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mmphoto412 t1_j6j6y29 wrote

Reply to comment by CARLEtheCamry in Is everyone's utilities pricing insane or am I getting screwed? by peon2

They either don’t know the difference between a water heater and boiler or are getting them mixed up.

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kistner t1_j6j8hw3 wrote

I work in real estate. I've seen a couple houses over the years that used a water heater as a boiler. Typically in a small addition.

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mmphoto412 t1_j6j8pd2 wrote

As in the same type of water heater that’s used for potable water?

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kistner t1_j6j9ma0 wrote

Yes, but if you use it for heat you can't also use it for drinking water. There are fancy recirculating dual use water heater/boilers out there as well but I wasn't really talking about those.

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mmphoto412 t1_j6j9ye9 wrote

I’m not an HVAC expert, so maybe one can chime in, however that seems extremely inefficient. Also you can’t run any rust or declassification inhibitors through the heating system.

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kistner t1_j6jagc2 wrote

It probably isn't efficient or I would have seen it more than twice in 30 years. But it is simple, water heater, pump, thermostat.

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mmphoto412 t1_j6jas28 wrote

Based on some quick googling, it is a thing, however it seems to be only used in mild climates.

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Kichard t1_j6jp5x7 wrote

The cold water would be fine to drink, right?

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kistner t1_j6jpock wrote

Yes. Cold water would have nothing to do with a water heater hooked up as a boiler.

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