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My water heater started leaking, it's old so time for a new one.

So plumbers. What's the differance between say a 6year warrenty water heater and a 12 year warrenty water heater, besides the obvious.

Is the 12 yr made of better parts, therefor more expenseive, or are all the parts the same and it's more like buying an appliance service plan?

Suggestions on what's good and not overpriced. I'll probably fumble through the install myself.

Jay W

Jayson,

You would be well served to direct your question(s) to George Schilling (Dial One Schilling Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning). He's done several projects for me, including a water heater, also a water heater for my mother.

Jayson Woodruff wrote:My water heater started leaking, it's old so time for a new one.

So plumbers. What's the differance between say a 6year warrenty water heater and a 12 year warrenty water heater, besides the obvious.

Is the 12 yr made of better parts, therefor more expenseive, or are all the parts the same and it's more like buying an appliance service plan?

Suggestions on what's good and not overpriced. I'll probably fumble through the install myself.

Jay W

There is no difference other than possible trim variations. Same tank. Same controls. I can't recommend a brand as I'm not familiar with labeling used at discount centers. There are only a few water heater companies in the country and I'm not familiar with the different trade names they're sold under. We did have a lot of problems with w/h sold under the Whirlpool moniker, but the state regulations required a design change a couple of years ago so there's not much history on the units available now.

George Schilling wrote:There is no difference other than possible trim variations. Same tank. Same controls.

So the '6yr' water heaters and '12yr' water heaters really only vary with the service, not the parts?

There are only a few water heater companies in the country and I'm not familiar with the different trade names they're sold under. We did have a lot of problems with w/h sold under the Whirlpool moniker, but the state regulations required a design change a couple of years ago so there's not much history on the units available now.

From my research, Whirlpool = American Water Heater Company = Lowes and GE = Rheem = Home Depot.

Actually I need to check my home warrenty contract and see if the water heater is covered first.

Jay W

The one with the longer warranty may have an additional anode rod (it sacrifices itself to galvanic corrosion instead of the tank walls or your plumbing). I bought a heater some years ago and one of the features was an additional rod.

Jayson Woodruff wrote:So the '6yr' water heaters and '12yr' water heaters really only vary with the service, not the parts?

I'm not sure what you're asking, but the glass lined tanks are identical within each manufacturer regardless of warranty. You are basically paying for additional tank warranty only. But you'll need to compare warranties to verify coverage.

Will Kalman wrote:The one with the longer warranty may have an additional anode rod (it sacrifices itself to galvanic corrosion instead of the tank walls or your plumbing). I bought a heater some years ago and one of the features was an additional rod.

This is true but doesn't really make much difference. An average water heater will last 15-25 years regardless of warranty.

Most leaks are caused by water penetrating pin holes in the glass lining of the tank and eventually eating through the steel.

Also, most warranties don't include the labor for replacement, only the replacement tank. Operational controls typically have a shorter warranty.

We are currently using AO Smith tanks. I don't know if they have a discount store label.

http://www.aosmith.com/OperatingUnits/D ... spx?id=138" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ours was covered by our Home Warranty policy ... since the extra extra large size was no longer available they paid us the difference besides putting in the new extra large replacement. We got something like $300!?!? The extra large one was plenty large enough

George ... is it true one should occasionally drain out the water heater from that bottom valve ... to either increase the life of the heater or keep it's performance up? I remember doing that a few times and the water that would first drain out was milky ... calcium that had settled out of the water?

Mako Koiwai wrote:George ... is it true one should occasionally drain out the water heater from that bottom valve ... to either increase the life of the heater or keep it's performance up? I remember doing that a few times and the water that would first drain out was milky ... calcium that had settled out of the water?

Yes it is. However, there is risk involved. The drain valves that come on water heater are really cheap and not well designed for the task. If you're going to do this on a regular basis, I'd suggesting replacing the factory valve with a ball valve that will give you a positive shut-off when you're done. It will also allow for a much better flush as you will be moving much more water.

What's a recommended interval for this?

Jay W

George Schilling wrote:

Mako Koiwai wrote:George ... is it true one should occasionally drain out the water heater from that bottom valve ... to either increase the life of the heater or keep it's performance up?

Yes it is. However, there is risk involved. The drain valves that come on water heater are really cheap and not well designed for the task. If you're going to do this on a regular basis, I'd suggesting replacing the factory valve with a ball valve that will give you a positive shut-off when you're done. It will also allow for a much better flush as you will be moving much more water.

Jayson Woodruff wrote:What's a recommended interval for this?

Jay W

George Schilling wrote:

Mako Koiwai wrote:George ... is it true one should occasionally drain out the water heater from that bottom valve ... to either increase the life of the heater or keep it's performance up?

Yes it is. However, there is risk involved. The drain valves that come on water heater are really cheap and not well designed for the task. If you're going to do this on a regular basis, I'd suggesting replacing the factory valve with a ball valve that will give you a positive shut-off when you're done. It will also allow for a much better flush as you will be moving much more water.

Varies with water hardness. Try it in 6 months and see how much stuff rinses out. Use that as a guide. If you get nothing, wait a year. If you get quite a bit, stick with every 6 months. For the record, I don't take the time to do it.

George Schilling wrote: Varies with water hardness. Try it in 6 months and see how much stuff rinses out. Use that as a guide. If you get nothing, wait a year. If you get quite a bit, stick with every 6 months. For the record, I don't take the time to do it.

It's not every 3 months or 3000 miles?

Anyways, we never drained our hot water heater until the day we replaced it. It lasted 22 years with relatively hard water!

I probably should have explained the benefit to occasional flushing. When the water heats, lime and calcium deposits are created and fall to the bottom of the tank. Over time, in severe conditions, these deposits can create layers of debris, sometimes 2"-3" thick. Obviously, having to heat the layers of deposits first before heating the water uses more energy. If you've ever hear a water heater that make crackling sounds as it heats, that's trapped water heating under the debris layer causing it to pop as the ensuing gas escapes.

So even though I don't, I should flush occasionally. Heck, I flush my toilet every once in a while, I guess I could make time for the water heater.

I had mine replaced last year. It's a Rheem, wholly appropriate as I got reamed on the price! I was expecting to pay, oh, $500 to $800, and it was more like $1200 by the time I had a couple of extra crud-coated valves replaced. Oh well, good for another 23 years, I hope!

So even though I don't, I should flush occasionally.

Yah well it's no big deal for YOU! ... you just get Joey to replace the water heater right? Part of the co-drive deal ;)