Home and Auto Hot Water Heaters - Page 2

Holladay · 02-19-2015, 07:32 PM

(an aside, 4 people in the house and 2 of which are teenagers) I have 2x50 gal propane hot water heaters, 10 years old, set up in line. The thought was that have one (the last in line) fairly hot, and the first just warm. When the needed, I could turn up the first to hot as well...ie when I wanted to fill the big bath tub.

The first in line has stopped working. I can't /won't light. So we have been working on just one. Which is OK because we have the other (last in line) that works fine.

I am looking at upgrading the tanks. I saw online to have 1 propane tank coupled with a "tankless" hot water source. I don't know the price, setup requirements, cost etc.

I just want to have adequate hot water. Again, have two teenagers and a big bath tub that we don't use that much.

Should I just replace both 50 gal propane tanks, have a repairman come out to fix the first in line that doesn't work, or do the hybrid propane tank and a tankless source?

Cost is an issue to a degree. Or the increased value to the house with a tankless?

Thanks

**LoneWolf** · 02-19-2015, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Tankless are everywhere in Europe. They are awesome but they use an assload of fuel. The electrics are insane inefficient

Tankless use less gas than regular water heaters.

Earthling · 02-19-2015, 09:49 PM

I own a duplex in Grand Junction CO and the water heaters on both sides went out within about a week of each other. (Probably about 7 years ago) Since that time I have had to replace one of them again last year. I think our water here is too hard or something...

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-19-2015, 09:51 PM

Our water heater puts out shit for hot water pressure, likely due to buildup inside of it. The house is only ten years old, but the water here is about half calcium ions.

FlaChief58 · 02-19-2015, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog

Mine produces hot water, is 13 years old and original to the house but makes the loudest popping sounds when heating up. Anytime you run hot water, it starts up again and it's just super loud. It's done this the whole past year we've owned the house but it worries me. So just thinking about replacing it before it blows. Or at least the wife has convinced me to just replace it.

Thoughts?

The average life expectancy for a heater is 8-10 years. The noise you're hearing is from sediment build up on the elements. If you do it yourself, you can replace both the thermostats and the elements for around 40 dollars, but because of it's age, you may just want to replace it

**lewdog** · 02-19-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flachief58

The average life expectancy for a heater is 8-10 years. The noise you're hearing is from sediment build up on the elements. If you do it yourself, you can replace both the thermostats and the elements for around 40 dollars, but because of it's age, you may just want to replace it

Yea we figured it was just time for replacing the whole thing. What do you recommend? I hear mixed reviews on tankless heaters. Some say they aren't energy efficient and we are gone most of the day and there's only two of us in our house. I don't mind waiting 30 seconds for the shower to heat up.

FlaChief58 · 02-19-2015, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Tankless are everywhere in Europe. They are awesome but they use an assload of fuel. The electrics are insane inefficient

The gas units are very efficient. The electric ones do use a lot of power, but really not more than a tank style heater that comes on several times a day just to maintain the temperature of the stored water

FlaChief58 · 02-19-2015, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog

Yea we figured it was just time for replacing the whole thing. What do you recommend? I hear mixed reviews on tankless heaters. Some say they aren't energy efficient and we are gone most of the day and there's only two of us in our house. I don't mind waiting 30 seconds for the shower to heat up.

Even with a Tankless heater, the wait time would be the same. If you're willing to shell out the money for a quality Tankless and a water softener, which is recommended, they're great. The 2-3k startup cost deters a lot of people from getting them here. Bradford white is our preferred brand of tank style heaters

**DaneMcCloud** · 02-19-2015, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Our water heater puts out shit for hot water pressure, likely due to buildup inside of it. The house is only ten years old, but the water here is about half calcium ions.

Apparently, hot water heaters can be flushed out. There are services here that will do it for $99.00 and it's guaranteed.

Unfortunately, none of my hot water heaters have made it that long...

**Bugeater** · 02-19-2015, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flachief58

The average life expectancy for a heater is 8-10 years. The noise you're hearing is from sediment build up on the elements. If you do it yourself, you can replace both the thermostats and the elements for around 40 dollars, but because of it's age, you may just want to replace it

Huh? I work at a 20 year old apartment complex and we still have a shitton of the original water heaters. Hell the one in my own house is 25 years old, I've been here 16 and the only issue I've ever had with it is I had to re-light the pilot light one time. That must be what you tell your customers in order to get them to buy a water heater that they don't really need.

FlaChief58 · 02-19-2015, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baconeater

Huh? I work at a 20 year old apartment complex and we still have a shitton of the original water heaters. Hell the one in my own house is 25 years old, I've been here 16 and the only issue I've ever had with it is I had to re-light the pilot light one time. That must be what you tell your customers in order to get them to buy a water heater that they don't really need.

Well, we have extremely hard water here which plays hell on heaters. If you've ever tried to change an element in a heater that's full of sedement, you'd understand. And yes, most heaters carry a 6 year tank warranty and a life expectancy of 8-10 years. That's not me saying that, it's a well known fact in the industry

**Bugeater** · 02-19-2015, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flachief58

Well, we have extremely hard water here which plays hell on heaters. If you've ever tried to change an element in a heater that's full of sedement, you'd understand. And yes, most heaters carry a 6 year tank warranty and a life expectancy of 8-10 years. That's not me saying that, it's a well known fact in the industry

I thought our water here was shitty, maybe it's not all that bad. And I suppose that may very well be a fact today because nothing is built to last anymore.

Holladay · 02-19-2015, 10:47 PM

Thanks, a lot of good info.

Again, have 2 tanks, propane. Both + 10yrs old. One works fine..the other doesn't work. Do I have a maintenance dude come out and fix the one that doesn't work, thus have 2 that work, or do a tankless combined with the old +10 tank?

I live on well water. Very nice water...soft.

I have heard the grubbling sounds as well...think we should "flush" out the sediments. I have never done that though.

I can't light the one tank....would like it to work and save money. Is it wise to have someone to come out and fix it or crap the darn thing that is +10 yrs old?

Then go tankless at one angle combined with the one that is still working or crap the whole thing and just do tankless without the propane backup?

FlaChief58 · 02-19-2015, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holladay

Thanks, a lot of good info.

Again, have 2 tanks, propane. Both + 10yrs old. One works fine..the other doesn't work. Do I have a maintenance dude come out and fix the one that doesn't work, thus have 2 that work, or do a tankless combined with the old +10 tank?

I live on well water. Very nice water...soft.

I have heard the grubbling sounds as well...think we should "flush" out the sediments. I have never done that though.

I can't light the one tank....would like it to work and save money. Is it wise to have someone to come out and fix it or crap the darn thing that is +10 yrs old?

Then go tankless at one angle combined with the one that is still working or crap the whole thing and just do tankless without the propane backup?

Scrap the 2 heaters and go with 1 good tankless if you're willing to pay the startup cost

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-19-2015, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Apparently, hot water heaters can be flushed out. There are services here that will do it for $99.00 and it's guaranteed.

Unfortunately, none of my hot water heaters have made it that long...

I tried to drain it a while back, but it made no different.

FlaChief58 · 02-19-2015, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I tried to drain it a while back, but it made no different.

The inlet or outlet port on top of the heater is plugged up. This happens quite a bit. To fix it you need to cut the pipes just above the heater and knock out the build up with a screwdriver. It's probably in your best interest to call a pro in on this one

02-19-2015, 07:32 PM
Holladay Veteran Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2419480	Hot Water Heaters (an aside, 4 people in the house and 2 of which are teenagers) I have 2x50 gal propane hot water heaters, 10 years old, set up in line. The thought was that have one (the last in line) fairly hot, and the first just warm. When the needed, I could turn up the first to hot as well...ie when I wanted to fill the big bath tub. The first in line has stopped working. I can't /won't light. So we have been working on just one. Which is OK because we have the other (last in line) that works fine. I am looking at upgrading the tanks. I saw online to have 1 propane tank coupled with a "tankless" hot water source. I don't know the price, setup requirements, cost etc. I just want to have adequate hot water. Again, have two teenagers and a big bath tub that we don't use that much. Should I just replace both 50 gal propane tanks, have a repairman come out to fix the first in line that doesn't work, or do the hybrid propane tank and a tankless source? Cost is an issue to a degree. Or the increased value to the house with a tankless? Thanks
Posts: 3,600

02-19-2015, 09:49 PM	#17
Earthling MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $10008447	I own a duplex in Grand Junction CO and the water heaters on both sides went out within about a week of each other. (Probably about 7 years ago) Since that time I have had to replace one of them again last year. I think our water here is too hard or something... __________________ AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT SO EASY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR ONLY FRIEND TALKS SEES LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE YOU AND YOU DO JUST THE SAME AS HIM -Jiimi Hendrix
Posts: 5,995

02-19-2015, 09:51 PM	#18
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7959572	Our water heater puts out shit for hot water pressure, likely due to buildup inside of it. The house is only ten years old, but the water here is about half calcium ions.
Posts: 74,848

02-19-2015, 10:47 PM	#27
Holladay Veteran Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2419480	Thanks, a lot of good info. Again, have 2 tanks, propane. Both + 10yrs old. One works fine..the other doesn't work. Do I have a maintenance dude come out and fix the one that doesn't work, thus have 2 that work, or do a tankless combined with the old +10 tank? I live on well water. Very nice water...soft. I have heard the grubbling sounds as well...think we should "flush" out the sediments. I have never done that though. I can't light the one tank....would like it to work and save money. Is it wise to have someone to come out and fix it or crap the darn thing that is +10 yrs old? Then go tankless at one angle combined with the one that is still working or crap the whole thing and just do tankless without the propane backup?
Posts: 3,600