Not sure if Rheems gas vs electric water heaters make much difference but when I was working apartment maintenance a couple of years ago we had alot of Rheem failures within the warranty period. I'd also look at the conditions for the "lifetime warranty" to see if it makes sense.
Lifetime water heater vs standard
- Thread starter philipp10
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Don’t pay extra for lifetime warranty if you are replacing a Hot water unit in a shared space like a condo or high rise. Check the rules first.
We just learned that the condo we manage for my elderly in-law in Florida, now requires that the hot water heater be replaced with a new unit every ten years. It can be perfectly fine and have had the anode rods replaced and be on a water pan and all the safeguards but they make no exceptions, new unit required every ten years.
We just learned that the condo we manage for my elderly in-law in Florida, now requires that the hot water heater be replaced with a new unit every ten years. It can be perfectly fine and have had the anode rods replaced and be on a water pan and all the safeguards but they make no exceptions, new unit required every ten years.
The secret is changing the sacrificial anode every few years.
$100 makes any water heater a life time water heater.
I never knew about the 10 year thing. I'll keep an eye out for old hot water heaters at the scrap yard.
Reem does offer a extended gas water heater warranty... It has 2 anode rods in it...
Kind of funny I’m retired now, but my wife still works from home. We just moved into what we call our retirement home on the coast.
It’s nice because it was a brand new home and chances are it will be the place where I die too. Nice thing is just like the last house that we bought new for 16 years. I needed no repairs hopefully Now the same goes for this house and hopefully I’m still alive at that time ha ha
As far as hot water heaters, we have an instantaneous type, I wish we didn’t, but I had no choice. I much rather have a tank, but that’s just me. Hopefully this unit proves me wrong, but I’m skeptical about having to keep the coils clean. We do have soft water here and it’s been now a year and a half still no loss of hot water.
I just don’t see the purpose of making a simple device overly the complicated and in this case electronics involved when none are really needed
I know this thread is a bit old but I feel I need to respond from a professional view.
As a plumber is usually replaced 2-3 water heaters each month that were under warranty. So in my career that adds up to over 1,200 heaters replaced under warranty. Many of these replacements were 12 year warranted heaters that failed in 7 or 8 years. The Rheem Marathon heater has been out since the 90's. In that time I have replaced exactly 1 under warranty. And that was early on when they first developed them. I think anyone getting a Marathon would never have to worry about replacement. Also pretty maintenance free as they do not require an anode rod.
I have had many customers that after their second or third heater replacement were eager to install a Marathon.
Whether to pay the extra for one or not would depend on your individual circumstances. If you are there for the long haul I recommend getting one. I have an 85 gallon one in my house adjacent to a finished area and I am not worried about it.
As a plumber is usually replaced 2-3 water heaters each month that were under warranty. So in my career that adds up to over 1,200 heaters replaced under warranty. Many of these replacements were 12 year warranted heaters that failed in 7 or 8 years. The Rheem Marathon heater has been out since the 90's. In that time I have replaced exactly 1 under warranty. And that was early on when they first developed them. I think anyone getting a Marathon would never have to worry about replacement. Also pretty maintenance free as they do not require an anode rod.
I have had many customers that after their second or third heater replacement were eager to install a Marathon.
Whether to pay the extra for one or not would depend on your individual circumstances. If you are there for the long haul I recommend getting one. I have an 85 gallon one in my house adjacent to a finished area and I am not worried about it.
We went with a hybrid electric water heater. 80 gallons. The goal was to have more water for a Jacuzzi jetted tub. Replaced a 50 gas water heater.
It was expensive but there are tax energy tax credits. I would have done the install myself but it was 300 lbs. Too heavy for 71 year old guy
It was expensive but there are tax energy tax credits. I would have done the install myself but it was 300 lbs. Too heavy for 71 year old guy
Local water chemistry makes a huge difference. Some water eats water heaters alive while others last way longer then expected.
It does . Reem extends the tank warranty by 7 more years...
What are your thoughts on gas vs electric? It seems major benefit of a gas heater is faster recovery.
We have a small electric water in a summer cottage. The water heater gets drained in the fall and stays empty until spring. I am thinking it's 25 years old. Never changed the anode. It's a cottage with no washer or dryer or dishwasher. Minimal water use.
So I might conclude draining yearly is key.
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This is true in a way. Without contact with the electrolyte, water in this situation, the anode will last forever. Think zincs on a boat - only sacrificially corrode when the the boat is in the water.
So if the anode is only submerged for a few of months a year, and if your water chemistry is conducive to long life, then 25 years or say 75 “wetted” months is far below the 10 years or 120 “wetted” months that many water heater anodes last.
4WD
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You can therefore run a size smaller with gas …
That certainly could be it. I probably should pull the anode rod and have a look. But I am sure the threaded connector is corroded stuck.
If you go for the life time tank, make sure you register it at the time of purchase. Most plumbers will not do that.
4WD
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Yeah - 6 in the house and a 40 gallon gas WH kept up … on “M”
Propflux01
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This ^^^^
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