Water heater big bang

[Rmk9785e]

Our AO Smith 50 gallon natural gas water heater model GNR 50 200 wasn’t delivering hot water so I checked and the pilot was off. I followed the procedure and turned it back on. Was momentarily happy that it was back in operation but a few minutes later I heard a big bang, which though not as big as the one at the beginning of time was nonetheless frightening. It was followed by a big roar as if a small rocket was about to take off.
I quickly turned off the gas supply.
This is a 12 year old water heater that came with a 6 year warranty so probably it’s about time to replace it.
A couple of questions for the experts here:
1- What could be the cause of the bang and roar? Just curious.
2- Which brand and models would you recommend to replace it?
3- We’re going to be selling this house soon. Is it worthwhile to consider going with a heat pump water heater?
Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
EDIT: Thank you for the advice. I had it replaced with a Rheem water heater.

 

[faucetfreak]

Our AO Smith 50 gallon natural gas water heater model GNR 50 200 wasn’t delivering hot water so I checked and the pilot was off. I followed the procedure and turned it back on. Was momentarily happy that it was back in operation but a few minutes later I heard a big bang, which though not as big as the one at the beginning of time was nonetheless frightening. It was followed by a big roar as if a small rocket was about to take off.
I quickly turned off the gas supply.
This is a 12 year old water heater that came with a 6 year warranty so probably it’s about time to replace it.
A couple of questions for the experts here:
1- What could be the cause of the bang and roar? Just curious.
2- Which brand and models would you recommend to replace it?
3- We’re going to be selling this house soon. Is it worthwhile to consider going with a heat pump water heater?
Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

1. Gas leak or pressure relief valve not working.
2. AO Smith also offers heat pump based water heaters.
3. Yes. Heat pump water heaters are far more efficient than gas-fired water heaters. Moreover, gas is not equal to electricity. 3.6MJ of gas is equal to 1 kWh of electricity.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Fitter30]

Burner is dirty. The roar is the flame burning back at the orfice instead of the air gas mixture lighting right at the burner head. The boom - pilot is lit, gas valve opens gas air mixture is not lighting at the pilot till enough gas builds up inside the heater till the pilot lights it. Burners are pain to pull and to reinstall. Tight spot and laying on your side. Replace the thermocouple pull the pilot it has a orfice. Lp is more sensitive than natural to set up. More sensitive to air and gas pressure.

 

[DX]

1. Gas leak or pressure relief valve not working.

LOL. if he had a gas leak and then heard a big bang, I think he might be looking for a new house...

3. Yes. Heat pump water heaters are far more efficient than gas-fired water heaters.

That is partially true but misleading. A heat pump water heater pumps heat from the room air to the water in the tank. This is great if you are in a hot climate and you need to cool the inside of your home.
But in a cold climate (winter) it is counter-productive, as you need to heat the house by that additional amount.

Moreover, gas is not equal to electricity. 3.6MJ of gas is equal to 1 kWh of electricity.

The cost of natural gas and electricity varies with location, but in many parts of the US it is considerably cheaper to produce one BTU of heat with gas than electricity.

3.6MJ of gas is equal to 1 kWh of electricity.

1 kwh = 3.6MJ period. Has nothing to do with gas or electricity. Joules and watt-hours are both units of energy. Any kind of energy.

Joules to kWh conversion calculator

Joules to kilowatt-hours (kWh), energy conversion calculator and how to convert.

www.rapidtables.com

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

If you are selling the home just go buy a common water heater of any brand and do it as
cheaply as possible---- the new owner is not gonna care about some kind of expensive heater
in the home..... keep it simple

 

[Jeff H Young]

I know of 2 guys that repair water heaters one uses all used parts and rebuilds old water heaters if tanks are bad he strips the parts. Id take a chance if I was moving rather than pay close to 2 grand to have one installed . but otherwise Id go with Master Marks Idea

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

I know of 2 guys that repair water heaters one uses all used parts and rebuilds old water heaters if tanks are bad he strips the parts. Id take a chance if I was moving rather than pay close to 2 grand to have one installed . but otherwise Id go with Master Marks Idea

We got some mexicans in our town that sell used water heaters that they rebuild with used parts...
as long as the tank does not leak they re-furbrish the units and sell them to slum-lords and house flippers

You get what you pay for and these mexicans only give them a 60 day warranty.... lol

 

[Jeff H Young]

guy is unloading the house so i could see a repair or a cheap new heater by a qualified contractor. thats the 2 options .
We have white plumbers charging over 3000 dollars to install a 50 gallon gas water heater of cource those white plumbers sell bradford and WHITE water heaters that cost nearly 800 dollars and it takes nearly 2 hours to install, you get much more value when a white man installs your water heater i forgot to mention these white plumbers are throwing in a sediment trap at no cost well I gotta say when you hire white its done right, and you allways get what you pay for the more they charge the better the work so go with high bidder every time as long as he is white!

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

guy is unloading the house so i could see a repair or a cheap new heater by a qualified contractor. thats the 2 options .
We have white plumbers charging over 3000 dollars to install a 50 gallon gas water heater of cource those white plumbers sell bradford and WHITE water heaters that cost nearly 800 dollars and it takes nearly 2 hours to install, you get much more value when a white man installs your water heater i forgot to mention these white plumbers are throwing in a sediment trap at no cost well I gotta say when you hire white its done right, and you allways get what you pay for the more they charge the better the work so go with high bidder every time as long as he is white!

WOW..... that comment could get you in deep trouble on some forums.......
and it still might get cancelled once a moderator sees this...

We have all races of folks in our town doing plumbing work... and their seems to be
different levels of quality . Of course a whole lot of people cannot hire the BEN FRANKLLIN
guys to come to their humble homes (and get screwed real good)
so they have to go with the bottom feeders that advertise on Craigs List and Thrifty Nickle......

Their are a lot of social economic factors involved here and I personally dont care whom I work
for as long as the money is green and I dont have to arrive at the home in a Bradley Fighting vehicle
packing a 9mm and with a back up helper to guard me while I do the job.....

I dont advertise on Craigs list or the Thrifty Nickle because you are gonna be dealing with
mostly poor dumbasses or cheap asses of every color and creed... and its no fun at all
.. I have found this out from personal experience....




Of course you are entitled to your opinion...
and I am pretty sure that you are far from woke.....

 

[Jeff H Young]

WOW..... that comment could get you in deep trouble on some forums.......
and it still might get cancelled once a moderator sees this...

We have all races of folks in our town doing plumbing work... and their seems to be
different levels of quality . Of course a whole lot of people cannot hire the BEN FRANKLLIN
guys to come to their humble homes (and get screwed real good)
so they have to go with the bottom feeders that advertise on Craigs List and Thrifty Nickle......

Their are a lot of social economic factors involved here and I personally dont care whom I work
for as long as the money is green and I dont have to arrive at the home in a Bradley Fighting vehicle
packing a 9mm and with a back up helper to guard me while I do the job.....

I dont advertise on Craigs list or the Thrifty Nickle because you are gonna be dealing with
mostly poor dumbasses or cheap asses of every color and creed... and its no fun at all
.. I have found this out from personal experience....




Of course you are entitled to your opinion...
and I am pretty sure that you are far from woke.....

I think your comment was the offensive one mine was sarcastic I dont mean to insult white people or any just convey that I thought your comments were un called for . No biggie I am white and not woke and have family of other nationalities lived and worked where Ive been a minority most my life without issue. But I didnt see the point in you telling us twice about a mexican water heater repairman what the hell does that got to do with it ?