Alde on low all winter?

N7SHG_Ham

I winterized about a month ago. I have my 400 in a carport like storage area with a 30a service included, non metered. Today I set the Alde to 50f, 1kw. My thinking is as long as it is there and I am paying for it as part of my monthly rent, why not keep a little heat over the winter to keep condensation at bay? We live in a fairly dry climate and I have a dri z air in the unit already.

Worst I can see is wear and tear on circulation pump and the Alde electric element.

Any reason not to leave the heat on?

Sharon_is_SAM

You will want to check your glycol levels at intervals.  If you live in a dry climate, I do not think that you have anything to gain by heating the unit while in storage.  Is it possible that the warmth may attract 4 legged creatures?  I think you may benefit more by circulating air with a small ac fan.  

N7SHG_Ham

@Sharon_is_SAM thanks. I believe this storage facility has rodent control in place. It is basically in a residential area (but on  edgeof town) with the entire facility being paved. It is an almost brand new place, security cameras everywhere and two electronic gates to get to Tab. Manager lives on site and it is five minutes from house so easy to check once in a while.

4ncar

N7SHG_Ham said:

@Sharon_is_SAM thanks. I believe this storage facility has rodent control in place. It is basically in a residential area (but on  edgeof town) with the entire facility being paved. It is an almost brand new place, security cameras everywhere and two electronic gates to get to Tab. Manager lives on site and it is five minutes from house so easy to check once in a while.

Mice was my first thought, but when you said fully paved, that could help prevent. I’d still be a little gun shy, but since they have cameras... you’ll be safe! Lol

Homebodyatheart

Mine is in a locked shed on our property, just off the driveway. I only turn the heat on when I’m going to go out and watch a movie or work on some mods during the winter. I do have it plugged in all winter, but I do not want to invite any little critters to come in over winter in my tab. I think it’s a personal call for you, but that’s my two cents.

grubbster

I would get a small portable electric heater to use.  I would much rather put wear on a $50 heater than my expensive Alde.

Sharon_is_SAM

Also, I am not sure I would want to leave the Alde unattended for that long.  I am recalling how one owner’s Alde had a giant, hot spewing glycol mess - and they were there to control it, so damage was controlled.  I would not leave an unattended portable heater turned on either.  

ScottG

N7SHG_Ham said:

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Worst I can see is wear and tear on circulation pump and the Alde electric element.

Any reason not to leave the heat on?

You just stated the reason I wouldn't do. I'm not sure these things are really designed to be operating full time.

Is condensation really a problem, and if so is heating the space a bit really going to control it? I haven't heard much about water damage from being in storage. My guess is the risks associated with running the Alde all winter outweigh any benefit it might offer. YMMV.

N7SHG_Ham

Some valid points. If set fairly low, the Alde is going to be in standby a lot of the time. With hot water off, I have confirmed that the boiler does not come on and use any power if below the set point. Of course the pump is off too when below set point.

How often does an electric element in a home electric hot water heater need replaced? Not often. It seems only moving part is the pump.

I may shut it down after trying it a day or so, was just curious if anyone else did what I was suggesting.

Have also thought of maybe putting a gun safe heater in the Tab, while pretty dry climate, anything to keep condensation away is good. I use the mositure absorbers in my truck tool boxes and then do need changed periodically.

Cbusguy

If it is winterized correctly there is no reason to heat it.

I have half a dozen moisture rid disposable dehumidifiers open in ours and one on the fridge for good measure.   Hopefully they will stay a head of condensation issues

ScottG

N7SHG_Ham said:

Some valid points. If set fairly low, the Alde is going to be in standby a lot of the time. With hot water off, I have confirmed that the boiler does not come on and use any power if below the set point. Of course the pump is off too when below set point.
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My last trip of the season saw temperatures dipping near the freezing mark. I used the Alde on electric set fairly low to keep the temp ~56F. While I was impressed at how well it maintained the temp, I also noticed both the elements and the circulator cycled much more frequently than I expected (and that was with me heating the space as well). I  didn't time it but I'd say something was clicking on or off every 10-15 minutes or so.

The T@B is not exactly super-insulated and I think the Alde's gonna run more than you think...

db_cooper

I've kept the Alde on low for long periods, but now only during our short freezing snaps.  Last winter the thermal fuse on the control panel died, I think it was just fatigued.  Was cheap to replace $1 fuse and solder, but if you called Alde they would recommend a $300 control panel.