HAQ

2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Are you putting on electric AND gas heat? That helps recovery time.

The OP stated propane only water heater.


OP, Teach them how to adjust just enough hot water to get flow. Then turn on the cold and adjust to temperature. After wetting down, shut off the shower head slide valve while they soap up. Finally, turn the shower head valve back on and rinse. Done.
The kids that ignore the instruction simply take their shower last. This is what works for us. My wife is usually last.
In other words, I believe there would be no benefit.

[electroblast]

Originally Posted by Ontherock

Is there any benefit to adding extra insulation around the hot water heater and possibly insulating the hot water lines that you can access? I have a Suburban SW6D (propane only) and with three females that like their morning showers hot, my w/h is often times playing catch up. I realize the heater can only heat x gallons of cold water per hour but I was hoping some additional insulation would help retain some heat and I figure that every little bit helps. Anyone try this already or is it a waste of time?

I never try that isolating my tank , but what I do it use 50' or longer water hose from City water tap to the TT, at least the water is getting in the TT is at outside temperature instead of been at underground cold temperature, since the water is warmer that helped me getting the recovery time shorter for Hot water.

[TURBS]

In Nashville last year it was so hot that you really didn't need the wh as the water coming in was HOT!


2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

[RamblerGuy]

To figure out if additional insulation will do anything, just put your hand on the insulation when the water is hot. If the insulation is hot, you're losing heat and more insulation will help. If the insulation is cool, additional insulation will make no difference.

[wrvond]

You might look into upgrading to a 10 gallon water heater...

[Denny B]

I was wondering the same thing?
Our Rockwood 2304KS water heater does not recover nearly as quickly as our previous Dutchman Kodiak hybrid did. And I am hoping there's a way to improve that ?

[bob dirt]

Your water heater is already in conditioned air and not outside in the cold. You have already lost with 3 females taking showers. I doubt if you could change anything with their habits

[fonzie]

You might try to add a Hott Rod element to make recovery faster.....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...kit-27224.html

[Denny B]

In our case it's only the wife and I. We take relatively quick showers, and still run out of hot water before finishing.
In spite of the stirofome insulation surrounding the tank I can still feel a lot of heat radiating from the tank and, like the gentleman that started this thread, I am wondering if more insulting can ba added to retain some of this heat loss ?

[Ontherock]

Great discussion - thanks for all the ideas!

I had never considered using a longer city water hose to help temper the incoming cold water like electroblast suggested - simple, cheap and an easy fix / mod!

Also RamblerGuy, thanks for the suggestion about checking the heat loss through the boiler by checking the temperature of its insulation. As soon as I get the w/h going, its the first thing I'll do.

I was thinking a while ago about installing the hott rod but I found myself wondering if there would be any detrimental effect on my hot water heater by replacing the large sacrificial anode with the hott rod element. Turbs & Fonzie - you have any experience with this?

Again, great suggestions! It's the reason why I joined this forum in the first place!

[fonzie]

No experience with the Hott Rod.....