Build your own Water Heater / Furnace Unit?
I know there are newer campers that have combined water heater / furnace units but they are pricey and not necessarily an easy drop in unit. It got me to thinking that it would be an interesting experiment to see if a standard RV water heater and add furnace capability.
Pros:
1. Elimination of one large and complex component
2. Opening up space for additional storage
3. Possibly less heating hot/cold "cycles" at night because heated water in the tank would act as a stored reservoir of heat for the furnace.
4. Possibly quieter overall (my furnace is very noisy while my water heater is nearly silent).
Cons:
1. May take longer to heat interior
The idea I was thinking about is cutting access into the stainless water tank, running some stainless tubing channel inside with inlet connection and one outlet connection. Weld it all back together. Then running a line to a radiator / fan combination that ties into the existing ducting. Cycle the fluid with a water pump and use some sort of relay to activate the water pump with the fan when the thermostat calls for heat.
Aside from the welding, I don't see this as something too difficult. I know there are some very skilled people on this forum and so I am wondering if others have toyed around with the idea themselves.
This post is about whether the idea is feasible and could be done readily enough by a moderately skilled person. I'm not actually considering actually doing it (too many irons in the fire as it is) but might keep it in mind for a future project.
Pros:
1. Elimination of one large and complex component
2. Opening up space for additional storage
3. Possibly less heating hot/cold "cycles" at night because heated water in the tank would act as a stored reservoir of heat for the furnace.
4. Possibly quieter overall (my furnace is very noisy while my water heater is nearly silent).
Cons:
1. May take longer to heat interior
The idea I was thinking about is cutting access into the stainless water tank, running some stainless tubing channel inside with inlet connection and one outlet connection. Weld it all back together. Then running a line to a radiator / fan combination that ties into the existing ducting. Cycle the fluid with a water pump and use some sort of relay to activate the water pump with the fan when the thermostat calls for heat.
Aside from the welding, I don't see this as something too difficult. I know there are some very skilled people on this forum and so I am wondering if others have toyed around with the idea themselves.
This post is about whether the idea is feasible and could be done readily enough by a moderately skilled person. I'm not actually considering actually doing it (too many irons in the fire as it is) but might keep it in mind for a future project.
