Hot water heater

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Airpark

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Had the heater just up and quit over the week-end. Got to it today. The heating elements tested OK. The top thermostat had "popped". Reset and now it is heating agsin.

Does this mean I should go ahead and change out the thermostat?
 
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Possibly, here's a test procedure.

Test Water Heater Thermostat

How old is it? I find not matter what you do if it has a 10 year warranty it will go when it's 10 years and 1 day old. Like clockwork. I don't know how they build them to do that but that's been my experience.
 
If it's older than 4 years old, I would go ahead and replace it. They aren't that expensive if you do it yourself and then you won't have to do it next week or month when it finally goes.


Pete
 
New units are glass lined to reduce the rust issues and have replaceable anode rods on many models. They also are better insulated than older units so cost to operate is lower. If you have a heater that is 15 yrs old, I would consider replacing it. I just installed a new one 2 weeks ago. I have well water so I flush the tank 2 times a year but I couldn't believe the gunk in the bottom of the tank even after doing that twice every year. Mine was 13 years old.

Pete
 
I have come to think that all appliances are made by the people who designed the "Mr. Coffee" pot.

Have had to replace both the furnace and water heater after about 10yrs.Didn't expect them to last forever but why do furnaces always break down when it's 10° outside.

Too many things we buy seem to be disposable items. At least the theory is that some things are cheaper to replace than fix.
 
Different reasons you pop the bimetal disc. You tested the element how? Here is a way to check the resentence of the element. It could be the thermostat but the heater element would be the most likely problem. Ohm's Law / Watt's Law Calculator

Like Pete99004 said there could be a sacrificial anode rod which you might want to replace at the same time if you replace the elements it will be on the top. Last one I got I got from Amazon most big box stores don't sell them. Make sure you clean the bottom of the tank if you replace the elements as you will find plenty of junk there. I took a shop vac and a piece of 1/2 copper pipe in the end of the hose and sucked most of the junk out, I have heavy calcium here, don't rely on the drain method if you have hard water. Also if you see any signs of leakage you will want to replace the tank with a better efficiency one. There not hard to do and with the shark bite fitting you don't need to know how to sweat a joint as they come on stainless braded lines and Lowes and HD sell them. Make sure you pressure relief valve isn't leaking but if you've never exercised it you may not want to disturb it as they sometimes won't seal after words. Good Luck.

Also if your not a heavy user a tankless one is nice but expensive.
 
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DeathGrip said:
"Hot water heater"?

Why would you want to heat water that's already hot?

Sorry, I have this thing.....
Click to expand...

I know what you mean here but if you want to get right down to it the water heater does heat hot water. It don't let the water cool all the way down before coming back on.
I know, I'm goofy.
 
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we only use natural gas water heaters, kitchen ranges & furnaces......... when the neighborhood loses power due to a severe wind storm or ice storm every couple of 4 years... I'm good to go with a mid sized electric generator to keep out boiler/furnace & it's water pump going & the electric pilots on our kitchen range
 
Slightly off topic, but does have to do with replacing a "hot water heater" whatever that means :) The plumber that did some work for me last summer claims that new regulations concerning installation and new requirements for the gas heater itself will pretty much take the DIY out of it. Come January 1, I think, the costs are going to be much higher. He was recommending I replace mine now under the existing regs and avoid the hassle. He has done several jobs for me and seems like a very up and up guy. Anybody else know about this?
 
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Water Heater

I live in a house that just turned 10 years old. I just had a new water heater installed. I feel that its better to replace them every 10 years than to have to clean up 40 gal of water and have a finished basement damaged.
 
I own 15 rental houses and have had bad resets in several of the hot water heaters. I called the company and they sent me new ones no charge. They also told me exactly how to test the elements with a Volt/Ohm meter. All that said...I have a tankless propane hot water heater in my hunting cabin and soon will install one in my house. It is the bomb. Instant hot water and only uses energy when I need hot water. The one I have is a Noritz and it is very quiet and very high quality. Love it, the only way to fly!!!!
 
Check the relief valves as they get gunked up with crud to the point that they may or may not operate. Last hot water heater I had lasted 15 years and the relief vale was stuck with some white powdery stuff. Installed the new one and gave the relief valve a shot of lube. May or may not make a difference. Frank
 
If it's old, I'd go ahead and replace it. The new ones are so much more efficient it'll pay for itself pretty quick.
 
DeathGrip said:
"Hot water heater"?

Why would you want to heat water that's already hot?

Sorry, I have this thing.....
Click to expand...

The "thing" is that the definition is a heater designed to bring water to the temperature standard of "Hot" per kitchen, safety and NASMI standards. The general standard today is now pushed down to 120 F though it used to be as high as 160 F for commercial applications.
Now that you are no longer uneducated you may lose your "thing".
 
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