Cement Lined Water heater?

[TMP>9a59]

Just starting the research phase of a new water heater for the house. I see there is a company named Hubbell that makes a cement lined water heater instead of glass lined. Their Model E is a light commercial duty, so for a home it would be more than adequate (if sized correctly). I know it would be heavier, but the location is on a concrete slab with good access.

Other than costing more, is there any real differences (advantages) to a so called "stone lined" water heater? Does it interact with softened water in a detrimental way?

I have found a few conversations where these types of heaters have a life span of 20 plus years.

Thanks

[LLigetfa]

What would be the heat source? Sure, the tank could last longer but it could fill up with lime scale and affect the heat transfer. I know that I would not want a gas water heater to last 20 plus years as the efficiency would be way off with no easy way to clean it.

[ballvalve]

I have only seen cement lined electric heaters, as they are spun coated, not possible with a central tube.

I was cutting a 30 year old one up for a trough, when I learned of their existence - couldnt quite figure why it was so heavy. No torch can cut a cement lined tank. Scrapped it, and made a bunch because they dont look inside.

I would go with it, but you need good access to move it.

[johnjh2o1]

Years ago tanks that were used to store hot water that was produced from various sources were stone lined. Many were 80 and 120 gal. I can still see them sitting horizontally on pipe stands 2'-3' off the floor. I'm sure hj also remembers them. They also were covered with asbestos.

John

[ballvalve]

This one had a georgeous copper finned heat exchanger in a set of ports which I did manage to cut out. No Asbestos. Likely a solar tank.

[LLigetfa]

I have only seen cement lined electric heaters, as they are spun coated, not possible with a central tube..

When I did a quick google search I was finding steam heated units but have since found the electric model E the OP mentioned.

http://www.hubbellheaters.com/html/modele.htm

[ballvalve]

I had another one that I welded a patch on over a leak in my poor youth, and the damn thing lasted another 15 years. "curbside pickup" built my first house.

What I fancy is building a house with those huge bales of compressed cardboard boxes. Probably win every enviro award in the nation.