Erico
Member
As Condo board president (and head maintanance man, I guess), I am stuck with the task of having the new heater installed.
History: it's a 10 year old 75 gallon 135,000 BTU gas water heater servicing 6 - 2 bedroom condominiums. I think it's a Bradford-Whitley (or something like that .... or is that the name of the actor that played Josh on West Wing?). We had some service work done last summer and it was reccommended that we replace it soon. The servicer seemed to think the thing is half filled with sediment (whoda thunk you need to flush these thing once a year? now we know). He was supposed to get us a price but never called me back so here we are 6 months later and she sprung a leak.
The previous servicer seemed to think the unit was TECHNICALLY a little undersized but PROBABLY ok as the building population consists of either single people or couples - no kids or big families (this is near Wrigley Field after all).
Anywhoo........My local hardware man gave me what seems to be a good price on a Rheem 75 gallon 125,000 BTU unit - a little LESS BTUs than the current unit. His logic is, the new unit will be much more efficient and not filled with gunk like the current unit therefore we can get away with a little less BTUs. BTW, the current unit still works, and always has worked, great. Never any supply/recovery problems. It cranks out the water like nobody's business.
Here's the question: Do I take the hardware man's advice and go a little less on the BTUs? His logic regarding the gunk doesn't seem out of whack. Btw, this is a real old fashioned hardware store - they sell to local plumbers etc. The hardware man reccommended an installer who, coincidentally, has done work for us and other people I know (he has a good rep. too).
Then there is ME - who tends to over build and spend "just to be safe." The last thing I need is ticked off neighbors running out of hot water at 6 am. Best I can tell from searching the internets, a size or two up will cost another $500-900 buckaroos. Should I spend it "just to be safe"?
Any thoughts on sizing? Brands?
Thanks,
Eric
Condo Board President
Head grounds keeper
Head maintanace
Head Locksmith
Head Bug Killer
Head mediator
Snow Desk
History: it's a 10 year old 75 gallon 135,000 BTU gas water heater servicing 6 - 2 bedroom condominiums. I think it's a Bradford-Whitley (or something like that .... or is that the name of the actor that played Josh on West Wing?). We had some service work done last summer and it was reccommended that we replace it soon. The servicer seemed to think the thing is half filled with sediment (whoda thunk you need to flush these thing once a year? now we know). He was supposed to get us a price but never called me back so here we are 6 months later and she sprung a leak.
The previous servicer seemed to think the unit was TECHNICALLY a little undersized but PROBABLY ok as the building population consists of either single people or couples - no kids or big families (this is near Wrigley Field after all).
Anywhoo........My local hardware man gave me what seems to be a good price on a Rheem 75 gallon 125,000 BTU unit - a little LESS BTUs than the current unit. His logic is, the new unit will be much more efficient and not filled with gunk like the current unit therefore we can get away with a little less BTUs. BTW, the current unit still works, and always has worked, great. Never any supply/recovery problems. It cranks out the water like nobody's business.
Here's the question: Do I take the hardware man's advice and go a little less on the BTUs? His logic regarding the gunk doesn't seem out of whack. Btw, this is a real old fashioned hardware store - they sell to local plumbers etc. The hardware man reccommended an installer who, coincidentally, has done work for us and other people I know (he has a good rep. too).
Then there is ME - who tends to over build and spend "just to be safe." The last thing I need is ticked off neighbors running out of hot water at 6 am. Best I can tell from searching the internets, a size or two up will cost another $500-900 buckaroos. Should I spend it "just to be safe"?
Any thoughts on sizing? Brands?
Thanks,
Eric
Condo Board President
Head grounds keeper
Head maintanace
Head Locksmith
Head Bug Killer
Head mediator
Snow Desk