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New News The regulatory people have discovered that Legionnaire's Disease thrive in 120deg. temperatures.  That is where water heater manufactures want you to set your temperature.  A new code will be coming out in the next couple of years saying we must set our water heaters to 140 deg.  Now we are set up to scald ourselves.  So we're damned if we do and damned if we don't.

Here's the answer to comply to both issues.  There will be a mixing valve installed on the pipe coming out of the water heater.  This valve will mix cold water with the water coming from the water heater, set at 140 deg, to cool it back down to 120 deg. a safe operating temperature.  This mixing valve will be code and must be installed with every water heater.  Get out your wallets... This is going to add another $200.00 to the installation.


Storage (direct fired) is the most common type.  A big steel tank with some sort of heating device inside (electric) or underneath (gas).  For long term use this is the most expensive way for keeping hot water.  Once the water inside the tank cools down, the burners turn on and reheat the water even if your not using it.  They come in several sizes.  Figuring out the size you need is another chore.  A family of four should be able to get by with a 40gl. provided there are no more than two back to back baths/showers.  Families of 5 to 7 should have a 50gl. or two 40gl. hooked together in parallel (as apposed to series, there are arguments on which way is best, of course, my way is right)  Very small homes may have a 30gl tank.  Believe it or not a 30gl. tank cost more than a 40 because they're not as widely made.  I've heard that the national average for these tanks lasting before leaking is 12 years.  I've replaced tanks that have failed in 4 years and I've replaced tanks that have failed in 25 years (in the Rocky mountains, on a well and an electric heater).  Avoid buying a home where the tank is in the crawl space.  These are specially made tanks that cost at least twice as much as the regular 5' tanks.  Plumbers hate replacing  them so much that there'll be an extra labor charge on top of the high tank cost.  Make sure the connectors on top are not leaking.  This will cause the tank to rust, from the outside in, usually causing a leak right when the warranty goes out.  As of July 1st 2003, residential water heaters 30, 40, and 50 gallon are changing their design per national plumbing codes.  The new FVIR Flame Vapor Ignition Resistant style will have an anti-explosion device built in so when people store gas cans in the same room as their water heater the fumes won't ignite.  These water heaters are going to cost more.  Most brands will require a maintenance schedule (cleaning filters on a monthly basis), so far Rheem is the only maintenance free that I've heard of.  If the FVIR device activates, you'll have to replace your water heater.  There is no resetting.  You don't have access to the bottom so you won't be able to light it with a match or log lighter.  There will be an electronic spark igniter similar to the gas BBQ grills. You can still buy the older type until they run out.

Indirect Fired is also a storage water heater but it doesn't have it's own electric or gas source.  These water heaters can only be used in homes that are hot water heated (boilers).  The tank is made of stainless steel which will last about 3 times longer than the conventional water heater mentioned above.  The insulation around the tank is superior and it's so light weight an adult can carry it without a dolly.  Now you only have one pilot burning (the boiler) instead of two (boiler and water heater).  Yes today most boilers are electrically ignited but I've seen too many of these igniters fail at the worst time.  I'm still a standing pilot fan for reliability.  The recovery rate is fantastic.  a 40gl. tank can do the job of a 75gl tank.  Even when the tank has run out of hot water, it only takes about 15 minutes to recover.  I personally have this system in my home.  Two adults and to brats (lovingly said) we've yet to run out of hot water.

Tankless is the most economical way to go and the most space saving.  The initial cost is high but there is no water storage.  The fuel to heat the water is only on while you need the hot water.  Make sure you get the right size for your house.  I installed a system in my neighbors house that he got from Home Depot and it's under sized.  I warned him because it only took 1/2 inch pipes.  He went with it anyway because the next larger size was more expensive.  As thought, the smaller size gives him hot water but he can't run the cold very fast to keep the water hot for showers.  Don't skimp on size.  Also if your upgrading to this system be prepared for a larger flu going out your roof.  The initial cost of labor and parts will scare you.  This system has been used for a long time in Europe.  If I didn't have a boiler, I would have gone with this system. Be sure to have your gas line size recalculated to ensure proper operation.