Water Heaters - Water Heater Problem & Recommendation
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Voyzey
01-07-09, 08:20 AM
Hello -
I think I may be in the market for a new electric water heater soon. (Although I may get lucky and just have to change the elements.) I've noticed that I'm running out of hot water sooner than I used to. Also, the cold water pipe that connects to the top of the water heater is corroding pretty bad. Is this common? Is there reason for concern? The water heater is a little over 10 years old.
I've just been browsing the internet for a good-rated energy star water heater but haven't really found any recommendations. Consumer Reports didn't seem to provide much help either. Could anyone recommend any good energy star 50 gallon water heaters?
Thank you!
I think I may be in the market for a new electric water heater soon. (Although I may get lucky and just have to change the elements.) I've noticed that I'm running out of hot water sooner than I used to. Also, the cold water pipe that connects to the top of the water heater is corroding pretty bad. Is this common? Is there reason for concern? The water heater is a little over 10 years old.
I've just been browsing the internet for a good-rated energy star water heater but haven't really found any recommendations. Consumer Reports didn't seem to provide much help either. Could anyone recommend any good energy star 50 gallon water heaters?
Thank you!
SeattlePioneer
01-07-09, 10:29 AM
It's unfortunately complicated to do a competent job of inspecting a water heater for "not enough hot water." There are a number of likely causes of such problems that are not related to each other.
For example, most homes have mixing valve that allow temperatures to be selected with a single handled valve. These valves can fail and allow cold water to contaminate the hot water supply.
Or the dip tube in the water heater can break off allowing water to flow from the inlet of the tank right over to the outlet, again contaminating the hot water supply with cold water.
There are several others. When I did these kinds of inspections for customers it often took 45 minutes to an hour. It's not something most do it yourselfers are going to be able to do competently. Unfortunately, it's often not done competently by a lot of people calling themselves repairmen, who often seem more interested in selling people new tanks.
Generally speaking, I wouldn't worry much about the rust on the pipe unless you find it deeply pitted when you clean it off with a wire brush. That kind of rust is common, and I've never seen a leak through the wall of the pipe of the kind you describe. Most water leaks are from the pipe threads.
For example, most homes have mixing valve that allow temperatures to be selected with a single handled valve. These valves can fail and allow cold water to contaminate the hot water supply.
Or the dip tube in the water heater can break off allowing water to flow from the inlet of the tank right over to the outlet, again contaminating the hot water supply with cold water.
There are several others. When I did these kinds of inspections for customers it often took 45 minutes to an hour. It's not something most do it yourselfers are going to be able to do competently. Unfortunately, it's often not done competently by a lot of people calling themselves repairmen, who often seem more interested in selling people new tanks.
Generally speaking, I wouldn't worry much about the rust on the pipe unless you find it deeply pitted when you clean it off with a wire brush. That kind of rust is common, and I've never seen a leak through the wall of the pipe of the kind you describe. Most water leaks are from the pipe threads.
Voyzey
01-07-09, 11:22 AM
Thank you for the very informative information. You've eased my concerns! I'll keep an eye on it! Thank you again!