Mattb1234
New Member
Hello,
I've read many of the threads here related to the specifics of replacing WH's and they've been really helpful, thanks.
I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction for my situation.
I am looking for advice on the best strategy to take for replacing the water heaters in my duplex.
Here are some basic facts about my situation:
So I think I've had a good run with these water heaters, and I'd like to replace them before I find out what failure mode comes up first!
I'm curious on any options out there as to what route to go, especially related to venting methods.
here's what options I'm contemplating.
thanks for taking the time to read all this! thanks for the help!
Matt
I've read many of the threads here related to the specifics of replacing WH's and they've been really helpful, thanks.
I'm hoping someone can help point me in the right direction for my situation.
I am looking for advice on the best strategy to take for replacing the water heaters in my duplex.
Here are some basic facts about my situation:
- 2 br upper/ 2 br lower duplex in Milwaukee,WI. Water heaters for both units located in basement. (each unit has: the following HW demand: 1 bath room sink/shower, 1 dishwasher, 1 kitchen sink)
- both water heaters are gas, 40gal and are nearing 20 years old
- both water heaters vent to chimney located in center of basement (however, there appear to be 2 separate channels in the chimney -> I'll call these chute 1 and chute 2 for lack of knowledge of what they would actually be called)
- basement is unfinished, and there's a good amount of clearance around existing WH's for flexibility on what replaces them.
- Upper unit - chimney chute 2 is used to vent upper unit WH and upper unit furnace
- Lower unit - chimney chute 1 is used to vent lower unit WH ONLY -> lower furnace was replaced to H.E. unit that vents to side of house.
- ***I believe this is a potential problem, and that a 'sleeve' was supposed to be installed in the chute to ensure the WH venting air stays hot enough to properly escape the house. It's been like this for ~3 years, no observed problems yet. although I'm not clear on what I'd observe.
- Upper unit furnace will likely be replaced within the next 5 years, which will likely be replaced with a H.E. furnace that vents to the side of the house.
So I think I've had a good run with these water heaters, and I'd like to replace them before I find out what failure mode comes up first!
I'm curious on any options out there as to what route to go, especially related to venting methods.
here's what options I'm contemplating.
- just replace with the same technology -> chimney vented, and install sleeve/liners if necessary
- probably the most straight-forward, minimal thought approach.
- 'upgrade' both to power-vented,.
- allows chimney chute 1 to be sealed/insulated. Only remaining item venting to chimney would be the upper furnace.
- What about noise of the vent fan? anyone have experience of how loud these things are? I've read they can be really noisy, and the WH would be right under a bedroom.
- would need to run electrical (not a big deal in the basement)
- overall cost considerations
- convert to electric models
- allows chimney chute 1 to be sealed/insulated. Only remaining item venting to chimney would be the upper furnace.
- no additional venting needed.
- unit costs appear similar to gas units, but running costs seem much higher. However, Does anyone know if the gas efficiency ratings take into account the amount of heat constantly venting out of the chimney(seems like this is a loophole in their calculations)?
- house may eventually have solar panels....so there may be a benefit/cost savings offset there.
- on-demand /tankless systems
- allows chimney chute 1 to be sealed/insulated. Only remaining item venting to chimney would be the upper furnace.
- more efficient, but higher cost upfront,
thanks for taking the time to read all this! thanks for the help!
Matt