  Gas
How to install gas water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot power vented water heater
Best gas water heater for homeowner
Electric
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
3-phase commercial electric water heaters
How to wire tankless electric water heater
Best electric water heater for homeowner |
 Which is the best heat pump/ 2019
4
brands to choose from .... AO Smith, Bradford White, Stieble
Elton, Rheem .. different models, with different characteristics.
Resource
Read detailed review 2019
Warranty 6 and 10 years models for residential
installation.
Heat pump water heaters can save energy under specific conditions, but are more expensive to buy than typical electric
water
heater.
Heat
pumps use ambient room temperature to heat water, and
release cool air into same room, so ambient room temperature is
decreasing each time heat pump turns on.
Heat pumps works against the
furnace in winter by using furnace-heated air to heat the water.
Locating heat pump next to refrigerator, freezer or some other heat-producing appliance will let heat pump recycle warm air
produced by the appliance.
All costs are energy.
Heat pump water heaters save money for specific applications, including
1) Homes in warm climate or with warm incoming water temperature, 2)
Homes with 1-4 people who have low hot water consumption
habits 3) Homes that do not require hot water over 130°F on a regular basis and 4) when Heat pump unit does not
require repairs and maintenance that cannot be done DIY and are performed by technician. |
 |  GE
heat pump water heater / 2014
Resources
Read detailed review or GE
GE manuals by date
GE was sold to Bradford White which offers updated version
Resource
Which is the best heat pump
With service calls average $400, independent
folks should demand up-front access to basic troubleshoot steps, maintenance and service manuals, part diagrams before buying.
While
the GE is still sold from some outlets, the newer Bradford White offers
a good service brief, and general maintenance steps with anode
replacement. |
 Heat
pump integrated with refrigerator
Real science at work that you can apply.... add beauty to your home ... save energy with innovation
Heat from refrigerator re-used in water heater
Modest home has 88 cent energy bill
Resources
Water heater uses refrigerator heat
Low-energy home uses heat pump integrated
with heat from kitchen refrigerator pg9
9 ways to save with water heater |
  Review Whirlpool energy smart/ 2016
Resources
Review Whirlpool energy smart
Convert energy smart to regular heater
Made
by American water heater company, and sold under Whirlpool and
Craftmaster and other labels. Electronic control lets customer select
modes and control temperature. Must be connected to 240 volt. Not rated
for 120-277 volt or other voltages etc. The electronic control does not
offer a timer or Kwh electric meter.
Resource
How to install electric meter on water heater
Newest
version has home automation interface, but unclear what interface connects to water
heater in 2012-2019. You can control any electric water heater using DIY timers and home automation
Resource:
Do it yourself water heater timer and home automation
EZ
temperature
setting lets you raise to 135°F+
on laundry day, and reset to 120°F for rest of day to save energy and
avoid risk of scald. Or leave at 130-135° and get more hot out of tank
Resource:
Ways to increase amount of hot water
Error
codes are good start-point for troubleshoot, but parts are not generic, except
for elements and anode. Parts must be ordered and run up cost of repair and cause delay vrs ordinary electric water heater.
Parts are simple to replace.
Homeowner can install and maintain and repair this water heater.
Other
than electronic control, this is ordinary electric water heater, and
there is questionable energy-savings unless consumption is cut >>
but same
is true
for all water heaters.
My experience shows that people mess with the
electronic controls for a month or so, and then just set water heater to
convenient temperature and function and forget it.
Six year single-family residential original-owner warranty. Customer
can install this water heater without voiding warranty.
Pex-lined dielectric nipples. Plastic drain valve. Standard tank and
anode rod.
Resource:
How to replace anode rod |
 | Polaris high volume condensing water heater/ 2019
Resource
Review polaris condensing water heater
Summary
34 and 50 gallon ultra low NOx
Warranty 10 years for residential models, 3 years light commercial models.
Polaris is in
a class of heaters called 'condensing water heaters' due to the amount
of heat recycled from flue and the resulting output of condensed acidic
water vapor that must be routed into floor drain.
Polaris is a
high-efficiency (80-82%), moderately-sized, condensing gas water heater
for high volume homes, apartments and space heating.
Good installation manual, shows maintenance and basic troubleshoot and parts. No updated service manual posted for Polaris. |
Larger image
Larger image 2 |
Review
AO
Smith Effex
Resource
Read detailed review 2019
Summary
Warranty 6 years for original owner and residential
installation.
Eye-level
temperature read-out and error codes
Effex has blower located on side of heater that is easily cleaned and maintained. The blower is designed to
slow the flow of hot combustion by-product. The result is hot
gasses remain
inside the heater longer, and the heat exchanger or flue baffle
transfers more heat into the water. Less heat is wasted up the vent
pipe, which improves thermal efficiency* (conversion of heat into water,
but has no affect on standby efficiency).
Effex can save 2% energy cost per year, but costs more to buy than
simple atmospheric heater.
However
the
Effex includes powered anode rod that protects tank from rust and
possible odor problems. A power anode sells independently for more
than $225.
Effex plugs into outlet and requires dedicated outlet to avoid
interference. Surge protector is recommended.
Offsetting the long-to-improbable payback is that Effex has other
benefits: service manual is available, product manual has clear
maintenance steps, customer can usually repair and maintain water
heater without paying for service call, powered anode rod keeps tank
from rusting and helps
solve possible odor problems, error code shows if power anode
malfunctions, digital LCD readout with error codes for simplified
troubleshoot, easy temperature control at eye level, and water heater
can be reset after FVIR incident instead of needing replacement.
Good installation manual, shows maintenance and basic troubleshoot and repairs. AO Smith posts service manual Effex.
|
Customer
can easily install Effex water heater
Resources
How to install gas water heater
2012 Kenmore elite product manual
State high efficiency product manual
Whirlpool high efficiency manual
Read AO Smith service handbook
|
 |
 Review
Rheem
Marathon Electric
Resources
Read detailed review
Summary:
Rheem Marathon is ordinary 240Volt residential electric water heater,
except with foam tank instead of metal tank.
The
purchase price is 4x ordinary water heater, and Marathon offers few
advantages that cannot be achieved with less expensive water heater.
Marathon
will not pay back the purchase price in most instances, but there are
benefits for buyers wanting longer tank warranty for home installation,
those wanting tank
that can be installed in damp environment with possible reduced
warranty, those needing lighter weight
tank, and those
experiencing chronic odor problems caused by anode rod found
inside all steel-tank
water
heaters.
Marathon 85 and 105 gallon size will work for oversized bathtub.
Marathon can replace any ordinary electric water heater without
additional wiring or significant change in plumbing pipes
There are no toxic chemicals from Marathon water
heaters.
81 lbs
|
 |
Review AO Smith Flue dampered water heater
Resource
Read 2019 review AO Smith flue damper EF .70 (efficiency .62-.63)
Read 2014 review Whirlpool (AO Smith brand) flue damper EF .67 (efficiency .59-.60)
Summary
40-50 gallon low NOx and ultra low NOx models
6 year warranty offers labor for first year, and parts and tank each
year after.
Flue dampered heaters have a blower located on top of heater that is designed to
slow the exit of hot combustion by-product. The result is hot gasses
remain
inside the heater longer, and the heat exchanger or flue baffle
transfers more heat into the water. Less heat is wasted up the vent
pipe, which improves thermal efficiency* (conversion of heat into water,
but has no affect on standby efficiency).
Flue damper heaters can save 2% energy cost per year, but cost more to buy than
simple atmospheric heater.
40
and 50 gallon
flue-damper water heaters with EF ..69-.70 save about 2% energy cost
per year vs ordinary non-dampered atmospheric water heater.
The
damper and electronics require electrical outlet that should be
dedicated and should be protected from electrical surge that can knock
out water
heater controls. This water heater is usually repairable following FVIR event. Brass drain
valve and air intake filter on bottom of heater reduce potential repairs.
Good installation manual, shows maintenance and basic troubleshoot and repairs. No
specific service manual posted for AO Smith brand Flue damper water heaters. |
 |
Review
Kenmore
energy-star water heater/ Made by American/ AO Smith
Resource
Read detailed review 2012
Summary
Sold under different brand names now: State, Lochinvar, American
Kenmore
warranty is usually printed clearly in the manual, and in year
2012.
Warranty
is 6 years
tank and parts for single-family residential installation.
40
and 50 gallon
flue-damper water heaters with EF .67 save about 2% per year vs over ordinary non-dampered water heater.
Plugs into 120 volt electric outlet. Outlet that should be
dedicated and should be protected from electrical surge that can knock
out water
heater controls.
Plastic drain
valve and air intake on bottom of heater are workmanlike. There is no
specific service manual posted for flue damper water heaters. Product manual has
good instructions for maintaining and repairing water heater.
|
 |
Bradford White flue damper series .67 EF/ same rating as AO Smith flue
damper series
Resources:
Bradford-white-flue-damper-manual
Bradford-white-flue-damper-error-codes
Bradford-white-flue-damper-spec-sheet |
 Customer
can easily install flue damper water heater
How to install gas water heater
2019 product manual with installation
American brand product manual
2014 whirlpool product manual
State brand product manual
|
 |
Warranties
by brand
Kenmore water heater warranty is printed in each product manual
Example Kenmore water heater warranty
Rheem: Example 6 year Rheem water heater manual
from 2003
Rheem warranty claim form
Rheem parts warranty claim form
American Residential: Example American residential warranty 2006
Reliance gas water heater warranty
Rheem Marathon: Example Marathon warranty
GE Heat pump GE Hybrid water heater manual
Bradford White :Bradford White warranty policy and coverage
GE: GE water heater warranties
Rheem Heat pump warranty 2009 |
What
do water heater warranties mean?
|
What water heater warranties mean
Unless water heater is specifically sold for commercial
installation, then warranties are for original-owner, single-family,
residential
installation, and apply only when water heater is installed and
maintained according to
printed information in product manual.
Most residential warranties are non-transferable, but when warranty is
transferable, then coverage is considerably reduced.
If water heater is not rated for
commercial application, the warranty is void or considerably reduced
when
installed in commercial building or apartment.
Warranties are
broken into two parts: Tank and tank parts. Tanks are warranted not to
leak during warranty period. Parts are warranted against failure due
poor workmanship. There is no 100% guarantee that water heater will
work flawlessly and without needing service. Every product manual says
that water heater must be installed correctly and maintained |
 |
American Powerflex water
heater/ power direct vent
PVG62-40T42-NV
PVG62-50T42NV
Power vent. EF .67 Cost to operate $270 per year, no pilot light.
Takes air supply from outside the home and does not work against
heat-air. Can be installed inside closed room.
24"
clearance front of water heater, 4" on each side for inspection and
service. Typically, gas water heaters require minimum 18-24" clearance
at top of water heater. Can be installed on combustible floor such as
plywood. Do not install on carpet.
Use 2" or 3" Schedule 40 PVC or
ABS vent pipe. Use long-sweep elbows only. Vent requires condensate
drain to keep condensate from entering blower.
Brass drain valve. 1/2" gas connection 2" foam
insulation.
Plugs into 120Volt outlet. Intellivent gas control can be reset after
FVIR event.
Factory heat traps save $2 energy cost per year but can cause clogs.
Better to install own heat trap.
6 year warranty, 2" foam insulation
Maintenance p 18
Replace parts 19
Troubleshoot & error codes p21-22
single-use ECO
Resources
Spec sheet
Product manual
Gas control service manual
Powerflex parts
Powerflex energy guide label
Powerflex warranty
50 gallon At Amazon
|
 |
Honeywell icon gas control
valve
Bradford
White ICON gas water heater timer
Honeywell service manuals
Objective: Save energy
Gas valve communicates with timer and other features.
Gas valve connects to timer |
 |
Intellivent service manuals |
 |
Review gas water heater
timer
|
 |
Review power anode rod
|
 |
Review basic water heater parts |
|
Water heater manuals
|
Resources
Water heater manufacturers
Whirlpool product manuals
AO Smith service manuals
AO Smith product literature
Bradford White service manuals and product
manuals
American product manuals
State product manuals
State residential manuals
Reliance product manuals
Rheem posts generic manuals by type of
product
American Standard manuals |
Avoid
Tankless Hype
Resources
Pro-n-con Tankless
Troubleshoot Rheem tankless
Read side-by-side test results
Read hidden cost of tankless
|
