Minimizing summer heat impacts of water heater inside – GreenBuildingAdvisor

We’re “reconstructing” a 1946, 570 sq.ft. cottage down to the slab and studs. 

The project is in Eugene, Ore., which is IECC Climate Zone 4c — mixed-humid, moderate winters and warm, dry summers. 

The prior owner enclosed a ~200 sq. ft. porch across the south side of the house. This room is insulated and unheated, so it didn’t require a full permit. It has access by a door from the kitchen and an exterior door. The owner used a small, plug-in space heater in the winter.

The conditioned living area will be very tight with an HRV and one split head heating & A/C.

The conventional, electrical water heater was outside in a flimsy and unsightly insulated enclosure.

We’d like to move the water heater into this attached, unheated area for aesthetic and efficiency reasons. The only concern is the heat that it would produce in the summer may make the room uncomfortable.

We can, of course, create a decent-looking, well-insulated enclosure, but can that reduce the heat loss into the room adequately?

We’d appreciate any suggestions.