Gas Residential Water Heater

[benjamming]

I am looking at propane water heaters for our new house. I am considering the power vent models from Bradford White, Maytag, Rheem/Ruud, and Lochinvar. However, the Bradford White is ~ $1200 for 48-gal and ~ $1300 for 65-gal. The Rheem/Ruud is ~ $1000 for their 50-gal. I haven't received pricing back yet on the other two manufacturers. This is pretty expensive IMO and gets me a lot more parts to fail such as the blower & the relays to tell the blower to turn on when water is required from the storage heater, etc.
Is there a benefit to getting a Power Vent unit vs. an atmospheric unit? I haven't priced the standard vent units yet, but I'm sure they are quite a bit less expensive. I will have to run a Class B gas pipe from the basement through the roof for the std. vent, but still.

 

[Slick 55]

For what's worth Bradford White is made in the USA and Rheem is made in Mexico. That's why I chose one when mine was replaced 2 months ago.

 

[JHZR2]

When I choose, Ill be getting an A.O. Smith or Bradford White, made in USA.

IMO, getting an atmospheric unit with as good efficiency as possible (0.63-0.64 is abot as high as they go), turning down the water temperature a few degrees and insulating all hot water pipes as much as possible is the best way t ensure low operating cost, along with simple, rugged, reliable service. Dont some of those fancier ones not work when the power is out?

JMH

 

[Pablo]

holey cricky those are steep prices.....almost like you should locate the beech in the gee-raage like the rest of us rednecks...and get a reg-lar kind.

 

[thooks]

I had a Bradford-White Propane burner when I built my house. Best darn water heater I've ever had.

With that said, the only reason for a power vent is putting it where you can't get through the roof or don't want a roof penetration.

BTW, I paid $300 for the 40 gallon WH and about $300 for installation of gas pipe and Type B flue through the roof in 1996.

Today, most residential mechanical contractors are getting $300-400 for any Type B vent through the roof, plus gas piping.

 

[gulledge]

How about a tankless? I thought they seemed interesting, but price could be problem.

 

[Slick 55]

Tankless requires special venting and often a 3/4" gas line. I'm not convinced the savings is what it's cracked up to be. They also won't work if the power is out.

 

[tom slick]

slightly OT
I have a 2 year old Bradford White 40 gallon water heater.
I had to shut off my water heater during the day while I was haivng some work done on the house. I'd turn it (and the gas line) off before leaving for work at 6:30 and turn it back on in the evening about 6:30 pm. When I'd turn it back on the pilot would light but not the burner. It took me awhile and a little disbelief to figure out that the tank maintained temp all day. with 65-70* weather it was holding 120* for 12 hours with no heat source and no add on blanket. it did that 3 days in a row. I think that is pretty danged effecient!

 

[thooks]

Too Slick,

I remember when I was single and would travel "back home" on Friday afternoon and come back Sunday evening. I would shut the (B-W) water heater off on Friday morning after my shower.

One Sunday night I forgot to turn the burner back on. I just left it on pilot.

I still was able to take a warm shower Monday morning after the water heater had been off all weekend.

Contrary to what some people say and believe, that burner usually doesn't kick on until there is a significant amount of water used from the heater.

 

[Tones]

I also like the Bradford White. It is well made and has a real brass drain valve. So many now come with plastic drain valves. I don't have the power vent model though.

 

[KBFXDLI]

I just bought an 80 gal Bradford White versus the 2 50 gal tanks most builders install (I have 3 daughters so hot water is a commodity here). The B-W does a great job and recovers as fast as you use it. We can take 5 showers & run laundry & the dishwasher and still not run that thing out of hot water. It's energy efficient as well.

 

[benjamming]

Thanks for all the great replies. I couldn't believe the prices I was quoted for the power vent models. The reason I was looking at a power vent model was b/c I can put it anywhere in the basement. I don't have an easy place to put the standard vent w/h in the basement and be able to run a chase through one of the closets and up through the roof without any elbows.

I believe we may get a standard unit and put it in the garage. The kitchen & master bath are on this side of the house. However, the laundry room & other bedrooms are on the other side of the house. Heck, I can buy two regular w/h for the price of one direct vent. Mmm... maybe put one for the laundry room & 3 bedrooms side of the house and put one in the garage for the kitchen & master bath side of the house. That might work.

Also, I did like Bradford White b/c they are made in USA and seem to be a smaller company but yet produce a fine product. A.O. Smith owns everybody now except Lochinvar, BW, and Rheem/Ruud. They own Apollo and also State which owns Reliance which makes Maytag. They also bought GSW wich owns John Wood & American water heaters. It's sorta like the deep freezer market - not many real players, just a commodity I guess. Ah, the world of corporate in-breeding.

 

[KBFXDLI]

Make sure you do the vent calculation BEFORE you buy. And do install a 4" pvc vent line. Some jamoke plumber put a 3" line in my house and I had to tear the whole thing out before I put in the B-W. You also might consider adding a fresh air intake pipe into that room so you don't get negative air pressure when the burner comes on.

 

[Mattchou]

I went 'tankless' and have not been 'thankless' since the covnersion from oilfired to propane.