Long Term Storage : Help

NOT a specific Ferrari question, but a valid technical question to those who have dealt with storing a water, tank like device for long term. Might translate into Ferrari storage too....or not.

I installed Solar Panels on my home about eigtht months ago: In CA, the deal basically is, that you sell energy to PG&E which goes into a sort of 'bank account'. You use energy from PG&E, which gets a monthly billing. If you use less, than you generate you pay nothing but the manidatory $8/month transmission line charge.

This 'bank account' is based on an anniversary from the install/go-live date. Won't bore with the details of that mess, but, in my case, it is AUG of every year.

IF, and this sucks, at the END of your anniversary date, you have a surplus $$$ in your bank account, then PG&E says "Thanks for the free energy you gave us.." then they zero out the account, and you and PG&E start from zero, again, for then next years uses. IF you used more energy than you produced there is a balance owning, which won't be my case.

For me, although I sized my panels correctly, I am making MORE money on the sale to PG&E than I am using. I have several hundred Dollars now in the pipe I cannot get back...GOOD news is I pay zero electrical bill.

PG&E is forcing me to use more electrical. I NOW NEED to find more ways to use energy, electrical, than other forms to regain those lost dollars.

This morning I purchased, on-line from BOSCH, a whole, house tankless/on-demand water heater. The cost $600 delivered w/ tax etc..

GREAT!!!!!!! I can cut out my gas water heater [about $50+/month] and basically pay nothing for water heating. via gas savings.

QUESTION for anyone:

I AM NOT going to remove that gas heater from the actic. Too heavy and cumbersom, and WHY? what if gas costs get back in line, I would then have a choice. A bit of plumbing and I can be ready for whatever ails me: COOL.

I Want to keep that gas heater so question is: HOW do I put this tank into mothballs?

since many of you have dealt with long term or heard of such long term storage of say radiators etc. I am wondering the best way to store this tank for later use.


Do I just drain it, Do I fill it with a chem. of some sort, which I don't like, or ???

help, thanks
rik

 

thanks, you gave me an idea too: drying-material to position at one end to keep interior dry.

What I hope to do is make a switch-over valving mechanism to permit either electric or gas depending.

Yes the system was expensive. The payoff at the current rate will be 20 years [assuming the way I use energy & prices noted today -- prices will go up: PS There were large energy rebates/credits too from PG&E and Feds ] I am in a class where I sell at a higher value than the energy I use: it was cleaver how that was accomplished, but if you sell all day, especially during a peak time, you get more money. The time I typically use energy is during off-peak.

Saving gas, would be, now, the kicker/icing on the cake. Although, I had a natural gas BBQ installed outside, which I use almost constantly, I believe according to stats, that over 50% goes toward hot water heating : SHowers, where kids DRAIN it, washing and sometimes dishwashing, which even if a Star Energy product, still sucks up most gas energy.

I will contact the mfgr. MOST plumbers haven't a clue, from the ones I've casually inquired, since they usually tear them out or put them in and not too concerned with storage.

 

will do, looking tonight after work.
thanks....and, $1,200, yes, that sounds commercial.

 

thought of anti freeze too, with the exception it might turn, and require maintenance over time. not a bad approach, was more looking towards a 'mothballing' scenario: lights out

one of the other concerns I thought was doing the chlorine thing too, except for possible rust do to inactivity. however, might have a rust free interior. NOT up on my latest water heaters.

BTW THis heater is three years old, came new with house.

 

Thanks James:
If I read you correctly,
In a way I am replacing this with an electric, albeit on demand unit. Thought of just going the lower costing electric tanked heater for only < $300, but then, thought I would try the tankless approach as a better use of energy savings: Read the dept of energy take on electric on-demand and they were not crazy about it, UNLESS you had electrical power to spare.

ONE other reason for install of tankless is I can do the work. It's small enough and the plumbing is fairly straightfw'd. Actually should be fun, spilling water in the actic and all

I truly have no need for a backup supply of hot water. We haven't the great power outages here, and if so, I could even use the power directly since it must be converted to AC before the meter.

A dual system would still allow me to keep the gas in place for possible later use 'should' gas come down in price, I would perhaps consider a switch: not likely to happen.

Ceramic lining is good news, would mean no rust, nor corrosion to worry about, just drain and cap. will have to see.

One final aspect of this 'investment' is that I know I will NOT be in this house ten years from now. Probably out when market gets better. Not worried in Sonoma: prices typically hold their own, been there done that over 30 years and even if prices go down, they go right back up: besides I got a bargain since I built this and the others around me.

Point being: solar WILL be a selling point. I will sell this home for solar install + home sale. NOW I expect dual system will even be more of sale point.

thanks

 

good air flow, not damp unless foggy in morn. after a good dry as you say, I could just cap the ends. That may help too.
thanks