Best water heater

[d33pt]

Looking at replacing my old water heater and moving it outside. What's the best brand, or any brands I should stay away from? I've heard that there is no difference between the different models within a certain brand, you're just paying more for a longer warranty. Is that true?

When I moved it outside, does it need to be elevated? Most heaters I see are elevated a couple of feet. Not sure if there is a specific reason for this.

 

[59 wagon man]

gas or lp? tank or tankless? what size is your current unit?why do you wanna move it outside? exposed to the elements

 

[trythis]

does it need to be elevated? Most heaters I see are elevated a couple of feet. Not sure if there is a specific reason for this.

I think the elevation is for gas fumes on the ground that would cause... forget all that typing...yanked from wikipedia:
"and many codes require, that it be elevated at least 18 inches (0.46 m) above the floor to reduce the potential for fire or explosion due to spillage or leakage of combustible liquids in the garage. "

 

[ishiboo]

I think the elevation is for gas fumes on the ground that would cause... forget all that typing...yanked from wikipedia:
"and many codes require, that it be elevated at least 18 inches (0.46 m) above the floor to reduce the potential for fire or explosion due to spillage or leakage of combustible liquids in the garage. "

Besides the fact it's code in many(?) municipalities, water heaters are also dirt-cheap steel and crappy paint jobs and rust easily. You want it off the ground

 

[d33pt]

It will be natural gas. Tanked..probably a 50 gallon. Moving outside to free up space for a bathroom remodel. I thought about going tankless, but I don't think it will be worth it. We have hard water, and I think it will cause issues for a tankless. I don't want to put in a softener too.

 

[EdT]

If you're talking "outside" like just sitting in the yard or next to the building I don't think you're going to find a heater that's set up for that. The first time it rains, the water will get between the tank and the outer shell and bad things will happen especially if it's insulated with fiberglass which will cease to be insulation once it's wet and will become a mold farm accelerating the rust out of the whole thing. There may also be some issue with the electrics for a pilotless heater or issues with the pilot blowing out on a more traditional unit. (not sure you can even get a standing pilot unit anymore). If you're talking "outdoors" like in an unheated space but under cover, some of the above issues go away but you will pay a lot more for keeping it all hot. Depending on where you live, I would also be concerned about the water lines into and out of the heater freezing. No one will be happy if the hot water pipes freeze up and you may be VERY unhappy when they thaw out and start to leak.

 

[d33pt]

it will be outside under a covered patio, inside a steel enclosure that they make for this purpose. i will probably insulate the enclosure. I live in san diego, where a "cold snap" is 35F at night. Not worried about freezing pipes. The current one I have is about 30 years old, so i think anything i get will be alot more efficient anyway.

 

[59 wagon man]

notmuch off a difference besides looks unless you go for some of the more efficient heaters they can easily 3x-4x the cost of the heater. most new heaters are sealed combustion meaning they no longer have to be elevated 18" off the floor. this was done to protect from low lying gasoline fumes in the garage when the water heater lite. state,ao smith, home depot and lowes i believe are all made in a plant in tenn

 

[garageking]

i saw a outdoor tankless waterheater on tv but i dont know who makes it,i have an indoor tankless,i have a bosch and no regrets

 

[brewster]

it will be outside under a covered patio, inside a steel enclosure that they make for this purpose. i will probably insulate the enclosure. I live in san diego, where a "cold snap" is 35F at night. Not worried about freezing pipes. The current one I have is about 30 years old, so i think anything i get will be alot more efficient anyway.

I would buy the same brand as the one you currently have, damn 30 years, you can't beat that.

 

[tomstin]

Go tankless and mount it on the wall outside. I have a Rinnai for three years now and have been very happy with it.

 

[klhitman]

my water heater sits out in my unheated garage and it is wrapped with insulation and the pipes are double wrapped with pipe insulation haven't had a problem and it gets damn cold out there. below 30 degrees. i don't like it out there but when i bought the house i didn't know any better.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

http://myaquahut.com/

http://www.watts.com/pages/_products_details.asp?pid=3442

Charles

 

[d33pt]

I would buy the same brand as the one you currently have, damn 30 years, you can't beat that.

that is true. for some reason i just assumed they weren't in business anymore. i just looked it up again. it was made by Reliance. and the date on it is 1979!

my water heater is as old as i am.