[John S Mosby]

You can still, if electric one, replace the heating element by simply unscrewing the old one out (after draining the water of course) and putting a new one in.

Then, to be even more efficient this all this horse hockety epa mandated BS-— put a damn digital timer switch on it to cut it on and off prior to peak or usual usage.

If using gas— get an on demand gas heater, with a storage tack for quick. Back up either one of these systems with simple do it yourself solar panels, and you’ll cut your water heating down by more than 50%.

This is one annoying govt. isn’t it?

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

” put a damn digital timer switch on it to cut it on and off prior to peak or usual usage.”
That’s what I did when I lived on the 1830 farm that had no gas connection. Insulated the cr@p out of it and it’s pipes. It was okay. I’ve installed hundreds of water heater tanks, but I think my next one will be a tankless.

[Myrddin]

I have a 40 gallon tank with a 40,000 BTU natural gas heater/vent. The natural gas flash heaters are 128,000 to 150,000 BTU. That requires much more venting and often active fans to vent. The venting "improvement" was going to cost me $1,000 before the cost of the heater itself. If you live in a very cold climate, you must guard against the heat exchanger being damaged by freezing. You can't use the circulating pumps with a flash heater as it would be running continuously. The user's manual claims that voids the warranty.

[trebb]

You can still, if electric one, replace the heating element by simply unscrewing the old one out (after draining the water of course) and putting a new one in.

Time saver - if you just turn off the water inlet/outlet, you do not have to drain it to change the elements. A small rag will handle the little bit of dribble as long as you don't dally.

For those who aren't familiar, be sure to unplug the heater first and if you drained water, DO NOT plug it back in until it has refilled. The elements will self-destruct with a pop if powered up without being immersed.