Preparing for a new water heater....

[Existential Angst]

Awl --

Apropos of the recent threads on anodes, tank/tankless, etc, what are the alternatives to running off to HD/Sears on the day my water heater goes? Are there water heaters out there that are demonstrably superior to others? Review sources? Can they be shipped in a timely way?

Consumer reports has ratings... but they hold them back.... an otherwise good discussion.

got the ratings?

More discussion here:

Ahm thinkin electric -- but even with the better thermodynamics, more expensive, fuel-wise, apparently.

[Cydrome Leader]

There's always commercial units, like from AO Smith. They'll start in larger sizes though. It's anecdotal, but I've not seen one rust through on the 6th year like the stuff at box stores. They must be making strange fractional guage sheet metal in china that's engineered to rust through the second the warranty is up on regular water heaters these days.

[John Keiser]

I have an 80 gal. Ruud electrical unit that's been trouble free for 25+ years. I'd guess all things being equal, comparing empty weights of the units might imply a heavier gauge tank.

[Andy]

I agree with you about A.O.Smith.

My mothers has one that is going on 12 years.

Contractors buy a lot of them as well.

Andy

[Dean Hoffman]

CR didn't actually rate the water heaters. The Buying Guide is it for information. Natural gas annual operating expense is about half of electric based on national averages according to them. CR said go for the longer warranty since those are generally built better.

[Nate Nagel]

I like gas - much faster recovery if you have lots of housemates and/or a schedule that requires taking a shower soon after doing laundry, etc. Electrics just can't keep up. Gas water heaters are more expensive than electric to purchase, but IMHO it is well worth it.

I would also recommend replacing the (likely plastic) drain valve with a dielectric nipple, ball valve, etc. as suggested before pre-installation

- you'll feel much more confident about flushing out the sediment every year and therefore will be more likely to actually do it.

nate

[bob haller]

after a lifetime of running out of hot water my current tank is 75 gallons 75,000 BTUs... endless hot water:) without the downsides of tankless:) I have 2 washing machines, a dishwasher and 3 people living here

My last tank was 50 gallons 75,000 BTUs, when it started seeping I couldnt find a 50 gallon tank so I went with the 75 gallon one.... the

50 gallon tank was fine.....

Friends have wimpy 30 and 40 gallon tanks 25,000 BTU...... I couldnt live with that:(

the better tank doesnt cost that much more and my theory. a small tank means the tank itself cycles hot cold a lot, where larger tanks with more BTUs lead a less stressful life, they dont got hot cold so much

[Vic Smith]

Menards. That's what I did. Just measure height of vent, water fittings and gas fitting placement so you can pick up any needed fittings or vent. I got one real close in size but still needed to pick up a couple nipples to get the same fit. Richmond 40 gal, 6-year. Cheap, but I never had a tank that didn't last 15 years or so. It's a "not broke, don't fix item," and I don't keep a spare. No big deal going even a few days without a water heater. You can heat water in pots if you can't replace it right away.

[Doug White]

Cydrome Leader wrote in news:kehk77$dq7$ [e-mail]:

My mom has a gas AO Smith domestic unit. We're thinking we might want to replace it. It's only 25 years old, and still appears to be fine, but it's probably living on borrowed time. I'm just starting my search.

I have no idea if the current AO Smith units are this good anymore, but that's where I'm starting.

Definitely go for the model with the longest warranty. I think AO Smith typically does 10 year. I'd also check that whatever you get is still made in the US.

Doug White

[George]

Why would someone who is a total expert on thermodynamics and sh*t need to ask?

[Congoleum Breckenridge]

On 2/1/2013 6:26 PM, Existential Angst wrote:> Awl -- >

I'm happy with my GE 40gal, 12yr, with 40,000 btu burner that I bought at Home Depot last summer. The 12yr models have twice the insulation than the 6 & 9 yr models. Plus if you have a HD credit card, you can get 6 months same as cash.

[Transition Zone]

[Nate Nagel]

Pull the anode and have a look - if there's no wire showing, replace it (the anode that is) and enjoy hot water for another 20ish years :)

nate

[Existential Angst]

I don't know the ideal gas law or what it means..... I never heard of Carnot, and certainly didn't know engine effic was related to temp. I certainly didn't know the two could be combined wrt compression ratio

But, on the brite side, you proly give very good head.

[Stanley Schaefer]

If you're in the US, your electric bill is about to take a big hike. So gas would be my recommendation. As far as which one, there was only one make and model that fit the utility closet where it lives at my place, so that was an easy choice. If you get a glass-lined one, blow it out regularly and it's got more than a skimpy insulation blanket, you'll probably be happy. Probably a long warranty will cost more, but might mean that the company put more than tomato can metal in the tank. Needed capacity is going to be determined by how many people you've got in the place, how many showers they take and how many loads of laundry a week you do. I know my folk's gas and water bill took a steep dive after my sister moved out.

Any ratings you see are NOT going to be about durability, are purely running costs. Most retail models will have sticker on them at the store with that info. And they'll be biased towards the high-end computerized models. They probably won't last long enough to pay off the replacement of a simple pilot light with all the extra hardware.

Stan

[Doug White]

Transition Zone wrote in news:8ce6d30e-658e-4a54- [e-mail]:

Their home units also have half the warranty duration of the better residential models.

No thanks.

Doug White