Home electric water heater replacement

[LeeG]

My water heater hasn't yet failed, but it is 16 years old and I'd prefer to do it before I have a leak to deal with. It is located in my garage, in a small (22" x 22") alcove in the corner. The opening is 1/2" wider than the water heater.



The only water heaters I can find locally are Rheem, and the only ones that fit in the space are 14" taller than the one I have now. This puts the water heater higher than the stub outs that are in the wall for the inlet/outlet pipes. I believe that the easiest thing to do in this case is to lower the platform the water heater is sitting on so that all of the connections remain at the same level. Any thoughts on that or other things I should do when doing this replacement?

I have started on making an overflow pan for this to sit in. I am going to form it from some 22g steel I have and size it to fit the opening exactly. I'd appreciate any other ideas or thoughts on what else I should do at this time.

Lee

 

[mike93lx]

A drain pan would be very smart. Any idea what's under the stand?

Where is the t&p valve running to? That should be visible so you know if something is wrong

 

[billconner]

It seems you have it well in hand.

 

[nadogail]

Can you order a heater that will fit in your opening and hold your breath until it arrives?

I am now using Sharkbite Flex Hoses when I replace the water heaters in my rentals. The additional cost of those hoses is more than made up for in the savings in labor. The danger of an accidental fire from soldering the pipes is eliminated. That has to be worth something.

 

[jrsavoie]

If it's working and not leaking, I'd run it until it quits.

It might last as long as any new water heater out there.

Our electric is about 30 years old. I have often thought about replacing it with a propane.

Longevity is the biggest factor in not replacing it.

If you get another 10 years out of it, you can worry about what's available at that time. Which you will probably be doing even if you replace it with a new water heater now?

Are you near Illinois?

If so, I would take that water heater off your hands if you remove it.

 

[BillK]

I am going to agree with JR. Our original electric heater lasted almost 25 years and the only reason we replaced it was they ran natural gas down our street and offered free hook ups so we replaced the water heater and our oil furnace with gas.

If you decide to replace it I would think it would be a lot easier to find one that fits the space rather than go through all of the modifications ???

 

[mike93lx]

At least check the anode if you think about keeping it

 

[SmartShoe]

What about replacing it with an electric tankless water heater? They are small and seems like one would easily fit in that space.

 

[mike93lx]

What about replacing it with an electric tankless water heater? They are small and seems like one would easily fit in that space.

Electric tankless can require three 40a two-pole breakers. Not usually something that would just be retrofitted

 

[Norcal]

What about replacing it with an electric tankless water heater? They are small and seems like one would easily fit in thatous space.

While I am a propane hater, this is a situation where a gas tankless would be ideal, because a electric model will require a service upgrade to 400A (320A continuous ) as a 200A service will not be adequate. See post #9.

 

[Renegade1LI]

If you're staying with electric look at the Rheem hybrid, i just bought 2. With the current rebate here, 1000$ plus a 300$ tax credit I'll break even quick.

 

[Milton Shaw]

In a garage setup you have a height requirement off the floor because of the possibility of gas fumes. I don't think you can get away with lowering the platform it sets on. Most water heaters now are going to be a different size, diameter, and height due to efficiency ratings that they have to meet now. Check all the measurements and you may not be able to find one that will fit without a lot of reworking of that opening. I ran into this just recently changing a Gas water heater for a friend. Same gallon, much larger diameter and 12-14 inches taller. Lots of luck finding one to fit. Do check codes on height in garage for heater mount.

 

[billconner]

In a garage setup you have a height requirement off the floor because of the possibility of gas fumes.

For electric water heaters? I think that's just appliances with flames.

 

[manwithtools]

In a garage setup you have a height requirement off the floor because of the possibility of gas fumes. I don't think you can get away with lowering the platform it sets on. Most water heaters now are going to be a different size, diameter, and height due to efficiency ratings that they have to meet now. Check all the measurements and you may not be able to find one that will fit without a lot of reworking of that opening. I ran into this just recently changing a Gas water heater for a friend. Same gallon, much larger diameter and 12-14 inches taller. Lots of luck finding one to fit. Do check codes on height in garage for heater mount.

For electric water heaters? I think that's just appliances with flames.

Height requirement only exists for water heaters having an ignition source, i.e. natural gas or propane fired water heaters. Electric water heaters do not have a code required height of installation above the floor.

 

[manwithtools]

OP, measure carefully as newer heaters are typically larger than older ones to energy efficiency requirements that necessitate more insulation, thus making the outside diameter larger.

 

[Milton Shaw]

For electric water heaters? I think that's just appliances with flames.

You still have sparks from thermostat clicking on and off. I still would not want a spark source at the floor in a garage with potential for gas fumes. I know it is worse with gas heaters.

 

[billconner]

You still have sparks from thermostat clicking on and off. I still would not want a spark source at the floor in a garage with potential for gas fumes. I know it is worse with gas heaters.

So nothing electric that low?

I think the concern for gas fumes igniting has been greatly ameliorated by modern cars. And that it's not required by code suggests it not a big hazard. Goes along with the deletion of the step up into house from attach garage.

 

[larry4406]

Here's an excerpt from an older 2012 IRC Code (yes 10 years ago) I have on my computer regarding the 18" height above the garage floor. It says only ignition source - not electric vs gas appliances. Perhaps someone with ready access to a more current version can look this section up.

I know that for my gas meters, they consider connections/junctions at simple AC disconnects as an ignition source so we have stay-away distances for those. With that logic, the thermostat making/breaking power to the heating elements on an electric water heater might be the same potential arc ignition source.

 

[billconner]

FWIW, I believe all water heaters manufactured since since around 2005 meet the exception and don't have to be raised.

Exception: Elevation of the ignition source is not required for appliances that are listed as flammable-vapor-ignition resistant.

Even gas.

FVIR (Flammable Vapor Ignition-Resistant) Water Heaters | Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training

Natural gas and propane (LP) fired water heaters have caused fires in some homes where flammable liquids such as gasoline...

www.carsondunlop.com

 

[jrsavoie]

If you're staying with electric look at the Rheem hybrid, i just bought 2. With the current rebate here, 1000$ plus a 300$ tax credit I'll break even quick.

We are currently having water heater difficulties. We have an 80 gallon electric. Vaughan S80.

I will probably look for a Vaughn again. This one lasted 28 years so far. On a search it said 28 years was the average life expectancy of a Vaughn water heater.

For now I am replacing the lower element.

We'll see how that works out.

I saw the hybrids while I was searching. But didn't check them out.
What exactly are they?

 

[mike93lx]

We are currently having water heater difficulties. We have an 80 gallon electric. Vaughan S80.

I will probably look for a Vaughn again. This one lasted 28 years so far. On a search it said 28 years was the average life expectancy of a Vaughn water heater.

For now I am replacing the lower element.

We'll see how that works out.

I saw the hybrids while I was searching. But didn't check them out.
What exactly are they?

Heat pumps with electric backup

 

[jrsavoie]

Heat pumps with electric backup

So they aren't a self contained unit?
Do they need a buried line?

 

[Renegade1LI]

So they aren't a self contained unit?
Do they need a buried line?

They are self contained, the heat pump is on top of the heater, looks just like any other water heater. I am a big fan of heat pumps, they've come a long way in efficiency. I have a 3 ton unit at one house and it makes heat down to 30 deg. I also liked the rebate since I wanted to replace the heater any way. I think heat pumps will continue to become more efficient, just look at how good the minisplits are.

 

[jrsavoie]

They are self contained, the heat pump is on top of the heater, looks just like any other water heater. I am a big fan of heat pumps, they've come a long way in efficiency. I have a 3 ton unit at one house and it makes heat down to 30 deg. I also liked the rebate since I wanted to replace the heater any way. I think heat pumps will continue to become more efficient, just look at how good the minisplits are.

Thanks for the info.
I'll definitely look into it when the time comes.
Wife said the shower wasn't very warm this morning

 

[nadogail]

In a garage setup you have a height requirement off the floor because of the possibility of gas fumes. I don't think you can get away with lowering the platform it sets on. Most water heaters now are going to be a different size, diameter, and height due to efficiency ratings that they have to meet now. Check all the measurements and you may not be able to find one that will fit without a lot of reworking of that opening. I ran into this just recently changing a Gas water heater for a friend. Same gallon, much larger diameter and 12-14 inches taller. Lots of luck finding one to fit. Do check codes on height in garage for heater mount.

I understand the height requirement for a Gas (natural or propane) but question the need for an electric water heater.

 

[billconner]

See my post #19 above - raising not necessary any longer.