I’m replacing the original Paloma instant hot water heater with a new Excel unit and I’m wondering if it’s possible to re-use the Paloma hood that directs the hot air up and out of the cabin or if it’s better to purchase a new aluminum hood. Using the old Paloma sure looks like it will fit, but if you have any advice on this, please let me know.
Jim,
I would say yes. I have met people who have upgraded from Paloma to Excel and they did the same. Some have not put the heat baffles to the chimney for the reason of saving heat in the cabin but I would not do that.
Brian
Yes. I had a piece of ductwork made to cover the Excel (took off their top) and fed it into the Charlie noble vent. I painted it black.
Hi Jim,
I did this - Paloma to Excel - several years ago and reused the original vent hood. Try to search for the post, maybe under propane system upgrade?
I used high temperature waterheater tape (500 degree) from HomeDepot to seal the edges. Used metal shears to cut the corner edges so I could bend those lower panels outward a bit to fit over the top of the Excel.
Your units look different than mine, but the idea is the same if the parts are close to fitting.
Good luck!
Peter
I really like the custom vent hoods that you, Paul M and Bob made, and I’ll probably go that way if the old Paloma vent doesn’t work out. I purchased a Euro style heater from Excel that was a store display for good discount. The Euro style looks a little different and has a Celsius temp display.