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What I need to know about new water heater installation ?
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| konstantinknight9 | Date: Fr, 08/02/2024, 10:56 AM | Message # 1 |
 Plumber
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| What I need to know about new water heater installation ?
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| Michal K. | Date: Sa, 08/03/2024, 10:02 PM | Message # 2 |
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Group: Guests
| Do you recommend to switch from a traditional tank storage water heater to a "on demand" ?
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| konstantinknight9 | Date: Sa, 08/03/2024, 10:15 PM | Message # 3 |
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Plumber
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| Switching from a traditional tank water heater to a tankless on-demand model can offer significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency and water availability. However, there are several factors to consider before making the switch:
- May require modifications or upgrades to accommodate the new unit.
- Gas-powered tankless units require proper ventilation.
- Electric models have specific electrical needs
- Tankless units are generally more expensive upfront.
- Factor in the cost of labor and potential plumbing upgrades.
- While tankless units are often more energy-efficient, the payback period can vary.
- Depending on water quality, regular descaling might be necessary.
- Some units require filters for sediment removal.
- Hard water can reduce the efficiency of tankless units and require more frequent maintenance.
- Sediment can clog the unit, affecting performance.
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| Ramona G. | Date: We, 08/07/2024, 10:53 PM | Message # 4 |
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Group: Guests
| How long does it take to replace a water heater ?
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| konstantinknight9 | Date: We, 08/07/2024, 11:02 PM | Message # 5 |
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Plumber
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| For tank to tank installation it takes between 2 to 3 hours for our professional plumber.
That includes 45-60 minutes to drain the unit . Disconnect and remove your old water heater.
To position a new unit , gas line and water line modifications to fit the new water heater will be another 1.5-2 hours.
If you switching from tank to tankless additional time is required .
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| Emily V. | Date: We, 08/07/2024, 11:06 PM | Message # 6 |
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Group: Guests
| How long will it take to have hot water , when the new water heater installed ?
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| konstantinknight9 | Date: We, 08/07/2024, 11:17 PM | Message # 7 |
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Plumber
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| Emily,
It typically takes about an hour for a new heater to heat. But it also depends on the size of a new water heater.
If id is 40 gallons heater or 75 gallons , the time will very.
Gas tanks heat faster than electrical models and with tankless you will get hot water immediately.
We also recommend to turn your hot water tap and let it run for 10 minutes.
It will allow sediment, dust and air pockets flush through until the water flows clear without any bubbles.
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| Brian Y. | Date: We, 08/07/2024, 11:19 PM | Message # 8 |
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Group: Guests
| I heard something about hot water recirculating pump .
what is it and how it works?
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| konstantinknight9 | Date: We, 08/07/2024, 11:28 PM | Message # 9 |
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Plumber
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| Sometimes in the morning you have to wait for couple of minutes for a hot water from your faucet.
Not with hot water recirculating pump.
this is a device that instantly delivers heated water to your faucet.
it is not only saves your time, but a water usage.
Do you know that an average four-person family can waste up to 180 gallons of water per week while waiting for hot water.
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| John A. | Date: Tu, 08/13/2024, 11:56 PM | Message # 10 |
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Group: Guests
| We do not have enough hot water .
What can it be ?
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| konstantinknight9 | Date: Tu, 08/13/2024, 11:59 PM | Message # 11 |
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Plumber
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| If you're not getting enough hot water, several issues could be causing the problem.
Some common reasons are:
1. Water Heater Size: If your water heater is too small for your household’s needs, it may not provide enough hot water. Upgrading to a larger tank or a tankless system could help.
2. Temperature Setting: Check the thermostat on your water heater. It may be set too low. Most settings should be around 120°F (49°C) for optimal performance.
3. Sediment Build-Up: Over time, sediment can accumulate at the bottom of the tank, reducing the efficiency of your water heater. Flushing the tank can help.
4. Faulty Heating Elements: For electric water heaters, one or both heating elements might be malfunctioning. This could reduce the amount of hot water available.
5. Thermostat Issues: If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it might not be regulating the water temperature properly.
6. Broken Dip Tube: The dip tube directs cold water to the bottom of the tank where it’s heated. If it's broken, cold water might mix with the hot water at the top of the tank.
7. Plumbing Issues: Leaks or other plumbing problems could be causing a loss of hot water. Inspect for any visible leaks or call a plumber to check your system.
8. High Demand: If multiple fixtures are using hot water simultaneously, you may be exceeding your system’s capacity.
Diagnosing the exact cause can involve some troubleshooting. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it might be best to consult a professional plumber .
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| John A. | Date: Tu, 07/28/2026, 5:45 AM | Message # 12 |
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Group: Guests
| Thanks for the list. We just moved into this house so we don't know the water heater's age or history. Is there a way to check the age of the unit itself, and roughly how long we should expect it to keep working before it needs replacing?
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| plumber | Date: Tu, 07/28/2026, 5:46 AM | Message # 13 |
 Soldier
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| Good move checking this before you have an emergency on your hands — a lot of people only find out their water heater's age when it fails.
How to find the age:
Check the serial number on the manufacturer's label — this is the most reliable method. Most manufacturers encode the manufacture date into the serial number, though the format varies by brand. Common patterns:- Rheem/Ruud: First letter = month (A=Jan, B=Feb...), followed by 2 digits for the year (e.g., "F0421XXX" = June 2021)
- A.O. Smith/State/American: First letter = month, next 2 digits = year (similar pattern, but check their specific chart since it's changed over the decades)
- Bradford White: Usually a letter-number combo near the start of the serial that decodes to month/year
Search the brand + "serial number age decoder" — most manufacturers or plumbing sites have a lookup chart, since the encoding differs by brand and sometimes by decade for the same brand.
Look at the installation/warranty sticker — sometimes the installing plumber or previous owner wrote the install date directly on the tank.
Expected lifespan once you know the age:
- Standard tank water heaters: typically 8-12 years
- Tankless units: typically 15-20 years, since there's no tank to corrode
- Heat pump water heaters: typically 10-15 years
A few signs it may be nearing end of life regardless of exact age:
- Rusty or discolored water (especially from the hot tap only)
- Rumbling or banging noises (sediment buildup, mentioned above)
- Any moisture or rust around the base of the tank
- Inconsistent water temperature
Since you're new to the house, I'd suggest snapping a photo of the serial number label and decoding the age this week — it's a quick way to know whether you're looking at a unit with years of life left or one you should start budgeting to replace. If it's already past 10 years and shows any of those warning signs, that's worth prioritizing before it fails unexpectedly.
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| Guest | Date: Mo, 08/10/2026, 3:55 AM | Message # 14 |
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Group: Guests
| Found the serial number and figured out from the letter code that it's actually 11 years old already. No rust or noises yet that we've noticed, but given it's already past that 8-12 year window, should we go ahead and replace it proactively, or wait until we actually see warning signs? Also curious if it's worth upgrading to tankless while we're at it since we're already thinking about it.
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| plumber | Date: Mo, 08/10/2026, 3:56 AM | Message # 15 |
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Soldier
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| Good detective work on the serial number, John — that's genuinely useful info to have.
On proactive replacement:
At 11 years with no visible warning signs, you're in a bit of a gray zone, but I'd lean toward planning a replacement in the near term rather than waiting for failure, for a few reasons:
- You're past the typical lifespan window, so the risk of sudden failure climbs from here, not just gradually — tanks tend to fail without much warning once they're past year 10-12.
- A planned replacement lets you shop around, compare units, and schedule installation on your timeline. An emergency replacement (tank actually bursts or starts leaking) means you're paying rush pricing and possibly dealing with water damage cleanup on top of it.
- Since you just moved in and don't know its full history (how it was maintained, water quality it's dealt with, etc.), that unknown adds a bit more risk on top of the age itself.
I wouldn't call it a true emergency today, but I'd budget for it within the next several months rather than treating it as a "wait and see" situation.
On switching to tankless while you're at it:
Since you're already facing a full replacement rather than a repair, this is actually the ideal time to consider it — you avoid paying twice (once now for a tank replacement, then again later if you decide to switch). A few things worth weighing:
- Upfront cost is higher, and if your home isn't already set up for it, you may need gas line upsizing or venting modifications (as mentioned earlier in this thread).
- Long-term, tankless units last significantly longer (15-20 years vs. 8-12) and only heat water on demand, which usually reduces energy costs — especially valuable if this is a long-term home for you.
- Given you're new to the house, it's worth having a plumber assess your existing gas line and venting during the estimate, since that will tell you the real installation cost difference between sticking with tank vs. going tankless.
Given you're already planning ahead rather than reacting to a failure, I'd get a plumber out for an in-person assessment and quote comparing both options — that'll give you real numbers specific to your home rather than general estimates.
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| Guest | Date: Th, 08/13/2026, 3:17 AM | Message # 16 |
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Group: Guests
| Should I replace my water heater before it starts leaking?
My water heater is getting older, but it is still working and there are no obvious leaks. I'm wondering whether it is better to replace it proactively or simply keep using it until it fails.
Are there warning signs that indicate a water heater is approaching the end of its service life? Does rust around the tank, unusual noise, or rusty-colored hot water mean replacement is necessary?
Is there any advantage to replacing an older water heater before it develops a major leak?
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| plumber | Date: Th, 08/13/2026, 3:17 AM | Message # 17 |
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Soldier
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| Should I replace my water heater before it starts leaking?
You don't necessarily need to replace a water heater simply because it is getting older, but an older unit should be monitored more closely.
Common warning signs include water around the base of the tank, corrosion, rusty-colored hot water, unusual popping or rumbling noises, and noticeably longer heating times. These can indicate corrosion, sediment buildup, or failing components.
If the tank itself has started leaking, replacement is usually the appropriate solution. A leaking storage tank generally cannot be reliably repaired from the outside.
There can be a practical advantage to replacing an aging heater before it fails completely. A planned replacement gives you time to compare tank and tankless options, choose the correct capacity, and schedule installation rather than dealing with an emergency and possible water damage.
However, if an older water heater is still operating reliably and inspection shows no significant corrosion or other problems, continuing to use it may be reasonable.
During an inspection, it's worth checking the tank, connections, temperature and pressure relief valve, shutoff valve, anode rod, and signs of sediment buildup.
The best time to replace a water heater is usually before a predictable failure becomes an emergency, but there is no need to replace a properly functioning unit solely because it has reached a certain age.
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| Guest | Date: Fr, 08/14/2026, 8:42 AM | Message # 18 |
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Group: Guests
| How do I choose the right size water heater for my family?
I'm planning to replace my old water heater, but I'm not sure what size I should choose.
There are several people in my household, and we often use the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine around the same time. I don't want to install a water heater that's too small, but I also don't want to pay for a much larger tank than we actually need.
How do I determine whether a 40-, 50-, 65-, or 75-gallon water heater is the right size?
Does the number of people in the house matter more than the number of bathrooms and appliances?
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| plumber | Date: Fr, 08/14/2026, 8:42 AM | Message # 19 |
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Soldier
Group: Administrators
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| How do I choose the right size water heater for my family?
Choosing the right water heater size depends on more than simply counting the number of people in the household. You should consider the family's peak hot-water demand, including showers, baths, laundry, dishwasher use and other appliances.
A tank that is too small may run out of hot water during periods of heavy use. A much larger tank can provide more reserve capacity, but it also costs more to purchase, heat and maintain.
For a typical storage water heater, a household with fewer occupants may be comfortable with a smaller tank, while a larger family or a home with several bathrooms may benefit from a larger capacity. The actual recommendation should be based on the expected first-hour hot-water demand rather than a simple gallon-per-person rule.
If you are considering a tankless water heater, the calculation is different. Instead of tank capacity, you need to consider the maximum simultaneous flow rate and the temperature rise required. The unit must be large enough to supply multiple fixtures operating at the same time.
When replacing an existing heater, don't automatically choose the same size as the old one. Your household's water usage may have changed, and newer equipment may have different performance characteristics.
A plumber can calculate the home's peak demand and recommend an appropriate size. Correct sizing is important because an undersized heater can cause frequent hot-water shortages, while an oversized system may add unnecessary installation and operating costs.
The goal is to choose a water heater that can comfortably handle your realistic peak demand, rather than simply selecting the largest tank available.
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| Guest | Date: Su, 08/16/2026, 3:07 AM | Message # 20 |
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Group: Guests
| Is a heat pump water heater a good alternative to a traditional gas water heater?
I'm replacing an older storage water heater and I'm considering three options: a conventional gas tank, a heat pump water heater, or a tankless gas model.
I understand that heat pump water heaters can use less energy, but I'm not sure how well they handle periods of high hot-water demand.
For a family that uses several showers, a dishwasher and a washing machine, would a heat pump water heater provide enough hot water? What are the main advantages and disadvantages compared with gas?
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| plumber | Date: Su, 08/16/2026, 3:08 AM | Message # 21 |
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Soldier
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| Is a heat pump water heater a good alternative to a traditional gas water heater?
A heat pump water heater can be an excellent alternative to a conventional gas tank, but it should be selected based on the home's actual hot-water demand.
Unlike a conventional gas heater, a heat pump water heater uses electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the water. This can make it considerably more energy-efficient, although recovery can be slower than with a high-input gas heater.
For a family with several showers and simultaneous appliance use, the important specifications are the tank capacity, first-hour rating and recovery performance. A larger tank can provide the reserve needed during periods of heavy demand.
There are also installation considerations. A heat pump water heater needs an appropriate electrical circuit, sufficient surrounding air volume and a way to handle condensate. The room will also receive cooler, dehumidified air while the unit operates.
Compared with tankless gas, a heat pump water heater generally has a different operating profile: tankless provides continuous heating as long as the required flow and gas capacity are available, while the heat pump stores heated water and gradually recovers after heavy use.
For someone replacing an old heater, I'd compare the total installed cost, available electrical service, first-hour rating, operating cost and expected household demand rather than choosing solely by efficiency rating.
If your home already has suitable electrical capacity and enough space around the heater, a heat pump model can be particularly attractive for long-term energy savings. If extremely high simultaneous hot-water demand is the priority, a properly sized gas tank or tankless system may be more appropriate.
The key point from the previous discussion still applies: size the system for realistic peak demand first, then compare the different technologies.
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| Guest | Date: Sa, 08/22/2026, 2:44 AM | Message # 22 |
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Group: Guests
| How can I tell if my water heater is suffering from sediment buildup?
My water heater is about 10 years old and still provides enough hot water, but recently I've noticed a popping or rumbling sound when it heats.
There are no visible leaks, but I'm wondering if sediment has accumulated at the bottom of the tank.
Can sediment reduce the amount of hot water available or increase energy consumption? Should I flush the tank, and is flushing safe on an older water heater?
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| plumber | Date: Sa, 08/22/2026, 2:45 AM | Message # 23 |
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Soldier
Group: Administrators
Status: Online
| How can I tell if my water heater is suffering from sediment buildup?
Popping, rumbling, or crackling noises from a storage water heater can be a sign of sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. The existing discussion also identifies sediment as a common cause of unusual water-heater noises and reduced heating performance. As sediment accumulates, it can form a layer between the burner or heating element and the water. This can reduce heat-transfer efficiency and increase heating time and energy consumption. In some cases, it can also reduce the effective hot-water capacity of the tank.Before flushing an older water heater, however, it's important to consider its overall condition. If the tank has significant corrosion or is already showing signs of leakage, flushing may expose an existing weakness and should be evaluated by a professional first.If the unit is in reasonable condition, a professional can inspect and, when appropriate, flush the tank to remove accumulated sediment.Other components worth checking at the same time include:- the temperature and pressure relief valve;
- the anode rod;
- water connections;
- the tank base for corrosion;
- the burner or heating elements;
- the thermostat.
If the heater is already around 10–12 years old, sediment isn't necessarily the only issue. The forum's current discussion notes that typical tank water heaters often have an expected service life in roughly the 8–12 year range, although actual lifespan varies considerably with water quality, maintenance and installation conditions. The important point: don't flush an older heater automatically just because it makes noise. First assess the condition of the tank. If it is structurally sound, removing sediment may improve performance; if the tank is heavily corroded or already leaking, replacement may be the safer long-term option.
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