Which is the best Indirect Water Heater?

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EarthWindandFire
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Tue. Mar. 02, 2021 12:58 pm

I'm looking for feedback on a new indirect water heater. The one I have is a Superstor 40 gallon stainless steel but it's 25 years old now. I just had a quote for a new unit and they offered either the Weil-McLain Plus-45 or the Superstor SSU-45CB.

The price was close, about three hundred more for the Weil-McLain model. But, the Plus-45 is a tank-in-tank design which is more complicated so I prefer another Superstor.

Like cars, we all have a favorite, but has anyone had good luck with a certain brand or model?

Thanks!

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Mar. 02, 2021 1:20 pm

They are both good units, although I have heard the WM handles hard water better.

What is wrong with the existing unit? 25 years is a pretty good run for a water heater.

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Tue. Mar. 02, 2021 1:38 pm

Hey Rob,

I would rather replace the unit prior to any failure. The boiler is the same age, but could last another 7-10 years if properly maintained. I don't have hard water to worry about. Some people say that the quality of the Superstor isn't what it used to be. But, maybe that's true for everything.

 
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Post by ziggy87 » Thu. Mar. 11, 2021 8:59 pm

Are you on a well, and if so how is your water. I work for a mechanical contractor. We have had a lot of problems with the Weil Mclain's. We replaced one last month that was only 10 years old. Warranty was not honored, because anode was never checked and replaced. Weil McLain has also had trouble with their temperature probes as well. I would go with the HTP Superstor. They have done a lot of research and stand behind their product. There is no anode rod to deal with or keep checking. We have had zero problems with them. They also do not require yearly water testing to comply with warranty as other manufactures.
What is the warranty on your current Superstor? If it has a lifetime replacement warranty like the new Superstor, I would just keep it in service until if goes bad and then you would get a new tank under warranty and just pay for labor. I get that you are trying to be proactive. Just my thoughts. With the testing that HTP has done on their new tanks, you should get another 25+ out of a new one.

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Fri. Mar. 12, 2021 11:32 am

Hi Ziggy,

I avoid any tanks that need an anode which is why I want stainless. Luckily I have city water. I would rather be proactive and replace the unit prior to a failure which could either be a drop of water or a split seam and a soaked basement.

I might do the Superstor Pro or spend a few hundred more and get the Viessmann Vitocell 300.


 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sun. Mar. 14, 2021 1:03 am

Going on 30 years with the SuperStor at the 'rents house...
Installed in '91...

 
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Post by lsayre » Sun. Mar. 14, 2021 7:09 am

Based upon my satisfaction with the build quality and materials (all SS construction, plus amazing insulation) for my Heat-Flo buffer tank, I would suspect that they make some dynamite indirect hot water tanks. And they are made in the USA.

https://www.heat-flo.com/products/indirect-water-heaters
https://www.heat-flo.com/documents/indirect-heate ... -sheet.pdf
https://www.houseneeds.com/heating/indirect-stora ... nger-hf-40
https://www.houseneeds.com/heating/indirect-stora ... nger-hf-50

They make a dual coil line also, but only for 60 gallon and up.

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Wed. Mar. 17, 2021 8:09 am

Ok, so we went with the Viessmann. The install is scheduled for April 16th. I'll post pictures and a review soon after. Not much to get excited about, but I'm happy this house has a boiler system. I've only had forced hot-air systems my whole life.

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Thu. Apr. 29, 2021 2:14 pm

Finally pulled the trigger and got the Viessmann water tank installed. I spent extra because I'm hoping this thing will outlast me. I had the Viessmann 3-pass boiler quoted but that's a project down the line in 5-10 years. The savings wasn't worth removing a perfectly good boiler at this point. It's got a neat little manual temp gauge plus the digital that's connected to the aquastat.

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Post by cyrus799 » Wed. Nov. 02, 2022 11:59 pm

I have a Burnham indirect water heaters, this indirect water heater has an incredibly quick hot water recovery, making it ideal for households who use a lot of hot water. Since the tank holds heat so well, my family never complains when the water temperature drops to an uncomfortable level.


 
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Nov. 03, 2022 6:58 am

cyrus799 wrote:
Wed. Nov. 02, 2022 11:59 pm
I have a Burnham indirect water heaters, this indirect water heater has an incredibly quick hot water recovery, making it ideal for households who use a lot of hot water. Since the tank holds heat so well, my family never complains when the water temperature drops to an uncomfortable level.
If it holds heat so well, why does the water drop to an uncomfortable level?

 
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Post by carlherrnstein » Thu. Nov. 03, 2022 8:12 pm

waytomany?s wrote:
Thu. Nov. 03, 2022 6:58 am
If it holds heat so well, why does the water drop to an uncomfortable level?
English is difficult to master.

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Nov. 03, 2022 8:54 pm

carlherrnstein wrote:
Thu. Nov. 03, 2022 8:12 pm
English is difficult to master.
Psst, I bet they complain if the temp drops to an uncomfortable level. :D

 
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Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Thu. Nov. 03, 2022 9:07 pm

I think he meant his family doesn't have to deal with that situation. Lol

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