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→Choosing a Heater Type
* A tankless-heater system designed to minimize the electrical load can be designed.
A large and well insulated water tank is pre-heated by a solar collector and/or the engine. A solar collector could be mounted on the pilothouse roof. Flat panels are easy to fabricate and more cost-effective than evacuated tubes. Temperatures in the tank can run over 180 F180°F, so a tempering valve mixes in cold water on the output side to adjust the temperature to 120 F120°F. A small tankless heater only kicks in when the temperature drops below 120 F120°F. The pump circulates a 50:50 water-glycol solution to prevent freezing in cold climates. It doesn’t operate at night.
With a typical load of 3.8 kW, a continuous operation hot-water tank is a better choice for a smaller boat. Despite its lesser energy efficiency, it has less impact on the electrical system.