Box store vs supply house water heaters

[Touring5]

I'm looking to change the anode rod in a 4 year old Richmond (Rheem) water heater. I'm having difficulty in accessing the rod because of a thick plastic collar surrounding it. I did a googoo search and read that the longer warranteed units actually have 2 or 3 anode rods but 1 or 2 are hidden behind a plastic cover. This suuggests the lower tier units are intended to have a limited lifespan.

I've replaced water heaters in this house 4 times over a 50 year span. The original from the 60's was still good when replaced at 23 years. The next unit lasted for 18 years until it leaked. The replaced leaked in less than 4 years.

The one that only made it 3+ years was installed when we switched from well water to municipal utility. And, yes, my water has a softener.

 

[Rob_Roy]

Anode rods are tough to remove unless you use an impact. The last time I replaced a water heater I removed the factory anode rod and replaced it with an electric anode. This was mainly to prevent an odor, but it will be interesting to see how long the water heater lasts compared to the precious 2 (6 years each).

 

[gman2304]

Anode rods are tough to remove unless you use an impact

This keeps me from attempting the anode replacement. My 50 gallon is on a pedestal and I’m sure I would manage to bung up something else in the process! I’ve drained it a couple of times but that’s it as far as maintenance.

 

[Arc]

My gas tankless had to be on the outside wall of my garage due to the need for venting the spent gas fumes. It sucks being mounted out there. Anything below 20 degrees and I have to leave the hot water dripping on the faucets or else I’ve got a frozen pipe. At this point I would be happy with a traditional tank electric water heater mounted in a closet in the house. At least all the pipes are better protected.

Actually the neighbor is on his second one. He put it in during new construction and didn't turn it on so the water froze and busted it along with all the new water lines. I told him to energize it if he turned the water on but he's young and knows better than I do.

I've never seen one mounted outside, seems there should be a way to have it inside using a vent like they do on gas water heaters.

 

[Arc]

A yearly cleaning is recommended for TWHs, maybe more often if your water has minerals. Doesn't look like a big deal but it is more involved than draining a tank and checking the anode rod. Supposedly they don't last long here.

I never remember to check the anode and I never get around to draining mine. Might be why I go through so many water heaters. As soon as I read your reply it reminded me it's been 10 or fifteen years since I installed the last one and haven't once checked it. I might be getting a tankless one sooner than I thought.

 

[Lubener]

it's been 10 or fifteen years since I installed the last one and haven't once checked it.

Don't feel bad. My water quality is so good I haven't changed the rod in my 18 year old tank. Two drain and flushes a year from day one has been my maintenance plan.

 

[GON]

I'm looking to change the anode rod in a 4 year old Richmond (Rheem) water heater. I'm having difficulty in accessing the rod because of a thick plastic collar surrounding it. I did a googoo search and read that the longer warranteed units actually have 2 or 3 anode rods but 1 or 2 are hidden behind a plastic cover. This suuggests the lower tier units are intended to have a limited lifespan.

I've replaced water heaters in this house 4 times over a 50 year span. The original from the 60's was still good when replaced at 23 years. The next unit lasted for 18 years until it leaked. The replaced leaked in less than 4 years.

The one that only made it 3+ years was installed when we switched from well water to municipal utility. And, yes, my water has a softener.

Your post identifies a potential new risk/ exposure when it comes to water heaters.

The question now is "are replacement water heaters likely to last as long, or longer than the water heater they are replacing?"

If one looks at refrigerators as an example, the answer is a resounding no.

 

[rijndael]

I've never seen one mounted outside, seems there should be a way to have it inside using a vent like they do on gas water heaters.

It's very common in TX.

 

[walterjay]

Your post identifies a potential new risk/ exposure when it comes to water heaters.

The question now is "are replacement water heaters likely to last as long, or longer than the water heater they are replacing?"

If one looks at refrigerators as an example, the answer is a resounding no.

Having sold and installed thousands of water heaters in my career I can honestly say that the longevity of heaters has not improved.

 

[Lubener]

Having sold and installed thousands of water heaters in my career I can honestly say that the longevity of heaters has not improved.

Nothing I can think of is built better now than it was years ago.

 

[dlundblad]

I didn’t know there was difference.

I imagine box stores sell more and therefore have a better price?

 

[Tharber]

I prefer to purchase Bradford White. They are an American owned and employee owned company and produce their own water heaters.

 

[Hall]

I'm looking to change the anode rod in a 4 year old Richmond (Rheem) water heater. I'm having difficulty in accessing the rod because of a thick plastic collar surrounding it.

You should be able to just pull (pry) that off. It's just a thin "plug". Apparently you'll find the hex head will be covered by insulation once you get the plug or cover off, but just cut it up and remove enough to get your socket in there.

This keeps me from attempting the anode replacement. My 50 gallon is on a pedestal and I’m sure I would manage to bung up something else in the process!

You don't have an impact ? If not, I wouldn't attempt to remove it with a breaker bar unless you have help. You'll need someone to hold the water heater while the other person turns the breaker bar. Make sure to have a long pipe for add'l leverage too.

 

[nthach]

my parents have a GE-branded Rheem installed in 2010, 12-year warranty. It’s now on year 16. I’ve had to replace the thermocouple/pilot assembly once. Haven’t checked the anode on it.

We bought it from HD. The supply houses here sell Bradford White or Rheem’s pro line. HD also sells Rheem - they were GE-branded. Next one might be a tankless.

 

[rszappa1]

Will box stores sell you a gas water heater or do you have to have them install it????

 

[Nessism1]

Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places, but most "pro" brands come with a 6 year warranty, and the better "box store" brands have 9/10. Why?

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Will box stores sell you a gas water heater or do you have to have them install it????

In Kansas/Missouri, box stores can sell you a gas heater. No requirement to have a professional install, unless there is a local requirement to d so.

 

[User_19876]

Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places, but most "pro" brands come with a 6 year warranty, and the better "box store" brands have 9/10. Why?

This I couldn’t figure out either. I wonder if it has something to do with professional plumbers not wanting to have a long warranty hanging over their head? If you look at the true, heavy commercial units ($5k plus), they have comparatively short warranties as well.

Will box stores sell you a gas water heater or do you have to have them install it????

I live in a relatively free state. It’s cash-and-carry here. No license required.

 

[Hall]

Will box stores sell you a gas water heater or do you have to have them install it????

In Ohio, absolutely. I can't think of anything sold in big box stores that have restrictions on who can buy.

Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places, but most "pro" brands come with a 6 year warranty, and the better "box store" brands have 9/10. Why?

I'll bet to a large degree they are counting on people not keeping track of their warranty, forgetting how long it's for, or simply being a case of "we need our water heater replaced now and can't deal with getting a warranty claim".

This I couldn’t figure out either. I wonder if it has something to do with professional plumbers not wanting to have a long warranty hanging over their head? If you look at the true, heavy commercial units ($5k plus), they have comparatively short warranties as well.

In the case of a pro install and warranty, yeah, I guess in many cases, you'll call the shop that installed it and make them handle everything. I was thinking though if you called the manufacturer, they may have contractors/plumbers they work with - at negotiated rates - that they have handle the replacements. The original installer very well might not want this "hanging over their head" like you say, plus it may be a case where the rate the manufacturer pays for these jobs isn't profitable enough.

 

[Nessism1]

In Ohio, absolutely. I can't think of anything sold in big box stores that have restrictions on who can buy.

I'll bet to a large degree they are counting on people not keeping track of their warranty, forgetting how long it's for, or simply being a case of "we need our water heater replaced now and can't deal with getting a warranty claim".

In the case of a pro install and warranty, yeah, I guess in many cases, you'll call the shop that installed it and make them handle everything. I was thinking though if you called the manufacturer, they may have contractors/plumbers they work with - at negotiated rates - that they have handle the replacements. The original installer very well might not want this "hanging over their head" like you say, plus it may be a case where the rate the manufacturer pays for these jobs isn't profitable enough.

Some years back, when our AC/heat pump unit went out, the installer was more than happy to replace the compressor for us under warranty. Some work is better than none. Maybe not always the case, though.