I had a plumber come out and he recommends replacing the 7 year old hot water heater, after diagnosing a broken dip tube. He says replacing the dip tube is going to be about $$$ to drain the heater and tilt it to install since it is stiff plastic. And there is only a few feet clearance to the ceiling. Question 1: do they make metal dip tubes? Question 2: do they make semi flexible or telescoping dip tubes? Question 3: could I put in a shorter dip tube and hope performance comes back to an acceptable level? a broken plastic dip tube just doesn’t sound like a 1-2k$$ sort of problem to me. Any suggestions or tips?
You can get PEX dip tubes now, so those are flexible...even if it was PVC you should be able to heat it up (hair dryer) and flex it enough to get it in with having 2' clearance to the ceiling... Here's a PEX one... Another... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reliance-PEX-Gas-or-Electric-Dip-Tube-52-in-H/508831401
Do you think I would need to get the broken one out or do anything to clean up the tank of the HWH? Or can I put a new one on and call it a day? thank you brenndatomu , I had a feeling the guy was under orders to drum up some revenue.
I didn’t realize it was a video first time around, but I guess he is letting the broken one stay.. and I think that is fine because we don’t drink the hot water. I just checked and the Rheem hot water heater is still under a 10-year parts and tank warranty, so I’ll give them a call tomorrow and see what happens before trying to install my own. Worst case scenerio I’m thinking about going electric because I would have to get the chimney lined on that side due to new regulations.
If you are switching to electric, consider going HPWH...very efficient! I switched to one about 15 months ago, knocked about $15-20/mo off the ole electric bill... Yeah I wouldn't worry about that old tube...no way to get it out really anyways...
part was under warranty so they are sending new dip tube with instructions on installing. Multiple plumbers said it is not worth sinking labor into a 7yr gas water heater. I am thinking I’ll swap out the dip tube as a temp fix, and then look into a HPWH. Any recommended brands? I was thinking going a bit bigger than 50G so that I can keep the temp set lower for efficiency.
Rheem/Richmond is a good one that is available at the big orange box store (also at big green, if you lived further west) The 80 gallon runs $7-800 more than the 50 gallon...personally, not sure that's a great buy over a 50 gallon. I gave ~$950 for mine a couple years ago (sale+rebate) and I recall TurboDiesel saying he saw the 50 gallon for $850 (ish?) at big orange recently too...
Do you happen to know what material the dip tube is on your new one? Would it make sense to install with a pex dip tube for the corrosion resistance? I know they come with sacrificial anodes or cathodes, which probably saves the tank as well, but it seems like a sensible upgrade if/when I get a new one. A.O. Smith has a 66 gallon hybrid for $1658 shipped not including rebate.
I don't know...some sort of plastic no doubt. Speaking of rebates...I meant to mention that earlier, check around your local area, many places have rebates available on HPWH's, through power company, state, etc...some people can get them almost free after rebates/credits!
Think I should swap in the pex dip before install? I’m going to order one to have on-hand to compare to the replacement one Rheem sent me. I think my state/utility gives $650 in addition to the federal $300 rebate. I may need to get another 220v line to the utility room however. I’ll shop a little more on the units. Maybe I should get the second chimney liner installed for a basement stove? Certainly no budgetary rush/allowance on that, and might get complicated running a pipe by the gas furnace.
I doubt I'd fool with it...that's really not a very common failure...and you know how to deal with it now
I wouldn't think the Rheem HPWH would have a dip tube. The cold goes in the bottom and the hot comes out the top. (Both are side connections)
Same $1299 price here...when you come to the GTG you need to bring me a load of those things for me to sell here in Ohio Tim!
