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View Full Version : Going to try to get into a bit more hot water with this - recommend 40/50 gal gas water heater



bradbn4
01-08-2021, 20:23
Pretty much what I am looking for. The old water heater is starting to have issues and I need to figure out
what direction I will be going.

If this was a new house I would have picked the tank-less style. But old home, existing gas so I will go that route.

I could get by with a 30 gal, but going to stick I think with swapping the same size 50 gal tank out.

the basic reviews all say wonderful stuff and the other side of the coin they are going to bend you over, etc....

right now looking at a simple big box solution of Rheem performance Platinum 50 gal tank.

Due to the hard line water taps, going to have a plumber do the install and do a little clean up work to remove an old water softener that I don't use.

From what I can tell; the old water heater is over 15 years old and has had the heater element replaced once due to a water leak.


P.S. For a hoot, I looked at commercial rated hardware; ahhh...starting at over 2k for the hardware.

DFBrews
01-08-2021, 21:09
Ferguson sells Bradford white which are made in America and great quality

Gman
01-08-2021, 21:36
Did a Rheem at the old house. It served us well. Was better insulated than its precessor and saved us money on our gas bill.

Lurch
01-08-2021, 22:44
When was then last time you flushed it? It will make a huge difference if there is a bunch of crap in it.

bradbn4
01-08-2021, 23:26
>> Last time I flushed it?
Today - it was not too bad.


>>Ferguson sells Bradford white which are made in America and great quality -

I believe that Bradford is the brand of water heater I have installed now.

The prices on Ferguson website (when they have them) are all over the place. But BradFord White will be on the list at least to see what the plumber will charge.

Wulf202
01-09-2021, 13:56
I just swapped out my 26 year old one with a new unit from lowes. $600 for materials

Keep in mind a same size tank will have a larger footprint

bryjcom
01-10-2021, 08:10
If you?re going to have a plumber do it then use one of theirs. Don?t bother getting the water heater from Lowe?s.

If you get the heater from Lowe?s the plumber won?t warranty anything. It?s sometimes hard to find a plumber to install customer supplies equipment.

New 50 gallon water heaters installed are about $1400 and that includes tank, labor and warranty. It?s also a commercial grade water heater vs the consumer one from Lowe?s.

MrPrena
01-10-2021, 13:27
Costed me ~1000 to diy.
Bought one at lowes and I had to get those power vent.
I had to go with the AO Smith because it is similar to my old water heater dimension. Or I had to redo the vent oupper and etc.

bradbn4
01-11-2021, 11:01
I plan on removing the old water softener; and once that is done I have room to install 2 50 gal tanks and a utility sink. Space is not a big issue there.

Total cost over 1k is not an problem; I am just trying to do the impossible; get value for the money spent. My bonus would be to remove the water softener; better located on/off valves to isolate on both sides the water heater. It would be perfect if I could get 2 additional hose attachments to support a mini-washer/dryer in the utility room.

I might try to stack up a few other smaller projects to keep a plumber busy for at least 4 hrs.

fitterjohn
01-11-2021, 12:04
Personally if your able bodied I think it?s a great time to do it yourself. But a small map gas torch some solder and a price of copper with some fittings and learn to soft solder. I teach monkeys ( apprentices) how to solder in less than 10 mins. Or if you don?t like the fire idea rent a propress tool and press the whole thing. Propress fittings I believe have a 50 year warranty. And if you can shoot a gun you can work a propress

eddiememphis
01-11-2021, 20:04
Biggest problem with Bradford White is accessing the anode, which should be at least looked at annually.

On a BW, you have to remove the water line to remove the anode. Other brands have it in it's own location making it much easier.

Not that anyone ever does it...

brutal
01-11-2021, 21:51
Biggest problem with Bradford White is accessing the anode, which should be at least looked at annually.

On a BW, you have to remove the water line to remove the anode. Other brands have it in it's own location making it much easier.

Not that anyone ever does it...

I've been told by a few in the trades not to bother on a residential. I've had my DIY Rheem/GE installed since 2003 and was concerned about the anode and asked around.

BladesNBarrels
01-12-2021, 10:02
Personally if your able bodied I think it?s a great time to do it yourself. Buy a small map gas torch some solder and a price of copper with some fittings and learn to soft solder. I teach monkeys ( apprentices) how to solder in less than 10 mins. ...

Well, there you go

https://i.imgur.com/0nzVris.jpg

[Coffee]

fitterjohn
01-12-2021, 14:17
thats whats great about a propress, the only way that would happen was if the battery started a fire