Hoyt A. Stearns Jr. <[email protected]> wrote:
> Thinking it through, it occurred to me that you really want a rather large > pilot light running all the time -- it should put out just the right amount > of heat to keep the water at its temperature set point under the conditions > of the highest ambient temperature around the heater during the year > That's what a thermostat does. But not very well, in the case of a large tank water heater, such as the ones widely used in the U.S. To keep the water within a narrow range of temperatures, what you need is an on-demand heater close to the place you will use the hot water (the kitchen sink or bath). I have seen these in Europe. They are in all Japanese kitchens I have seen, but they are not common in the U.S. The ones in old houses in Japan are gas fired and can be turned off completely, but then you can't turn them on again. At least, I can't. There is an arrangement of knobs and buttons and faded instructions. I end up with gas flowing, lots of clicking and no hot water until someone comes in and says "what are you trying to do, blow us up?" The movie "Adrenaline Drive" depicts a similar Japanese gas-fired kitchen appliance, with levers and knobs, that does explode. Everyone is killed. That does not sound funny, but this is one of the most hilarious movies I know. Highly recommended! The explosion is early in the movie so I have not given away much of the plot. As you see from the trailer it features lots of dire accidents and slapstick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDCwGLxruww - Jed
