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How to clean sediment out of water heater ... and replace element |
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Resource links:How electric water heater worksHow to troubleshoot electric water heater How to troubleshoot gas water heater How to test elements Low water pressure Flooded water heater How to wire thermostats How to replace thermostat How to remove rusted element Water heater will not drain Maintain water heater |
 Low density elements do not burn out as quickly since heating surface is spread across larger heating surface. Do NOT install larger wattage than shows on tank label: |
Buy
new element: Water heater elements at Amazon Low density element at Amazon/ 'lifetime' Low density/ resist scale deposits/ 5-year Low density element at Amazon 120 Volt elements for small tanks at Amazon 120V element at Amazon Universal adapter kit at Amazon Rheem 'resistored' copper element at Amazon Rheem/ Marathon elements are larger Resource: How to replace water heater element |
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Sediment caused by heating water. - Heating water causes sediments to percolate out of water and gather at bottom of tank. - Most modern water heaters have curved dip tube that helps stir sediments off the bottom when cold water enters tank, but there is no method for preventing the chemical reaction caused by heating water. - Symptoms of sediment can include rumbling sound or shortage of hot as tank heats less efficiently. Preventing sediment - Flushing or draining water heater each six months helps prevent sediment - Turning down water heater temperature can reduce sediments. Higher temperatures cause more sediment. - Water softener can prevent sediments, but costs money, and will react with and shorten life of anode. - Anode protects tank from rusting, meaning softener can shorten life of tank. Read anode options How to maintain water heater |
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 Conclusion:
Gas
water heater efficiency is vulnerable to sedimentGas water heater cannot be restored to full efficiency |
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| Tank
is
clean. Thermostat reads correct temperature, heat transfer
surface and heat exchanger maximize efficiency at 60% Resource: gas water heater efficiency |
Sediment
builds up, depending on hardness of water and other factors. Efficiency
drops as heat transfer surfaces covered with sediment. What
if water won't drain? |
When
drain valve is removed, opening is just 3/4" Sediment cannot be
completely removed. Efficiency falls as new sediment is added over old. Flush water heater each 6 months to prevent. |
How to remove plastic drain valve |
Remove
gas control valve to access 3/4" diameter opening into gas water heater. How to replace gas control Replace gas control |
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 Conclusion:
Electric water heater efficiency is less vulnerable to sediment than
gas heaterElectric water heater is fully repairable Water heater makes rumbling sounds when sediment builds up. |
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| New
electric water heater operates at 99% efficiency 'Efficiency' is not same as 'energy saving ' read more |
Burned out lower element means less hot water. Upper element keeps top of tank warm. Opening is 1-1/8" so several pipe and hose sizes fit inside tank. See more detail | Full efficiency is restored to electric water heater after sediment is cleaned out and new lower element installed |
 Electric water heater Wait until tank is completely full of water before turning on circuit breaker. Wait to turn on circuit breaker AO Smith pdf about de-scaling Read pdf |
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Use
borescope to peer inside tank. Buy: Borescopes at Amazon Connect to USB port on laptop Make your own tool Put flashlight bulb on end of wire using minature bayonet lampholder Solder wires onto LED bulb |
 Applies to gas and electric water heaters Water-heater-will-not-drain |
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How to flush water heater
&
Prevent sediment |
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 Flush each 6 months to
prevent build-up
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Steps for flushing GAS water heater- Turn off water at shut off- Turn gas control to pilot -pilot stays lit but no burner flame Two ways to proceed: Best if you do #1 followed by #2 1) -Turn off water at shut off - Open bathtub spigot to let air enter water heater - Open water heater drain - Drain water from tank What if water heater is clogged? - After tank is drained, turn on water at shut off - Continue flushing tank until water runs clean 2) Fill tank- turn water ON - Open water heater drain at bottom of tank Check that water runs clean. If you do this first, it can stir up sediment instead of flushing tank - Close tank drain - Refill tank - When water comes out bathtub spigot, tank is full - Turn off bathtub spigot - Reset pilot control - Flushing does not work if sediment builds up |
Steps for flushing ELECTRIC water heater- Turn off water at shut off- Turn off circuit breaker - Elements that still have power will burn out when water leaves tank Two ways to proceed: Best if you do #1 followed by #2 1) -Turn off water at shut off - Open bathtub spigot to let air enter water heater - Open water heater drain - Drain water from tank What if water heater is clogged? - After tank is drained, turn on water at shut off - Continue flushing tank until water runs clean 2) Fill tank- turn water ON - Open water heater drain at bottom of tank Check that water runs clean. If you do this first, it can stir up sediment instead of flushing tank - Close tank drain - Refill tank - When water comes out tub spigot, tank is full - Shut tub spigot - Turn on circuit breaker -Do NOT turn on circuit breaker before tank is full, or elements will burn out |
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Replace Water heater drain valve with ball valveEasier flush and clean outFull open position lets you insert 1/4" copper pipe flushing tool How to replace drain valve Also install curved dip tube to help prevent sediment from settling on bottom of tank How to clean sediment out of water heater Buy parts: Dielectric nipples at Amazon 3/4" ball valve at Amazon Brass ball valve 3/4" pipe to 3/4" garden hose Buy Ball valve/ gas Gas ball valve Shop Amazon - Industrial and scientific |
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Buy plastic tank rinserTank rinser at Amazon |
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Make a flush tool36" aluminum tube or plastic tube connects to garden hose.Remove drain valve to insert tool -or- install full-flow ball valve shown above Tube inserts through ball valve opening. Make tool using 3/8" flexible copper pipe Buy: 3/4" Hose barb adapter at Amazon Hose adapter to 1/4" compression No-rust hose shut off at Amazon 3/8" clear hose at hardware Hose clamp at hardware |
 Applies to gas and electric water heaters Larger image Resources: How to remove short water heater nipple Read about odor and anode rods |
Control odor by
adding Hydrogen Peroxide regularly
Read more about anode odor problem at pro
water heater forum |
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Transfer
switch Use twist lock plug for extension cord that plugs into compressor Install 20 or 30 amp as needed. X Y terminals go to either Hot, W is always Neutral G is ground These are standard markings for 240 volt plugs and outlets. Connect X to one hot busbar inside the transfer sawitch, connec6t Y to other hot busbar, ground and Neutral to respective terminals Buy: Leviton 2711/ 125-250 volt/ 20-30 amp/ 3 pole Resources How to wire subpanel How to wire transfer switch |
Technical information |
Water heater efficiency:Electric water heaters operate at 99% efficiencyGas water heaters operate at 69% efficiency Tankless gas heaters operate at 80% efficiency High-efficiency tank-type gas heaters at 96% efficiency 'Efficiency' is not same as 'energy saving' . All costs are energy: Consider total cost of water heater: Cost of unit, cost of installation, projected repairs, whether repairs are do-it-yourself, if parts are generic and available locally, true life expectancy of unit, monthly energy bill over life of unit, and disposal-replacement cost > read more Other factor will weigh eventually including direct carbon emissions released at each home from gas appliances. All costs are energy: If there was a breakthrough water heater that suddenly lowered people's bills, and reduced overall energy consumption, people would be waving their monthly bill in the air and everybody would know. There is no news. Choose lowest overall cost water heater to save energy. Research pdf: water-softener/water-heater efficiency comparison Read do-it-yourself: 9 ways to save with a water heater |
Effect of hard-water WITH water-softenerEfficiency of gas and electric water heaters is unchanged over time when hard water is softened, however softened water corrodes anode rod and will reduce life of water heater unless anode rod inspected and replaced every 2 years. Once anode rod is 50-75% corroded, water heater tank begins to rust. This condition leads to leaking water heater which cannot be repaired. Rusted water heaters can rupture and cause massive damage as water runs until problem is discovered.Read more & See Anode rod options |
Effect of hard-water with NO water-softener:> Efficiency of gas heater drops 6-8% after two years > cleaning tank of sediment build-up will not restore full efficiency > however, regular flushing to prevent sediment maintains efficiency> Tankless gas heater will fail when pressure sensor clogs with sediment within 2-3 years depending on hardness of water > regular de-liming will not restore efficiency > softener and filter are required > Efficiency of electric heater stays at 99% until sediment reaches bottom element > cleaning tank and replacing lower element restores full efficiency > regular flushing to prevent sediment build-up also maintains efficiency Research pdf: water-softener/water-heater efficiency comparison |
Water-softener reduces life of anode rod in gas and electric water heatersWater heater manual says: "Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions. The use of water softener may decrease life of water heater tank."Six-year tanks come with 1 anode rod. Read manual. Generally, tanks with longer warranties come with 2 anode rods. Anode rod options |
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