Hot water heaters in the North Woods

Pete or anyone with COLD water climate.

We hav our water coming from a Well that's maybe 39 degrees at it's warmest in the summer.

WHat have you guys done for you hot water setup's?

My mom is getting quoted $3000 to put in 2 50 gallon hotwater heaters...

I was planning on just installing this for her this fall, I figure this is more then enough.

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2751551-c-8690.htm

We have an electric 50 gal traditional water heater from Ace Hardware up at the cabin. Works just fine for us. I think it was 200 bucks. Pretty standard stuff, really.

Peter,
Considering the plumber what's to install 2-50 gal. units, I'd guess they are electric. Electrics have a poor recovery. No natural gas or propane? My well water is cold as well but I've never had a problem with the 40 gal. gas in the house. Yes, waiting a few minutes after my daughter takes one of her epic showers is required!! I'll typically use the shower in the new shop. It has the "side arm" hot water tank hooked up to the hydronic heating boiler. I've never run out with it.

electric /heat pump units have pretty good current rebates here , i think they are appr 1800.00 with a thousand dollar rebate on 50 gal units .not sure if you have the same rebate system there though.. by the way coming soon all tanks 50 gal or over will be reconfigured to have heat pumps . if you are filling a 65 gal+ hot tub you might not get enough from it .

the tankless(199k btu) will supply far more water than the 50 electric so the electric is not needed   also dont forget the 50 gal electrics will be heat pumps

gun-driver wrote: Are we talking hot water heat or just domestic hot water supply.

Domestic HW. Unless there's a leak, hydronic doesn't need make up water.

Paul,
Now I understand. Yes, many have used the "economy" version using a domestic HWH for hydronic heating but I have a feeling that's not the case here. I still have a suspicion that Peter is talking about electrics with the poor recovery. The house may not have propane or natural or the other possibility the house is on oil. My in laws house up north is on oil, they always had plenty of guests so they ended up with 2 - 50 gal. electrics. When they don't have a house full, they turn the first 50 gal off. It then acts somewhat like a buffering tank.