Time for a new water heater

[EVOLVO]

Our NG water heater is about 12 YO and is getting slower and slower on recovery. Time for a new one. Even when it was new I noticed that the hysteresis was pretty big. I called the manufacturer who told me there was no adjustment possible for this and they actually suggested running the hot water for 10 or 15 minutes so the thermostat would kick the heater on. That's money down the drain in my book so we have found strategies to work around this problem over the years, but they are getting less effective.
Does anyone know of a NG water heater with a short hysteresis? We explored on demand heaters but determined the retrofit would be cost prohibitive, we use NG for house heating, cooking and water and would have to install a bigger gas meter and pipes in order to have the required gas volume.
Thanx in advance for any suggestions!

 

[Robert Hall]

You might mention how large it is, how long the cycle time is, etc.

 

[EVOLVO]

It's a fifty gallon tank. We do the dishes after dinner and the shower that evening is good and hot. The next mornings shower the control lever is hard over to the hot side and the shower is not hot, only warm.

 

[jvitez]

I had the same problem with the water heater in our old house. In my experience NG water heaters do have a larger ⌂ T than electric water heaters. IIRC it's designed that way to allow the burner to run longer for higher efficiency. But I do remember the ⌂T getting wider as the heater aged.

I'm not sure if there's anything you can do. All tank type water heaters have very similar parts, and are only made by a few manufacturers that put a zillion different labels on the same unit.

 

[EVOLVO]

Thanx jvitez, guess I'll be looking into going back to electric water heater!

 

[michaeleagleton]

You should choose electric water heater.

 

[mygarageone]

You have NG and you are thinking Elec ? One of the. Causes of a water heater doing what yours is . The probe of the gas control will get coated with iron or lime and if you have high enough parts per million you tank bottom also get covered acting as an insulator.
Does your water percolate when the burner is on ! If so that is your recovery problem.

 

[bazar01]

You have NG and you are thinking Elec ? One of the. Causes of a water heater doing what yours is . The probe of the gas control will get coated with iron or lime and if you have high enough parts per million you tank bottom also get covered acting as an insulator.
Does your water percolate when the burner is on ! If so that is your recovery problem.

Would you know what is the recommended procedure to flush the deposits in the bottom of a water heater? Will I clog the drain valve opening if done by just attaching a water hose on the spicket by usual gravity draining?

 

[ADSR]

You have NG and you are thinking Elec ?

No kidding! Just go to home depots site and take a look at yearly cost to run. NG units are like 200 bucks. Electric are close to 700! You could have two NG units and still be ahead over one electric unit.

 

[mygarageone]

Would you know what is the recommended procedure to flush the deposits in the bottom of a water heater? Will I clog the drain valve opening if done by just attaching a water hose on the spicket by usual gravity draining?

They make a product you pour into the water htr to dissolve the mineral
Deposits , do as the instructions say and then flush it out.

 

[rburke65]

I just put an electric water heater in this month. 40 gallon from H. Depot, 9 year, was $388. And as far as has costing $200 and electric $700 allthatwill depend on your BTU utility costs, usage, maintenance, insulation, etc.

 

[rlitman]

Before you go and swap the heater:

Is the dip tube broken? If so, that will really reduce the hot water capacity (makes a 50 gallon work like a 20 gallon).

Did you drain the bottom to get any sediment out?

Do you have a clogged flame screen (google this)?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Before you go and swap the heater:

Is the dip tube broken? If so, that will really reduce the hot water capacity (makes a 50 gallon work like a 20 gallon).

Did you drain the bottom to get any sediment out?

Do you have a clogged flame screen (google this)?

I was just thinking the same thing(s)... If you hook up your garden hose to the bottom and drain it, you are likely to get a ton of chunks of calcium out if you have hard water.

 

[rsanter]

Where are you located?
What are your electric rates verses gas rates?
And do you have to pay for your water?

Those will decide which is better.
I have high electric rates and a water bill. The tankless is a savings for me and I love that thing.

Bob

 

[MrMark]

If it is 12 years old it is done. Hard water kills these things. I only get 8-10 out of a heater. Anyone suggesting electric over gas is plain crazy and obviously does not have gas.

 

[EVOLVO]

If it is 12 years old it is done. Hard water kills these things. I only get 8-10 out of a heater. Anyone suggesting electric over gas is plain crazy and obviously does not have gas.

I just found the original sales receipt dated 2/7/00, Almost 14yo to the day.
On the other hand I was out the door back then for $520, today's quote, $1100!
When I bite this bullet I think all my teeth may fall out
Thanx again everyone for all the input.

 

[mygarageone]

Generally elec W. Htrs are not a better deal than Gas . Yes the dip tube is something to look at and to really get the mineral deposits flushed our really good is to take the drain valve right off and do it that way.
Water heaters can last a very long time even if you have deposits , but they can cause higher fuel bills and slower recovery. Regular maintenance is the best thing to keep them running a long time.
Before you go out and buy a elec W htr , check the cost for your area opposed to N gas , don't just jump into this with out some research.

 

[mygarageone]

I just found the original sales receipt dated 2/7/00, Almost 14yo to the day.
On the other hand I was out the door back then for $520, today's quote, $1100!
When I bite this bullet I think all my teeth may fall out
Thanx again everyone for all the input.

Is that for a power vent unit ? I hope so for that much money.

 

[EVOLVO]

Is that for a power vent unit ? I hope so for that much money.

DV not power.

 

[MrMark]

DV Bradford White 50 gallon is about 400 straight from the plumbing supplier. They sell these things at close to cost as a loss leader from what I can figure out. You get the same price as the plumber, at least here. This is one case where a plumbing supply is cheaper than Home Depot for a better product. About the only one I know of. Take advantage.

Gas is way faster recovery too. Try drying clothes in an electric compared to a gas. No comparison.

Your problem would be solved by a recirc system to get the gas heater to kick on if it has been sitting a while and the water temp is near the bottom of the delta T for the thermostat.

I don't know if electric is set up to have a tighter delta T than gas. I tend to doubt it though. You don't want too small a T differential, as the unit would be constantly kicking on and wasting fuel. One longer cycle has got to be more efficient than many short ones.

 

[Falcon67]

Gas is way faster recovery too. Try drying clothes in an electric compared to a gas. No comparison.

This. Our old house had a 30 gallon NG unit, never a problem for us even when we had 4 in the house. New house has a 50 gallon electric to give similar service for only 2 persons. My supervisor just built a new house, has 2 boys total 4 in the house - he put in dual 50 electrics to be sure they always had hot water.