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Post by sandy on Feb 21, 2006 0:41:44 GMT -5
How many of you have heated water in the barn? The only way I can give my horses a bath with warm water is to walk them all up the hill to the house, screw a hose onto the kitchen water faucet, open the window and run the hose out. The horses stand in the driveway and I tie them to a deck post.
I am trying to find a cheap way to bring heated water to the barn. I thought of a small water heater, which would cost around $200, and a small pressure tank. Then I could just drain it in the winter, as I wouldn't be bathing then, anyway.
Does anyone know if a set up like this would work?
sandy
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Post by beckys on Feb 21, 2006 7:47:22 GMT -5
Sandy,
I have a 40 gal water heater in my barn. It is in my groom room that is heated in the winter, so I don't have to drain it, but I do know of others that had their water heater in an unheated area and by draining it before winter, they never had a problem.
You should be just fine as long as you drain it. I woudn't go with less than 40 gals as you won't be satisfied. I know I started with a small water heater and there was never enough hot water. It was replaced with a 40 gal.
If you don't want one permanently installed, you might look into one of the 'on-demand' portable hot wash systems. They operate with water from your garden hose and are heated with propane cannisters that you can purchase or refill. I know those provide satisfactory hot water for bathing.
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Post by sandy on Feb 22, 2006 22:17:13 GMT -5
Becky, do you need a pressure thank with that water heater? How does the water get forced out of it. Do you have a regular garden hose connected to the water heater?
sandy
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Post by beckys on Feb 23, 2006 9:45:44 GMT -5
Sandy, What is your water source for your barn? My barn is on the same water system as my house. I'm on a well and the pressure tank is in my well house. So, I have the same water pressure in my barn that I do in my house. Actually, I think it's better in the barn!  Yes, I just attach a garden hose to a 'yoke' that has hot and cold water by the water heater. I have hot and cold faucets there and can adjust the temp coming out of the hose that way. Sort of like your washing machine. |
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Post by Heather T on Feb 23, 2006 14:20:53 GMT -5
I know of some people that use the electric bucket heater to heat up water in the winter time. YOu have to be careful with it, but it works. We take it to shows to heat the water for the beet pulp and for shaving.  |
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Post by sandy on Feb 23, 2006 20:12:34 GMT -5
Heather, I don't need hot water in the winter, as I only want it for bathing and there's no point in bathing in the winter. They all have heated water buckets in their stalls, so their drinking water is warm at least.
Becky, my well is up by my house, and they tapped into the well and ran a line down to the barn. I get water down there because they put in a frost-free pump. I guess I'm sort of stupid about these things, because I just assumed the water came out of the frost-free pump because it was running down hill, and that's how we get the "pressure" to keep the thing running.
Our pressure tank is in the basement in the utility room, with the water heater and furnace, so I don't think that's the same pressure tank that runs the water to the barn.
I think I'm going to call the person who ran the water line down and ask him if I'd need another pressure tank down in the barn.
sandy
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Post by beckys on Feb 24, 2006 7:47:11 GMT -5
Sandy, if the water is coming from your home water system, you won't need an additional pressure tank. It's all part of the same system! You already have water at the barn; all you need is the water heater!
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viki
Fly Swatter
Posts: 21
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Post by viki on Feb 25, 2006 13:56:49 GMT -5
Sandy,
I recently purchased a Coleman Hot Water on Demand from Country Store. It was the best price I found. I got an attachment to hook it to a water hose for continuous feed. Will heat 40 gals per charge. Has an internal, rechargeable battery. It heats using one of those little propane canisters you can get in WalMart in the camping section. ($4 for 2) I had to go to Lowe's to get additional tubing for output though. What it comes with is great for bathing dogs but not horses! Not long enough! Now I'm looking forward to those Spring baths! Should be MUCH better on the horses! ;D
I got it for only bathing! Haven't gotten to use it yet, but am really excited about it!
Viki
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