Dang Water Heater

[Eugene]

Darn it. Water heater finally gave up, a 38 year old Rheem Fury.

Purchased another one manufactured by Rheem.

Use to own a number of rental houses. Experience, most water heaters expire shortly after the 6 year warranty.

This water heater is quite a bit fatter than the old one, more insulation. Should be more energy efficient.

[Don McCombs]

At 38 years of age, that heater didn’t owe you anything.

[Eugene]

I'm salvaging it out trying to get some of my money back. 3 or 4 dollars worth of brass and copper fittings and maybe $10- at the scrap yard for the body.

[Rick Spivey]

We went tankless Rheem during our remodel, and I am very happy with it. I don't run out of hot water unless I run out of propane.

[Eugene]

We considered tankless water heaters. Wife wanted one. Son and I out voted her. House construction and configuration did not permit it without a major renovation.

Had a tankless when stationed in Germany with the US Army. It was nice, endless hot water.

We did up grade to a 40 gallon with a faster recovery rate from the 30 gallon. Have a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub in the basement. 30 gallons would nicely fill the tub but there was no hot water to top off the tub when the water cooled down.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Had a 30 gallon electric one that the top element failed after 30 years and we could not get it out. Neighbor who is professional plumber came down and tried. He could not get it out either. Replaced the heater.

[staninlowerAL]

We went tankless Rheem during our remodel, and I am very happy with it. I don't run out of hot water unless I run out of propane.

New construction 15 years ago, installed a NORITZ tankless propane unit. Very satisfied with it, 2 adults--uses about 8 gal of propane per month. That's less than $20 at the price of propane.

[outdoors4evr]

That 30 Gallon water heater probably had 5 gallons of sediment in the bottom of it.
I flush mine annually, but when I replaced my 25 year old water heater, it was ridiculously heavy. Some of that due to its construction, but mostly due to sediment.

[Eugene]

The replaced water heater was flushed about a year prior to replacement. Good portion of the old water heaters weight was probably sediment.

Old hot water heater used about 3/4 gallon of propane a day, that's about 22 gallons a month. New one should be more economical.

About 2 weeks after the new water heater installed. Noticed that the hot water temperature is consistent. Old one, the hot water faucet temperature varied.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

That 30 Gallon water heater probably had 5 gallons of sediment in the bottom of it.
I flush mine annually, but when I replaced my 25 year old water heater, it was ridiculously heavy. Some of that due to its construction, but mostly due to sediment.

Having a water softener, sediment is not a problem even though our water has a lot of calcium in it. I gave the old heater to a guy I know that sells scrap metal. He was amazed at how light it was.

[dgrapes59]

About 5 years ago I replaced the GE electric water heater at my Nebraska place. It was over 40 years old, still heated water but had very little capacity due to the years of sediment from the well water. It took all my son and I had to get it out of the cellar! Being in the cellar with no drains I haven't figured out how to drain it, other than using multiple 5 gallon buckets and hauling it out. Guess I will resort to that, but, regardless, I don't think I will get another 40 years out of the new one!

[Don McCombs]

Don't put it back in the basement. Explore an alternate location.

[dgrapes59]

Don't put it back in the basement. Explore an alternate location.

Now you tell me I guess that could have been an option, the utility room is straight above it.

I did add a sump pump, could possibly drain into it, through a strainer.

Oh, my math was wrong, water heater was installed around 1964, when my grandparents added on to the house and installed indoor plumbing.

So, it was in operation over 50 years!! I also have the Kelvinator refrigerator they bought when they got electricity... 1947, and it still works!?

[Lt.Mike]

Last spring I pulled an old solar/elec water out of my basement. It was almost 4’ in diameter and 5’ tall. Weighed probably 400 + lbs empty.
I laid plywood on the steps of my Bilco door, strapped the tank around the bottom and sides and pulled it out with the tractor like I was pulling a tooth. I then dragged it to to curb for the scrappers who snatched it up within hours of a “curb alert” on Craigslist.
It was probably worth a bit with all the copper coils inside but I didn’t have it in me to go through the effort of cutting it up and scrapping it myself. That solar system was about 35 years old or better and was only working off the electric elements. Plus I was about to have a new roof put on and the solar panels needed removal (a big source of roof leaks).
The new AC Smith 55 gal unit went in easy. I used those “shark bite” connectors which actually work. I was skeptical as I’ve always soldered connections but they were stupidly easy and haven’t leaked yet (knock wood). This unit is also noticeably better on my electric bill.
I went with that brand on the recommendations from more than a few friends in the business.
I’d say anything you buy now is going to be better on energy consumption than what was installed 30+ years back.

[Eugene]

Old hot water heater used about 3/4 gallon of propane a day, that's about 22 gallons a month. New one should be more economical.

Appears the new water heater is using about 1/3 gallon of propane a day. Rought guess, appears I'm saving about 52 cents a day at current propane price.