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I have a few residential rentals and want to proactively replace the aging 2nd floor electric water heaters before the tanks leak. I'm ready to pay more for quality but I'm having a hard time finding quality lowboys that will fit in a confined space (23w x 27d x 38h).
I've seen that A.O. Smith and Bradford White have lowboys with 10 year warranties. Are these tanks long lived? Are there better choices?
Thanks for helping. Brian Rasche, Orlando, FL
Most are long lived if you service them and upgrade to the biggest anode possible. See these links.
http://fierychill.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=anode
http://www.inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Hot_Water.htm
Buy the longest, fattest rod and drop the off cut into the heater.
I might end up cheaper to just proactively replace the things on a regular basis. Some rated for very long life are quite a bit more expensive than others. A good sacraficial anode definately helps - it's the same technology that prevents a ship, bridge, or bouy from rusting away to nothing in the lakes/oceans. But, it must be maintained. Some condo/apartment houses mandate periodic replacement to preclude group water damages and minimize potential service calls.
Thank you both. Soon I will be replacing the anodes in many of my first floor tanks.
If you have head room and a impact wrench....
And get a DEEP drain pan and a reliable drain on it.