I need Plumbing Help... Any plumbers out there?

[CountValentine]

I'm not sure where I was unclear in my explanation, but we're not on the same page here of how this setup works. I'll try to expand on this or find a good explainer video later when I have time.

I think we are on the same page.
Standard tank heats water to 120.
Instead, we are going to keep the tank at 140.
Mixing valve will give us the standard 120.
This increases the amount of 120 we can use each time.
Same page?
The question I have is it more energy efficient.

[notyettaken]

I think we are on the same page.
Standard tank heats water to 120.
Instead, we are going to keep the tank at 140.
Mixing valve will give us the standard 120.
This increases the amount of 120 we can use each time.
Same page?
The question I have is it more energy efficient.

more efficient then if the tank was set to standard? (which by the way is 140) No. As you pointed out the temperature deferential is bigger which equals more heat loss.
it may be more efficient then getting a bigger tank but I doubt it (square cube law)

[skyguy918]

I think we are on the same page.
Standard tank heats water to 120.
Instead, we are going to keep the tank at 140.
Mixing valve will give us the standard 120.
This increases the amount of 120 we can use each time.
The question I have is it more energy efficient.

Right, I was walking when I read it the first time and misunderstood a bit. What I said about efficiency just cancels out the additional energy to bring it up to the higher temp. There is no additional loss in the pipes because in both scenarios the water in the pipes is the same lower temp. The standby losses will be higher, but likely minimal additional cost. To your point, you definitely don't save money this way vs just leaving the same tank at the lower temp. But you save a lot vs having to upsize your tank to achieve the same effective capacity.

[ushdadude]

same story = cold from multiple faucets? Is there any faucet in the house that does give out hot water at the same time that the others do not?

I haven't tried at the same time. But sometimes my shower is hot, sometimes it's warm. Sometimes the kids bath is hot, sometimes it's warm. It never gets cold though.

[ushdadude]

If all outlets are cold then it sure sounds like the mixing valve.
Never heard of a mixing valve before and had to go to YouTube. What is the reason you have one?

the mixing valve gives you more hot water from the tank (how? you ask. magic.)

[CountValentine]

Right, I was walking when I read it the first time and misunderstood a bit. What I said about efficiency just cancels out the additional energy to bring it up to the higher temp. There is no additional loss in the pipes because in both scenarios the water in the pipes is the same lower temp. The standby losses will be higher, but likely minimal additional cost. To your point, you definitely don't save money this way vs just leaving the same tank at the lower temp. But you save a lot vs having to upsize your tank to achieve the same effective capacity.

We are on the same page. We just didn't know it.