? on hot water heater size for wash stall

[Elizabeth_S]

We're in the process of building a new barn and I'm curious as to what size hot water heater I may need. How many gallons do you have and do you find it large enough for your needs? Thanks so much!

 

[WeeOkie]

I have a 20 gallon, but sometimes I wish it was bigger. Most of the time there's plenty of hot water, but if I'm washing 3 or 4 or 5 horses right before taking them to a show, I sure could use more.

Rita

 

[Becky]

I have a 40 gallon and if you are washing more than one horse at a time, I would definitely go with that size or larger.

 

[Al B]

I have always wondered why people want a hot water heater. If the water is already hot, why heat it.

:bgrin :bgrin :bgrin

That said, here is my reasoning.

I have a 30 gallon water heater. It wastes a lot of electricity keeping 30 gallons of water hot for 99% of the time that I don't need it. When I do need it, it's good for about 1 1/2 horses. So, when it craters I plan to replace it with an "on demand" water heater. I'll probably go with the 220 volt one. It's more expensive but heats better. Since the horses really don't need a steaming shower it will be adequate.

 

[Elizabeth_S]

Lol Al.

We thought about the on demand heater as well, but have heard so many mixed reviews that we thought we'd go with a traditional heater. Unfortunately, we don't know anyone who has one we could check out. Have you ever used one Al?

 

[Becky]

It wastes a lot of electricity keeping 30 gallons of water hot for 99% of the time that I don't need it.

Just for the record, I shut mine off at the breaker when I'm not using it. I only have it on when I am bathing horses. That works well for me.

 

[runamuk]

We're in the process of building a new barn and I'm curious as to what size hot water heater I may need. How many gallons do you have and do you find it large enough for your needs? Thanks so much!

If I were starting from scratch I would look into an on demand water heater (they are propane), my sister put one in her house and it is so cool also a barn I worked at had one you never run out of hot water. They cost a bit more up front BUT they are pretty efficient and it sure is nice to not run out of hot water ever

:

 

[sedeh]

I have a 30 gal and can wash 4 horses without running out of hot water. My dad installed it for me and put in a special "flip the arm" type breaker box just for the hot water heater. I turn it on the day before I need it(really only needs a few hours) and keep it off when I don't. We also made it so we can drain the water line going to the hot water heater easily; which I do in the winter when I'm not using it so it doesn't freeze.

 

[minih]

We have a 40 gallon hot water heater. It is hooked up to a seperate gas tank, so when not in use we just shut it off at the heater in the wash area. I love mine, we are on a well and the water is freezing cold even in the summer so the hot water heater is nice.

 

[Elizabeth_S]

Thank you all for the input. We're still going back and forth, maybe someday soon we'll make up our minds so we can get on with it already. lol