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Which is best electric water heater
Which is best gas water heater
 
Use 6 wraps teflon tape
? White for water lines
? Yellow for gas lines

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Teflon tape at Amazon

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Pipe wrench at Amazon
Channel locks

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How to remove rusted element


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Knipex channel locks
Irwin pliers
replace anode rod
Inspect anode each 2-5 years
Anode rod prevents tank from rusting
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Anode rods at Amazon

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Replace anode rod
How to maintain water heater

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Impact wrench at Amazon

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Replace anode rod
How to remove short water heater nipple
Water pressure gauge

Pressure gauge/ attach to water heater drain valve
Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing
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Water pressure gauge
Temperature-pressure gauge

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Identify water heater valves
Troubleshoot water pressure
Automatic water heater shut off valve
Prevent flood
Automatic water shut off valve
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Water detectors at Amazon
Automatic water heater leak shut off at Amazon
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Leaking water heater/ steps
Pressure reducing valve
Pressure reducing valve
Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater and household plumbing
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Pressure reducing valve

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Identify water heater valves
Troubleshoot water pressure
Sharkbite pressure gauge
Sharkbite pressure gauge

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Sharkbite pressure gauge

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Water heater valves

Water heater circulation system

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Grundfos at Amazon

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How to install recirculation system
COLD side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector
COLD side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector

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Sharkbite water heater connection
Braided water heater line
Stainless steel flexible connection

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How to install electric water heater
How to install gas water heater
Leaking water heater
HOT side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector
HOT side Sharkbite flexible water heater connector

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Sharkbite water heater connection
Braided water heater line
Stainless steel flexible connection
Braided water heater line
Flexible water heater connection

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How to install electric water heater
How to install gas water heater
Leaking water heater
Energy standards
Source: New-water-heater-rules/ pdf
New energy standard April 2015
More than 55 gallon: More technology = more maintenance and higher cost.
Electric water heaters over 55 gallon must be heat pump to meet energy standards

Less than 55 gallon: 30-40-50 gallon tank: more insulation, larger size, higher efficiency, higher cost, but otherwise remain mostly unchanged after 2015 energy standard.

If you are running short of hot water
Calculate first hour
Ways to increase hot water
Two water heaters
What size water heater

If electric bill is too high:
Water heater causing high electric bill
9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater
Any brand 30-40-50 gallon tank-type electric is good
For easy DIY repairs, avoid electronic controls and choose ordinary tank heater.
Ordinary tank heater can be repaired and maintained to last almost indefinitely if anode is changed each 3-5 years, the water softener is not set too high, the heater is properly grounded, location is protected from freezing temperatures, sediment is cleaned out periodically, water supply is reasonably clean or filtered., and water is void of reactive chemicals.

AO Smith brand is my preferred recommendation, Whirlpool, State, Reliance, American, Kenmore, Craftmaster are AO Smith brands.
Bradford White uses combo anodes. Combo anode rods are not best choice since they are difficult to replace.
Rheem makes Reliant, GE ... and does not post repair or maintenance manuals. Rheem is pushing proprietary parts to end DIY, that might be sold at higher price.

Despite opinions about anode rods, business-practices and electronics .... all three major manufactures make a good product. Warranties are same across all brands.

Resources
How to maintain water heater
Anode rods
How to repair electric water heater
How to install electric water heater
Convert electronic water heater to ordinary
New 30-40-50 gallon tanks have .95 efficiency
Chart shows 2012 and 2015 efficiency standard for electric water heaters. Efficiency is a comparative measure of two simulated conditions: How efficiently the unit uses fuel, and heat retention during 'stand-by'.
Efficiency is a formula: EF - (.0003 x tank volume)
2012 efficiency standard shows .94-.90 efficiency
2015 standard raises the efficiency to .95. The only difference is more insulation, resulting in larger size tank.
Electric heaters have higher efficiency than gas heaters, but cost more to operate than gas, because gas delivers more BTUs per unit of fuel.

Resources
Two water heaters
What size water heater
Source of chart
EcoSmart
EcoSmart

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EcoSmart tankless

Resource
EcoSmart manual
On-demand electric heaters cost more to operate and might require larger electric service
Whole house tankless consume more energy per gallon of heated water. That's because water must be heated as it quickly passes though the heat exchanger.
If home sips hot water, a tankless can save money. But for average family consumption a ordinary tank water heater is a cheaper alternative.
Tankless cannot be exposed to more than 11 grains hardness in water. A softener is required. Heat exchanger must be delimed each year to maintain efficiency.
Water filter located on unit should be checked and cleaned once every 6 months. Maintenance and repairs are generally not DIY. Unit cannot be maintained to last forever.
In winter, colder incoming water reduces the amount of hot water that can be delivered to tap. So areas with warmer year-round temperatures, or a naturally warm water supply (over 60°F) will benefit. But tank heater enjoy same benefit and will cost less to operate if incoming water is warmer.
Tankless are not 'instant' hot water unless you install a small tankless unit under sink. it takes just as long for hot to get to tap as a tank heater.
Electrical demand for whole house tankless can be 120 amps. Most home services are 150-200-250 amp. Check amp rating of main breaker. 120 amp demand can quickly overtax average household service panel. Minimum 250 amp service upgrade is required.

Resources

How-to-wire-Tankless-electric-water-heater.html
How to install under counter water heater
Heat pump water heater is only electric heater available in 80 gallon size
April 2015 energy standard required manufactures to meet higher efficiency. The only way to provide 80 gallon and still meet energy standard was to increase technology (and sale price + inconvenience for folks on a budget or with small living space). Option is to install two regular water heaters.
Resources
Two water heaters
What size water heater

... might save money if unit is installed in attic or garage that is naturally warm, and unit does not require repairs ... but ordinary water heater will have same advantages if located in naturally warm location, plus ordinary is fully DIY repairable.
Heat pump requires incoming air supply, Which draws air into the house much like a gas water heater. This works against the HVAC system and consumes additional energy. Because of the need for air supply, heat pump cannot be located in a small closet, sealed store room, or dirty, dusty environment like laundry room or shop. Heat pump air intake screen needs to be cleaned periodically. Installation location requires floor drain for condensation that can drip from unit.
Heat pump uses ambient air temperature to heat water.
If heater is installed in an air-conditioned or heated house, then the unit consumes energy put out from the HVAC system to heat water. This works against the predicted savings, since the HVAC is supplying the ambient air temperature and must work harder to heat the water.

Heat pump cannot be maintained to last forever, the anode rod that prevents rusting and requires inspection each 1-3 years, is located under the compressor and is not easily accessible. Contrast regular tank heater that can be maintained to last forever.
Heat pump repairs are expensive and generally not DIY.
Resources
Typical heat pump service manual

Heat pumps are not a proven savings because of repair, purchase, and replacement costs ... all costs are energy.

Resources
Review GE heat pump
Energy Smart Electric water heater
Larger image
Whirlpool Energy Smart Electric water heater
This is typical 240 Volt non-simultaneous electric water heater, except with control modes that might save money if state has peak pricing. Otherwise the same amount of electricity is needed to heat a gallon of water, the physics of water heating is not changed by setting different modes.
With ordinary use, expect same cost as same-size model as ordinary 40-50 gallon non-electronic water heater.

Energy smart can be maintained to last forever, and offers same advantages as tank type heater for DIY repair, except thermostat and controls are not sold at local hardware store.

40 gallon ENERGY SMART/   Example image of 40 gallon tank, 12 year warranty:

You can add a timer to the energy smart, and energy smart can be converted to regular tank-type non-electronic water heater as a way to sidestep expensive repairs, or unavailable parts.

Resources
Review energy smart
Cost to operate water heater.
Energy Smart Manual
How to convert energy smart water heater to ordinary water heater
Whirlpool-energy-smart-service-manual-6510306.pdf
anode rod location on typical electric water heater
Anode rod is key to tank longevity and should be easily accessible
Be sure to check if the water heater has a port for anode rod located on top of heater.
There are two basic kinds of anode rod ... combo and hex head.
If water heater has a port located on top of heater covered by plastic cap, then anode is standard 1-1/16" hex that can be removed with a socket.
The combo anode rod is different. It is connected to hot water nipple ... except the nipple may be short, and it is difficult to get a wrench on it ... and it cannot be removed easily.

Image shows anode rod location on typical hex head electric water heater.
This water heater was rusted out and needed replacement because anode was not checked and replaced periodically.
In the example shown on left, the water heater was still under warranty, and tank was covered for replacement.
Resources
How to maintain electric water heater
How to troubleshoot electric water heater
How to replace anode rod
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Buy anodes at Amazon
3-phase electric water heaters for home use:
People sometimes have opportunity to own commercial grade 3-phase electric water heater.
Three-phase electric water heaters are not more efficient, unless they are fully balanced and connected to commercial three-phase power.
Most commercial electric water heaters are non balanced, and have same efficiency as residential heaters. All heaters have rating label that specifies single or 3-phase.
Non-balanced means the electric power is not spread evenly over the three wires on the 3-phase circuit. 3-phase (non-balanced or balanced) can be converted to home-use with wiring change-over.
When installing 3-phase commercial water heater in residential home, pay attention to thermostat range and element rating...  commercial thermostats can have very high temperature range that is dangerous for residential home. Elements can be rated with too high voltage and heater will not perform as expected. Elements and thermostats are generic for both residential and non-balanced, and can be replaced.
Resources:
How to convert 3-phase water heater to single phase
Commercial 3-phase thermostats
DIY solar water heating resources:
Convert electric heater directly to solar panels/ high voltage
Convert electric heater directly to solar panels/ low voltage
2-panel system by Techluck
DIY bread box
solar recirculation systemCommercial recirculated water system:
Solar water unit
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric

How to install tankless recirculation


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
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Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
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Tools

DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
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