Indirect water heaters take advantage of an existing hydronic heating system to provide large amounts of domestic hot water very efficiently. An indirect tank serves as a priority zone on a heating system. When water in the tank drops below the setpoint temperature, fluid from the heating system flows through the tank. This fluid heats domestic water, but does not touch it or contaminate it. Energy from the heating system is transferred to domestic water through a coil in most cases, although some indirect water heaters feature a tank-inside-of-a-tank design.
Since boilers must run throughout the heating season anyway, they can heat domestic water without expending much additional energy during this period. A boiler must also operate over the summer months in order to power an indirect water heater, which can be less efficient. Using a tankless water heater when the boiler is not needed to heat the building may be worth considering, especially for those who live in areas that have relatively short heating seasons. Tankless heaters offer an ideal solution thanks to their small size and ability to produce more hot water in times of year during which supply water temperatures are higher. Find indirect water heaters, tankless water heaters, and more on SupplyHouse.com.
