Electric hot water heater replacement advice

[AKIron]

Mine's pretty old but I'll use it until it stops getting hot. Replaced an over pressure valve a couple of years ago because it started leaking there. No trouble after that. May consider a no tank heater when it finally gives up the ghost.

[Drano]

Use it until the tank is leaking. The elements and stats are a cheap and easy fix if you're halfway handy with a screwdriver. Just remember to kill the electric! And the water! As long as the water is shut off you should be able to change an element without draining the tank. Pull the old one out and put the new one in quickly. You may get a single burp. As long as your valves hold tight the tank will hold a vacuum. Like holding your finger on the end of a straw.

If you have hard water and can get replacement anode rods for your heater, replacing that every so many years can extend the life of the tank significantly. Check with your manufacturer. If your tank has one its attached to the nut sticking out the middle of the top of the heater. If you don't have clearance above to pull it out you're not gonna be able to do this.

Another good practice is to drain a few gallons of water out of the bottom drain every once in a while. Couple times a year. This helps remove sediment from the bottom of the tank that will attack the metal there and eventually rot it out. If you do this, get yourself a boiler drain cap. These valves are notorious for not turning off completely when you're done and will drip.

As Shuffler said, Rheem and AO Smith are better brands.

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[Drano]

Oh and the T&P (temperature and pressure) valve leak thing. That can often times be cured too. The temperature side has a fuseable link that melts when the water might get too hot. It's a one and done. No resetting it. If this has happened--check your stats. The water has gotten unsafely hot.

The pressure side uses a spring holding a seal against a seat. If you have pressure changes, like from a well system, that works in and out. Over time crud can build up on the seat. You can try pulling up slightly on the lever and flushing some water through it. The idea is to clean out the crud. It may re-seat and you're good to go. If not, replace the valve.

That valve is VERY important to the safety of your home! Never ever even think about plugging it off! The tank could explode taking off like a rocket right through your roof. Seriously.

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[Bizman]

Mine's pretty old but I'll use it until it stops getting hot.

Our tank is some 28 years old and last summer we slowly started getting annoyingly cool showers. It appeared that the mixing valve had failed. As it takes care of half a dozen tasks, replacing it was more recommendable than just fixing the temperature controller. And the price was decent, the plumber came to diagnose the issue the same morning and by noon he had fetched the spare part and replaced it. Total cost was below 300, the spare is about 200. And a new similar heater is about 1500 plus at least half a day for installing, not to mention the hassle of clearing the path down to the back of the cellar!

[sparky127]

On demand water heaters are not the best solution for a house full of kids doing laundry and taking showers all day. But if you're two people doing a couple loads a week it might save you a couple of bucks.  Some people only know their shower is over when the hot water runs out though...

[Meatwad]

Oh and the T&P (temperature and pressure) valve leak thing. That can often times be cured too. The temperature side has a fuseable link that melts when the water might get too hot. It's a one and done. No resetting it. If this has happened--check your stats. The water has gotten unsafely hot.

The pressure side uses a spring holding a seal against a seat. If you have pressure changes, like from a well system, that works in and out. Over time crud can build up on the seat. You can try pulling up slightly on the lever and flushing some water through it. The idea is to clean out the crud. It may re-seat and you're good to go. If not, replace the valve.

That valve is VERY important to the safety of your home! Never ever even think about plugging it off! The tank could explode taking off like a rocket right through your roof. Seriously.

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Did you see that particular mythbusters episode?

[Masherbrum]

On demand water heaters are not the best solution for a house full of kids doing laundry and taking showers all day. But if you're two people doing a couple loads a week it might save you a couple of bucks.  Some people only know their shower is over when the hot water runs out though...

    Yeah, no.   

[Drano]

Did you see that particular mythbusters episode?

Hehe. They thought it was so cool they did that one like 3 different times. My favorite was when they blew up the cement truck!

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[Meatwad]

When they tried the first short stubby water heater and all it did was hiccup when it blew, you could see the disappointment in their faces when it happened.

Now the big one at the end....BOOOM 

[Eagler]

Thanks for the info and ideas guys

<S>

Eagler