Posted on 06/19/2013 4:27:16 AM PDT by djf
OK, my current water heater (mfg date 9545, YYWW) gave up the ghost and today it gets replaced.
It is a 50 gallon 240V electric model. I am pretty much convinced on a GE 40 or 50 gal 240V model, the 40 gal is making more sense since I live alone now.
Some of the sites talking water heater recommend a round drip pan underneath. I never heard of such a thing, anybody know about it?
I already have the complete set of Sharkbite fittings I will need.
Hints? Tips? Theories? Prayers? Thanks in advance!
No doubt it would make it to the YouTube “How NOT to install a water heater” top ten list!
;-)
Draining can be a messy project and the pan canhelp you here.
If it goes slow or not at all you need to shove a coat hanger in the drain bib to loosen things up..The new pan under the bib will catch any thing that comes out when the hose is disconnected and reconnected.Have lots of towels and mops ready
Also if its slow and/or once it starts to run turn the inlet on and off full blast to help loosen the crap up.Some times this helps,sometimes.
Also you can shoot water into the drain (reverse connector and use adapters) As another poster mentions Its heavy but if need be get a hand truck and roll it out.Not sure of your living arange ments.
If its in the basement and you have a floor drain and the drain on the heater is plugged turn the old one upside down next to the drain and enpty it.At least it wont weigh 300 pounds.
Same here - about 8 years back got a Takagi natural-gas unit for the whole house. Cost a bit more initially, but has more than paid for itself in reduced monthly bills. Heat only when and what you need, and you NEVER RUN OUT of hot water!
They do come out hard, but save yourself a bit of money if you are willing. First thing is soak it with a penetrating spray for a few days [I like Blaster but there are other good pruducts out there]. Make sure you have the right size Deepwell socket [I believe it is 1 1/16” six point ] a impact socket is best. If you don’t have an 1/2 electric impact wrench either buy one [very inexpensive at Harbor Freight online] or rent one from Home Depot. They are very handy to have for changing tires and whatnot. It is very difficult to use a breaker bar and socket because the water tank wants to move when you apply leverage to the anode and the tank is hard to hold still. That is why the impact wrench is the best tool, all the force of the hammering action is directly on the socket. It may take a few minutes of hammering but it will eventually break the anode free.Make sure you get a six not twelve point socket they won’t strip out. Here is a utube vid from This Old House Good luck.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IUNIUZz4Os
Have you considered a tankless on-demand system? Big electric savings if what I’ve heard is correct; ours is gas and savings have been dramatic over the past couple of years.
I went tankless. The electrical wiring upgrade cost more than the heater, but it’s still paying for itself in three years.
Our son had a regular hotwater heater in his attic and it ruptured and ruined the ceiling, walls, wood floor and a very nice piano that was below it.
Insulation was everywhere. He replaced it with a tankless.
thanks
Tank is being drained as we speak.
My taters luv me!!
Heck, might as well put it to good use.
Watc hing this thread because I need to replace mine also.
FReepers are DOERS, not BEGGARS!!!
;-)
I put in a Rinnai about three years ago. Best thing I ever did, except for shorting banks with subprime exposure.
My tankless is gas but it also requires a 120 volt outlet. 199,000 BTUs.
That’s fine until it’s time to sell the house. Then not meeting code comes back to bite you.
Well, is it a success?
Absolutely!
Old one removed, floor checked, new pipes and fittings attached, and 240V connection made!
I now have hot water and NO LIVES WERE LOST!!
Not yet, anyways!
I hope you attached the ground wire before you take a shower ...
Consider a tankless water heater.. Navien or Rheem comes to mind. A little pricey but you make for it in your energy bill.
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