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Tangerineman
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 09:47am - Edited by: Tangerineman
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Does anyone have suggestions on how large my new water heater should be? I have a small un-winterized cottage, currently I have a 22 GAL tank that produces more heated water than I seem to need.
Would a smaller tank be large enough?
Would a tankless water heater be even better?
Much thanks for any recommendations
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spencerin
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 06:21pm
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If you have all the hot water you need with a 22-gal tank, I'd leave it alone for several reasons. Why do you want to change it?
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ICC
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 06:44pm
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Is a new water heater needed because of a leak or other problem or is this more a question of how to potentially save energy being wasted heating more water than may be necessary?
How often is the place where this is used?
Is the present 22 gallon heater a 120 VAC powered water heater? (probably) Grid power? (probably)
Bosch used to make some small 120 VAC tank type water heaters. Likely they still do but I have not looked recently.
But IMO if you are just looking to replace the 22 gal. tank to save energy on heating and maintaining heat in that tank it will take quite a while to pay for the new unit with the potential savings.
Certainly, a tankless on-demand heater may use less energy in the long run but you should address the same question as above; how long will it take to pay for it with the potential energy savings?
If this was/is a full time use residence the saving would add up quicker than a part-time cabin.
Of course, there is sometimes the "feel-good" factor. Saving energy feels good and does have benefits wider than ones personal use. I have spent money on lots of "feel-good" things, but usually only because I can afford the cost or I derived some other benefit as well (tax credits).
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Tangerineman
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 08:06pm - Edited by: Tangerineman
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Hot water is coming out close to the colour of weak tea, it was installed a few decades ago. I worry there may be a possibility of rusting through to a leak or flood
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ICC
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 08:35pm
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You need a new water heater.
Smaller tank sizes are okay for some people; we use a 6-gallon tank-type water heater at our cabin without issues (propane as there is no grid power) . Tankless are available for low volume, one point-of-use at a time that can operate off 120 VAC. (you didn't address that query. I assume you have grid power as propane tank heaters in the 20 gallon range are rare if even available).
Check the water temperature rise per volume chart that should be published for any tankless on-demand type you consider. Our water is very cold (incoming) and many tankless could not supply hot enough water for us.
Also check power requirements if going electric and propane volume (but) requirements if going propane.
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gcrank1
Moderator
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 09:00pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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We put in a 30gal 240v electric at our (cottage sized) full-time home when the 30+ yr old 50gal died.
Once I had it hooked it up and powered up we had shower hot water in 20min and we have never run out of hot in two back to back moderate length showers, good enough for us.The recovery time with the 'short' number of gallons is definitely quick enough for our use.
That said, at the recreational cabin I know we two could do a 10gal as we get by nicely on a 3 gal bucket of sun warmed hot and a 4d cell battery op Coleman camp shower. Those are quick ones though.
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spencerin
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# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 11:03pm
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If a 22-gal provides enough hot water, then replace it with a similar-sized tank. You know it works and you won't have to mess much with the existing "infrastructure".
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Fanman
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# Posted: 27 Jun 2022 08:17pm
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We've been very happy with the Bosch LP tankless heater we put in about 15 years ago. It's had the occasional glitch, usually water pressure related. I drain it and blow it out in the fall when the water is shut off.
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Irrigation Guy
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# Posted: 14 Jul 2022 09:33pm
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I bought a used 18 gallon electric unit on Craigslist. It takes about 15-20 min to heat up when we first arrive and can handle 2 back to back showers.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:05pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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And quick recovery time too 
Got mine on a timer to save all day spinning the meter.
Have you been letting it run between visits? No need since it will come up to heat quickly if you turn on when you arrive, unless you have below freezing temps to deal with......
Id get a similar 'value priced' one at a local big box store and install it after the winter lay-up rather than have it start aging out during unused.
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Provolone
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2026 09:55am
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Tea-colored water from a decades-old heater would make me replace it rather than try to stretch its life. At a lightly used cottage, I’d probably stay with a small tank unless there’s a good reason to switch. Tankless units can be efficient, but they need the right electrical or gas capacity and may struggle with cold incoming water.
When I replaced one, I had the installer check the piping, shutoff, drain pan, and venting instead of assuming the old setup was Safe and compliant.
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philpom
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2026 07:45pm
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Interesting comments about cold water and instant water heaters. We use a Camplux, our well water is very cold and I have to set it low so we can get in the shower. If I let the water warm to room temp it's almost unusable. Works best in the winter, summer can be a challenge.
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Atlincabin
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2026 09:31pm
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What camplux model do you have?
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philpom
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2026 02:41pm
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I believe it's this one, I don't have it in front of me to confirm. Knob on the left if propane level, the right one is rate of water flow. Uses D batteries for the igniter. We run the pump off an old lawn mower battery, power bank, or wall inverter. Came with everything needed except propane and batteries. I plumbed it in and upgraded the shower head. It hangs outside and has quick connect fittings to make it fast and simple to deploy and bring in.
Camplux AY132GP43 Portable Propane Water Heater Pump Kit
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