Looks like it'd time for a new hot water heater - Page 2

oil pan 4 · 10-22-16, 03:11 AM

I have a 12 gallon water heater with a 4500 watt element. It came with a 1500watt 120v element. Turns out all the water heaters use the same thermostat control, rated for 40 amps all I had to do was bump the wiring inside up to 10 gauge.
I have an expansion tank, shut off valve and local disconnect or vacation switch.

Servicetech · 10-30-16, 09:05 AM

Why not put in one of those Marey gas tankless units? Same $300, saves space, and no pilot light. Even vents with standard B vent. Gas valve DOES NOT modulate, that's' why it's only $300. You must manually set the gas level yourself. Wouldn't want one as my main water heater, but for 1 bathroom not getting much use it would be fine.

https://amzn.com/B009EG4QJM

The 2.7GPM model is $232, might be enough for 1 bathroom.

https://amzn.com/B009EFVS8A

oil pan 4 · 10-30-16, 10:48 AM

My wife isn't liking the 12 gallon capacity too much lol.
I say she was using too much hot water.
It's plenty for me but I'm trying to only use about 3 or 4 gallons.

Lowes has a 4.3gpm tankless gas water heater for $600. My wife said she doesn't want it that bad.
I calculate this heater can warm 40°F incoming water to about 102°F at a rate of 3gpm. So it would work great for a woman that loves to use hot water.

If I were to use this tankless one I would install it for the "back bathroom" temporarily, then make it the main hot water heater later on. I would still put this 12 gallon electric one in the back bathroom once it doesn't get used a lot.

oil pan 4 · 11-20-16, 02:00 PM

I installed a 5500w heating element and magnesium anode.
Here are the old ones.
The original anode is aluminum and even after 2 or 3 weeks of use the heating element is covered with scale.

11-20-16, 02:00 PM	#14
oil pan 4 Land owner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NM Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 12 Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts	I installed a 5500w heating element and magnesium anode. Here are the old ones. The original anode is aluminum and even after 2 or 3 weeks of use the heating element is covered with scale. Attached Thumbnails

10-22-16, 03:11 AM	#11
oil pan 4 Land owner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NM Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 12 Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts	I have a 12 gallon water heater with a 4500 watt element. It came with a 1500watt 120v element. Turns out all the water heaters use the same thermostat control, rated for 40 amps all I had to do was bump the wiring inside up to 10 gauge. I have an expansion tank, shut off valve and local disconnect or vacation switch.

10-30-16, 09:05 AM	#12
Servicetech Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Moore Oklahoma Posts: 267 Thanks: 108 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts	Why not put in one of those Marey gas tankless units? Same $300, saves space, and no pilot light. Even vents with standard B vent. Gas valve DOES NOT modulate, that's' why it's only $300. You must manually set the gas level yourself. Wouldn't want one as my main water heater, but for 1 bathroom not getting much use it would be fine. https://amzn.com/B009EG4QJM The 2.7GPM model is $232, might be enough for 1 bathroom. https://amzn.com/B009EFVS8A

10-30-16, 10:48 AM	#13
oil pan 4 Land owner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NM Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 12 Thanked 127 Times in 107 Posts	My wife isn't liking the 12 gallon capacity too much lol. I say she was using too much hot water. It's plenty for me but I'm trying to only use about 3 or 4 gallons. Lowes has a 4.3gpm tankless gas water heater for $600. My wife said she doesn't want it that bad. I calculate this heater can warm 40°F incoming water to about 102°F at a rate of 3gpm. So it would work great for a woman that loves to use hot water. If I were to use this tankless one I would install it for the "back bathroom" temporarily, then make it the main hot water heater later on. I would still put this 12 gallon electric one in the back bathroom once it doesn't get used a lot.