Forums46
Topics537,970
Posts9,731,204
Members87,051
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Hot water heater question
#5847074
07/25/15 01:25 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
dlrz71
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573 |
Anyone have any experience with hot water heaters? My mom's went out and she would like to go from gas to electric. She also lives alone and is interested in the low boys but not sure how they would handle when she has company over.
Any brands to stay away from or any other helpful tips would be appreciated.
Thanks.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5847275
07/25/15 03:19 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
grout-scout
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693 |
Well I'm not a plumber but I have pretended to be one plenty of times. I have no clue what a "low boy" is supposed to be but the gas will heat faster & cheaper than electric. You will also need to add a 10/2 with ground to the area and be able to hook it to the electric panel. Some places now require an expansion tank on top of the water heaters. (If you live in a city that has codes)
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5847542
07/25/15 01:28 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
dlrz71
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573 |
The reason we want to switch is because she can't get down on the floor to light the pilot.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5847568
07/25/15 01:46 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,420
RedRanger
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,420 |
You would probably have to have an electrician run power for Electric power.
Gas it is at least 4 times cheaper to run and much better.
Once a water heater is lit it should not go out.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5847579
07/25/15 01:56 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
The cost of electricity is not that much extra. Just go to Home Depot and buy what you like. Have them install it.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5847589
07/25/15 02:05 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,833
Lazyjack
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,833 |
If the pilot goes out often, something is wrong.
Based on my experience with our dad, she may feel safer with an electric. We swapped his for that reason at his request.
Now as for as electric heater and hot water supply are concerned, the shape of the tank is not important. A 30 gallon tank hold 30 gallons. A 40 gallon tank hold 40 gallons. The recovery, how fast it will heat water, depends on the wattage of the element.
If I remember correctly, a 5500 watt element heater will produce about 17 gallons of hot watter an hour. A3800 watt element will produce about 12 gallons an hour. A gas water heater will produce about twice as much hot water per hour as an electric.
An average top loading clothes washer hold 17 gallons of ar largest load.
Hope this helps you make a decision. As mention above, you must have room in the electric panel for another 240 volt breaker.
If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5847753
07/25/15 04:47 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,183
Tbar
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,183 |
I have had gas water heaters for 40+ years and I can't recall the last time I had to relight one.
I would try and discourage her from going to electric as they cost lots more money to run and running heavy gauge wire from the sub panel to the heater closet will be expensive.
Make America Great Again
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5848373
07/26/15 03:05 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
dlrz71
OP
THF Celebrity
|
OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573 |
Her house is about 6ft above ground and she turns the hot water heater off and drains the pips during the winter if she is going to be gone for any length of time. The old heater had a bad pilot igniter switch so we would have to light it directly.
I think we are just going to get her a replacement for what she has and she shouldn't have any issues.
Thanks for the information guys.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5848424
07/26/15 03:34 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693
grout-scout
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,693 |
It's not hard to change as long as you can get to the breaker box and you have the space for the extra double pole breaker. I changed out my gas water heater to electric because I don't like the thought of blowing up.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5849546
07/27/15 02:15 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 317
Bradgrace
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 317 |
I like bradford whites. The anode rod is different in the brands when I replaced mine it appeared the anode rod in the bradford white was better suited for my particular water quality. Make sure you replace the pan and if it's got a gate valve go ahead and change that to a 1/4 turn ball valve when the water is off. The pilot light on the new bradford white is just a push button I would bet any new gas unit would have a similar style.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5850122
07/27/15 03:57 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,542
redchevy
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,542 |
Never had anything but an electric doubt I would want a gas. Had to put new heating elements and t-stats in our water heater last year. Completely drained it flushed out all the sediment, new pressure valve, refilled it drained the air and in 30 min I had hot water and its a 60 gal tank. Ive ran 6 people through the showers and never had a shortage of hot water.
It's hell eatin em live
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5850202
07/27/15 04:56 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257 |
Water heaters are soon to get a lot more expensive as a result of a new law that will eliminate the manufacture of traditional type models. The newer models mandated by federal guidelines will be a lot more expensive.
Some have even considered buying and stocking one for future use.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: Texas Dan]
#5850616
07/27/15 09:11 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
Water heaters are soon to get a lot more expensive as a result of a new law that will eliminate the manufacture of traditional type models. The newer models mandated by federal guidelines will be a lot more expensive.
Some have even considered buying and stocking one for future use. I did that with light bulbs, but no thanks, with water heaters.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: Texas Dan]
#5853196
07/29/15 01:25 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,294
oldoak2000
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,294 |
Water heaters are soon to get a lot more expensive as a result of a new law that will eliminate the manufacture of traditional type models. The newer models mandated by federal guidelines will be a lot more expensive.
Some have even considered buying and stocking one for future use. uhhh, this is mostly a bunk rumor. I researched this recently - the 'new law' essentially requires 1 more inch of (internal)foam insulation; not going to increase prices by very much. What might get expensive, is if a new water-heater no longer fits in the space you have (because of bigger diameter) due to more insulation. Previous laws from before also called for bump in insulation - didn't affect prices that much.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: oldoak2000]
#5853205
07/29/15 01:30 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,420
RedRanger
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,420 |
Water heaters are soon to get a lot more expensive as a result of a new law that will eliminate the manufacture of traditional type models. The newer models mandated by federal guidelines will be a lot more expensive.
Some have even considered buying and stocking one for future use. uhhh, this is mostly a bunk rumor. I researched this recently - the 'new law' essentially requires 1 more inch of (internal)foam insulation; not going to increase prices by very much. What might get expensive, is if a new water-heater no longer fits in the space you have (because of bigger diameter) due to more insulation. Previous laws from before also called for bump in insulation - didn't affect prices that much. They went up about 15% on average. Bradford White is gonna to come out with like a 48 gallon water heater that is same size as previous 50 gallon. Right now the bigger dimension are not causing much issues, just usually the vent pipe to be adjusted.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5853215
07/29/15 01:35 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,801
booger
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,801 |
TANKLESS TANKLESS TANKLESS
Gas in the house and electric in the shop. Electric pulls a bunch of juice but it s not used much. Both types throw a bunch of hot water out!!
Big ones line-up, little ones bunch-up
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5855031
07/30/15 12:58 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,183
Tbar
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,183 |
Just had a new 50 gal electric water heater put in at the farm. Manufacture date on it says May 25, 2015 which is after law went into effect in April 2015. The Richmond water heater(made by Rheem) is narrower and considerably taller than the 50 gal it replaced.
Make America Great Again
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: booger]
#5855349
07/30/15 04:02 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,161
SouthWestIron
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,161 |
TANKLESS TANKLESS TANKLESS
Gas in the house and electric in the shop. Electric pulls a bunch of juice but it s not used much. Both types throw a bunch of hot water out!! ^^^^^THis Get on on demand tankless. They work extremely well.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: booger]
#5856743
07/31/15 02:09 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,420
RedRanger
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,420 |
TANKLESS TANKLESS TANKLESS
Gas in the house and electric in the shop. Electric pulls a bunch of juice but it s not used much. Both types throw a bunch of hot water out!! Tankless has a lot of draw back.
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: dlrz71]
#5947217
09/26/15 03:43 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 735
bull279
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 735 |
When mine went out a few years ago, I got on Home Depot and Lowes website and looked at the different makes and models. You can read the reviews and then choose a model from that information. You can get one somewhere other than those two places, but you can get the information about them and what people think about them on those sites. Like was said before, make sure there is room in the breaker box for a 220 (double pole) breaker or else you will have to install a sub panel.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
U.S. Army Military Police (ABN) 1998-2003
|
|
|
Re: Hot water heater question
[Re: RedRanger]
#5951550
09/29/15 01:42 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427
RayB
red bone Bob
|
red bone Bob
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427 |
TANKLESS TANKLESS TANKLESS
Gas in the house and electric in the shop. Electric pulls a bunch of juice but it s not used much. Both types throw a bunch of hot water out!! Tankless has a lot of draw back. Such as Red Ranger? Other than the price of course
There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, Superduty, txcornhusker
|