How to improve water heater efficiency with a tank booster
A smart way to grow your professional plumbing business is to provide your customers with practical, value-added solutions. One relatively simple and effective way to do this during a service call is by offering to install a tank booster or tempering valve on an existing tank water heater.
Whether gas or electric, a tank booster can help improve water heater performance while increasing usable hot water capacity and supporting consistent, tempered water delivery. Depending on the manufacturer and application, some tank booster systems can increase usable hot water capacity by more than 150%. Learn how installing a tank booster can help improve efficiency, capacity and overall system performance for your customers.
Tank booster vs. water heater booster: What's the difference?
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, water heater boosters and tank boosters are not the same product.
Tank boosters
Tank boosters are thermostatic mixing valves (also referred to as tempering valves) that blend hot and cold water to deliver tempered water at a consistent temperature. By allowing water to be stored at a higher temperature while delivering water at a lower temperature, tank boosters can increase usable hot water capacity in many applications.
Water heater boosters
Water heater boosters are supplemental heating devices designed for certain electric tank water heaters. They use the water heater's existing electrical supply to provide additional heating when hot water demand exceeds the tank's available supply.
Both solutions are designed to improve hot water performance, but they accomplish this in different ways and are not universally interchangeable. Product compatibility, installation requirements and performance characteristics will vary by manufacturer.
Benefits of installing a tank booster
Tank boosters offer several advantages beyond improving hot water delivery. From increasing usable capacity to supporting temperature management strategies, they provide plumbing professionals with another safe, code-compliant way to address customer needs.
1. Tank boosters allow less hot water to be used.
Water heater tank boosters work by mixing cold water from the supply line with heated water leaving the water heater. This allows the water heater to store water at a higher temperature while delivering tempered water at a lower temperature. Higher storage temperatures should always be paired with proper mixing to help provide safe, consistent water temperatures at the point of use. By using less stored hot water during delivery, tank boosters can increase usable hot water capacity. The amount of additional capacity will vary based on the application, water heater size and manufacturer specifications, with some manufacturer-rated systems capable of increasing usable hot water capacity by more than 150%.
2. Tank boosters support consistent water temperature delivery.
Tank boosters support consistent and controlled hot water delivery by tempering water before it reaches fixtures. In applications where water is stored at higher temperatures, a thermostatic mixing valve allows plumbing professionals to deliver water at the desired temperature while following applicable codes and manufacturer requirements. By helping regulate outlet temperatures, tank boosters can improve both hot water performance and customer comfort.
3. Tank boosters help to mitigate risks
Water temperature management is an important consideration in hot water system design. In some applications, storing water at higher temperatures is a common practice when paired with a properly installed tank booster or thermostatic mixing valve to temper water before delivery. Plumbing professionals should always follow applicable plumbing codes, manufacturer instructions and industry best practices when determining appropriate storage and delivery temperatures for a particular installation.
4. Tank boosters are relatively simple to install
Compared to replacing a water heater in its entirety, installing a tank booster typically requires less time and fewer materials. This makes tank boosters a practical option when customers are looking to improve hot water performance or maximize the value of an existing water heater installation.
For plumbing professionals, recommending a tank booster can provide an additional service opportunity while helping customers address performance concerns with a code-aligned solution.
Ferguson can help with water heater boosters
Ferguson is the professional’s source for quality plumbing products. We have the water heaters and water heater parts you need to help you provide your customers with improved water heater efficiency and more.
Visit your local Ferguson to talk with our knowledgeable associates about expert supplies and solutions to run your plumbing business more smoothly.