School me on water heaters.

So, the water heater in my house was installed around 1997 or so, and it's been slowly but surely getting worse at staying hot over the years, and I think it's time for a new one.

I know basically zero about these things, and would appreciate any recommendations on brands for natural gas water heaters.

I'm fairly certain I want to stick with a 40 or 50 gallon tank-based water heater, as the tankless models all seem to be quite expensive and would require professional installation.

If anyone has recommendations on which brands to buy, or which to avoid, that would be great. Also, is this something I can do myself as a weekend project?

Thanks!

I’m no help on brands, but yes this is a few hour project at most, assuming the normal conditions. Just YouTube and make sure you have all the right parts and tools first.

^^^

What CavSct said. Easy enough.

Same size makes it even less of a hassle.

Avoid Rheem IMO our's was 5 years old when we moved into the house and was replaced 2 years ago at 7 years old. The warranty replacement just sprung a gnarly leak from the drain valve and they have been a pain in the ass to deal with.

If it has a honeywell controller, and it seems like most of them do, be sure to flush the heater every 6 months or so. Once the controller faults and gives you the 5 flashes, you have to replace the controller (~$100 last time I had to do it).

I've got a GE branded Rheem from Home Depot that has been working well. Was much wider than the old unit due to the extra insulation. I noticed a drop in my gas bills right away. Had to add an expansion tank to get it up to the current code.

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Originally Posted by OldFogey

If it has a honeywell controller, and it seems like most of them do, be sure to flush the heater every 6 months or so. Once the controller faults and gives you the 5 flashes, you have to replace the controller (~$100 last time I had to do it).

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Thanks for the reminder. I used to do it monthly when I changed the furnace filter.
Had the furnace replaced and the new electronic air filter lets me know when it needs to be disassembled, washed, and reinstalled. About every 6-8 months.

[Beer]

Bradford white from Ferguson made in the USA

Have you flushed any sediment from the tank?

If you have a floor drain plan on removing the drain bib and poking the sediment out. Older units clog up easily.

You can try power flushing it before you cut off the water supply but they'll usually clog up anyways.

As mentioned newer units have thicker insulation so they're bigger in all directions this may cause difficulty if they're next to something or behind a doorway that is smaller

Is it gas or electric?

If its gas, stand next to it when it's running and listen. The popping noise is calcium and sediment in the bottom expanding under heat
The more and louder the pops the more junk inside.

Water heaters are super easy if you can deal with the copper pipe work that is usually involved. Woke up to ours leaking years ago. Called into work, went and picked up a replacement unit and swapped it out and went in to work around noon.

I think our old one was a 45 gallon and when I replaced it I went to a 55 gallon and it was amazing how much longer you could take a hot shower before the water got cold. I had plenty of space to go bigger. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck.

Earlier this year I flushed mine for the first time in about five years. I planned on doing it every six months, but it never happened. I had a difficult time getting it to drain consistently, and I didn't really notice any heavy sediment coming out, but I felt like I really noticed a difference in how long we could take hot showers.

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Originally Posted by ray1970

Water heaters are super easy if you can deal with the copper pipe work that is usually involved. Woke up to ours leaking years ago. Called into work, went and picked up a replacement unit and swapped it out and went in to work around noon.

I think our old one was a 45 gallon and when I replaced it I went to a 55 gallon and it was amazing how much longer you could take a hot shower before the water got cold. I had plenty of space to go bigger. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck.

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This could have also been a deteriorating dip tube. If you ever suddenly have 5 minutes maximum of hot water and your water heater is working otherwise you can bet it broke off most of the way up. They cost about 12$

So my current house was plumbed in an interesting way, half the house is hooked up to the water heater in the normal way. However, the feed that handles one small bathroom and out to the garage is hooked up to the flush drain spout at the bottom. I guess I'm just always making sure there's no sediment!

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Originally Posted by Justin

So, the water heater in my house was installed around 1997 or so, and it's been slowly but surely getting worse at staying hot over the years, and I think it's time for a new one.

I know basically zero about these things, and would appreciate any recommendations on brands for natural gas water heaters.

I'm fairly certain I want to stick with a 40 or 50 gallon tank-based water heater, as the tankless models all seem to be quite expensive and would require professional installation.

If anyone has recommendations on which brands to buy, or which to avoid, that would be great. Also, is this something I can do myself as a weekend project?

Thanks!

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Yes you can do it yourself, its easiest if you are replacing like size (external measurements). In COS, you should get a permit if you do it yourself.

Picking a right water heater+pickup+hauling it to basement+Installation was much easier than trying to find out how to get a permit.

Water heater should not even require a permit.

eta: I bought one with closest size to what I originally had. I had to go with 40gallon version. It actually heats up faster and don't need to wait longer due to higher btu.
Mine was Lowes version of the AO Smith power vent.

Depending on your budget, the size of the system and how long you intend to live there, a tankless system may save you money long term.

It is more expensive to purchase and have installed. It will last through 3 or 4 standard water heaters. It only runs when it is in use, unlike a big tank that is always trying to maintain a high temperature.

I regret not getting one sooner.

As an aside, I have heard through somewhat trustworthy sources that the manufacturers, in trying to comply with the 2015 regulations and I think 2008 or so, have used thinner gauge metal for the tanks. Instead of lasting ten years or longer, there have been a lot more failures at the 5-8 year range. Totally anecdotal and I don't find any evidence to support it, only tales from the trades.

I think the long-term viability of tankless has a lot do do with the mineral content of your water.

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Originally Posted by Gman

I think the long-term viability of tankless has a lot do do with the mineral content of your water.

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Holds true for all water systems. Where tankless systems blow tanks out of the water, so to speak, is that there is seldom standing water and to a much lesser volume. Tankless systems need flushing once a year. It's a bigger pain than changing your anode rod but no one ever does that either.

If you have a whole house filter system, it's possible for either system to outlive the owner.

Just wanted to put this out there. I like these guys and bought my last water heater here. Nice place with plenty of knowledge and selection. https://www.rampartsupply.com/heatin...storage-tanks/

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Originally Posted by Skywalker

Just wanted to put this out there. I like these guys and bought my last water heater here. Nice place with plenty of knowledge and selection. https://www.rampartsupply.com/heatin...storage-tanks/

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Thanks! Will check them out this week.

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Originally Posted by DFBrews

Bradford white from Ferguson made in the USA

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This is what you want. Best on the market hands down.

If you're in COS, buy from Rampart Supply, not the big box stores. You'll get a better quality heater for less money.

O2

On edit: Oh, I see someone else already pointed you to them.

late to this party, but if you have an existing condensor boiler, you could look into an indirect water heater. There's ways to make them practically on demand if your boiler has enough BTU, efficient too

Related question... does anyone still replace anode rods in hot water heaters anymore? I hired someone a couple years ago to do mine because I couldn't figure out how you were supposed to do it. Turned out you had to take the darn top of the thing apart including pulling out a ton of foam insulation, etc. to get at the old rod to replace it. Definitely didn't seem very user-friendly compared to previous models I'd seen, maybe that's just because they figure nobody changes them anymore?? I've got about 14 years on my current hot water heaters so should probably start thinking about replacing at some point...

Well... this is all good info. Last Friday morning, water heater kicked out tons of hot water as usual. Saturday morning, 'hot' water was luke warm.
Gas water heater, pilot light is running, install date 2012. Is there a temp sensor that could have gone out?

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Originally Posted by Duman

Well... this is all good info. Last Friday morning, water heater kicked out tons of hot water as usual. Saturday morning, 'hot' water was luke warm.
Gas water heater, pilot light is running, install date 2012. Is there a temp sensor that could have gone out?

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Is your main burner kicking in? If yes then could possibly be the dip tube which drops to the bottom of your tank on the cold water inlet side. Typically these are plastic.

Thanks, I'll check it out.