Not Quite Everything You Needed (or Wanted) to Know About Water Heaters

Water heaters systems aren’t too technical and don’t too have many moving parts, yet they are the heart and center of a typical laundry venture. Simple, sure, and yet may be the one of the most complicated and misunderstood pieces of equipment in a coin or card operated laundry business. Oh, we all know what water heaters do but we don’t ever have to think about them until something goes wrong. And then its usually not with the heating system it’s self, but with the circulating pump.

Water heaters use heat from the burning of natural gas, or other fuel , and transfer created heat to the water as it goes through flues or tubes in the heater’s combustion chamber. The heated water is usually stored in a separate storage tank awaiting demand for hot water by the laundry’s customers.

Laundry owners should make sure the heaters and tanks operate as efficiently as possible if only because it will save a laundry lots of money. One such efficiency is to insulate the storage tank to keep the heat inside from radiating out and thus be wasted.

Most laundries use more -efficient natural gas. Every cubic foot of gas -releases about 1050 BTU’s (British Thermal Units) of heat. The heater’s energy -efficiency -rating is the ratio between the heating value of the natural gas and BTU output of the temperature of the -water as it is heated up.

When a water heater inputs 490,000 BTU’s, and water is heated to give 390,000 BTUs, it has an energy -efficiency rating of 80%. Most of the older laundry heaters seem to run in that range. (390,000/490,000 = 80%)

There are two types of water -heaters used for laundry. They are the standard and condensing types The latter have extra- features built in to improve the efficiency, but they will be priced higher than standard water heaters usually found in laundries. For cost of operation, condensing are usually better, laundries tend to use- -standard water heater systems because of -availability and lower purchase costs.

According to industry standards, if you have an efficiency rating higher than 84% there will be some condensation on the heater’s tubes, or along the coils which run through the heater to transfer heat to the water. If a heater has too much condensation it could cause the coils to rust and it lowers the life expectancy of the heater.

A condensing water heater has -special heat exchangers to handle the corrosive -nature of the effects of condensation. They also will have drain lines built in to dispose of the condensing so liquids can not accumulate on the -bottom of the -water heater and cause corrosion.

In the standard -category, there are low, -medium and high -efficiency water heating units. High efficiency standard units can reach as high as 84% A -medium -efficiency unit operates in the 70% ranges. The low efficiency units are below that 70% range.

A standard water heater with an -efficiency of 82%, and above, might qualify for the types of rebate -programs now being run by some utility companies. If you’re considering a new water heater, don’t buy -unless and until you have checked with your local gas company to see if they have a rebate program available.

The more efficient the water heater, the more energy you save. That is important because you can save about $150 per year for -every point gained in water heater efficiency.

If you are thinking about replacing a heater, consider getting a high efficiency model that has been designed to stop corrosion and will have a longer life. Also make sure it is -approved by -local air quality control organizations.

How long has it been since you checked the temp of hot water in your -laundry? If water temps are higher than necessary, you ‘re wasting money. Over a few weeks drop the water temperature back until you receive complaints. -Customers will let you know which setting is needed. That could save you lots of money too.

 

One of the most unpleasant surprises a laundry owner receives is when his otherwise dependable water heater system goes down. Not only can it cost an operator lots of money to repair or replace items lost to time and wear, but it can cost a loss of their business’ income as well.

Some of the potential for loss can be reduced or even delayed for a long time by a timely preventative maintenance schedule designed to keep the system working.

Most water heating systems consist of one or more heaters, a hot water storage tank and a recirculating system. For safety, there are safety thermostats and a “pop off” valve on the tank.

The things that seem to draw the most visits from repair personnel are thermocouples for the water heaters, recirculating pumps and the motors for the pumps.

In the case of the thermocouples, they are so inexpensive that many coin laundry operators keep one on hand in case of a breakdown. This way they can be down for hours, not days or weeks. Once you have seen it done, it’s the kind of job operators can do for themselves.

Pumps can last for years, if they are maintained regularly. Most will have an oil cap that can be flipped up to allow periodic lubrication. Still, it is only a matter of time until something goes wrong with pump motors or with the recirculating pump itself.

Gasket material breaks down over time. When it does, there will be a leak. These leaks are usually small at first and are hardly noticeable, unless you are looking for such leaks. As they grow, they can become more costly.

Gasket material isn’t expensive and usually available quickly at plumbing supply outlets, Still, it is wise to keep a sheet of the right kind of gasket material on hand to save travel time to and fro just to replace it. When you have the material on hand, again your system is down for hours, not days.

Pumps for most hot water systems are of a standard two inch variety. Their purpose is to recirculate water from the far end of the hot water lines back to the tank and heater in order to keep a constant and usable water temperature at the washers.

Pumps run continuously during business hours and have been known to last 30 years or more, if properly cared for. For operators, the pump is the heart of their coin laundry business. When it’s down, you’re down.

Proper maintenance consists first of doing regular checks for leaks, then lubricating the pump and it’s motor on a scheduled basis. Check once each month or so.

When the motor or pump starts to go, there is a change in the sounds they make. When they are on the way out, order replacements while they are still working. It will have to be done sooner or later anyway, so it doesn’t cost more now than it would in an emergency. Then, at a time most suitable for you and your business, you exchange the old one with the new. It’s quick and neat and there’s little or no loss of income.

There are laundry operators who will rebuild the pump they have removed so as to have another on hand for the next failure. That takes a lot of skill and patience, but to many it’s worth it.

When checking hot water systems, look to see that the storage tank’s pop off valve moves freely, and isn’t stuck. Thermostats can be checked by using a thermometer to verify they provide the right temperatures. If thermostats or pop off valves go, they are usually available locally, and easily replaced. What can’t be replaced is the income a laundry looses when the heating system fails to function and customers are not happy.

 

---