Water heater recommendations? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter bigndn
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There's a couple of good threads here about water heaters, what it boils down to is there are very few manufacturers and they're all pretty much the same when it comes to tanks.
I looked into getting a tankless water heater -as discussed on Mud someplace- and gave up on the idea, mostly because of costly needed flue retrofit. Got a medium level Kenmore tank unit that will likely last 5 years or more and is likely a much more cost effective way to go.
I like the AO Smith..use a ton of them here. Just stay away from the new computerized models...theres some documented issues with the blower prover switches the company will not back up...but the standard ones have been pretty reliable.
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
Water heaters are only as good as the water that goes in them, tankless or not.
I looked into tankless also, not cost effective for us..We have a Rheem Guardian going on 9 years. (Boston must have crap for water).
When you replace it, pull your anode rod, and post up, should be a good indicator on you local water.
I looked into tankless also, not cost effective for us..We have a Rheem Guardian going on 9 years. (Boston must have crap for water).
When you replace it, pull your anode rod, and post up, should be a good indicator on you local water.
likely worth checking the anode every couple of years or so, I think, at least for the cheapos. My last heater just rusted through, although admittedly it did take 20 years for that to happen. Then again that was a super HD huge affair with probably a commensurately big anode. Typically pretty easy to check.
When you put in a new heater, it's probably worth thinking a few minutes about how to rig it up so it's easier to change and connect the next time around. I used long flex hoses instead of hard lines so the system can now accommodate just about any common shape and size heater.
When you put in a new heater, it's probably worth thinking a few minutes about how to rig it up so it's easier to change and connect the next time around. I used long flex hoses instead of hard lines so the system can now accommodate just about any common shape and size heater.
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks for the info, guys. We picked out a new, more efficient 50 gal. The bastard of the whole thing is the location of the H20 tank. It's shoehorned into a closet with the furnace. The only available opening to get the tank out is 17" and the tank is 23" in dia. Hmmmm. Looks like the furnace ducting has to be pulled. The estimated labor just to pull the furnace is $600+, so we decided to replace the existing 20 year old furnace with a much quieter, more efficient one with a variable speed blower motor at the same time as the H20 tank and re-do the ducting to get more clearance.
We're also want to replace our water softener that is loud as hell when it regenerates with a salt free water softener. Anyone know anything about these? The plumber is recommending Easy Water (magnetic), but that sounds pretty hokey to me.
I'm glad I got home when I did. My wife was just about to sign off on replacing all 4 of our toilets with the plumbers charging $850 ea.
When I told her we can get new toilets at Lowes/HD for $300 ea and I can put them in, she was surprised. LOL!!!!
We're also want to replace our water softener that is loud as hell when it regenerates with a salt free water softener. Anyone know anything about these? The plumber is recommending Easy Water (magnetic), but that sounds pretty hokey to me.
I'm glad I got home when I did. My wife was just about to sign off on replacing all 4 of our toilets with the plumbers charging $850 ea.
When I told her we can get new toilets at Lowes/HD for $300 ea and I can put them in, she was surprised. LOL!!!!
I would hesitate on the water softener. The salt only creates a brine used to clean and "re-energize" the resin to attract the minerals out of the water. I researched mine quite a bit and determined the residual sodium levels in the water are very small, you would have to drink a couple gallons of water each day to adversely affect your health.
Ohio Pure Water is the source of my system IIRC. Has been flawless for 3 years now.
Water treatment gimmicks are everywhere, make sure you like the "science" you are being sold.
Ohio Pure Water is the source of my system IIRC. Has been flawless for 3 years now.
Water treatment gimmicks are everywhere, make sure you like the "science" you are being sold.
Well some people swear by the magnet softener but there is no way to see if they are working. The water will still test hard. I install 2 to 3 resin softeners a week and have installed them in houses that already have the magnet softeners so I guess they didn't feel they worked. The test would be boil a pot of water and see if any mineral is left after running through the magnet. I bet there will be since the magnet doesn't remove anything.
I like Bradford White water heaters but they might not be out your way.
I like Bradford White water heaters but they might not be out your way.
Lowes/HD has toilets for around $100, takes me about an hour to install one. For $850 apiece I'll fly to your town and install them.
fj40charles
SILVER Star
I'm glad I got home when I did. My wife was just about to sign off on replacing all 4 of our toilets with the plumbers charging $850 ea.
$300 will get you a nice Kohler class V toilets. large flapper and good flushing. Very difficult to clog up.
Just replaced our crap whirlpool water heater. Had a 6 year warranty and died within 3 years however, we do have hard water here in S texas and if you don't drain them a couple of times a year they accumulate a bunch of lime in the tank and shortens the life greatly.
850 is way too much for new commodes but you know that, hell, I'll even volunteer to fly there and install them for that price. FWIW, get the raised, handicapped, commodes, you will like them alot...
850 is way too much for new commodes but you know that, hell, I'll even volunteer to fly there and install them for that price. FWIW, get the raised, handicapped, commodes, you will like them alot...
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
I put in for a cow, but didn't get drawn. Just let me know where and when and I'll do my best. 