Having a problem with you current Oil Fired Water Heater?

Dying Bock oil fired

Would you like an estimate right over the phone for a new oil fired water heater?
Do you need to have your oil fired water heater replaced?  Would you like some great  ideas for  replacing the oil fired heater with something more efficient?  If it has to do with an oil fired water heater, we can help.
If you’re in Connecticut or the Greater NYC area we can not only give you valuable advice, we can also install the new water heater for you for an affordable price.

Who do I call when I need a new oil fired water heater?  That answer is a plumber, but more specifically a plumber that has experience with plumbing, heating and oil.  Plumbers like us.
Just give us a call.

Main number. 800-524-4280
Cell & Text. 203-376-5208
Email us. mr.waterheaters@yahoo.com

We are true water heating experts.   22 years experience,  with hundreds of past oil fired water heater installations under our belts.

How’s our prices? Exceptional.  Give us a try, we can give you a very good idea right over the phone what the installation will cost.
With a few pictures of your current water heater sent to either 203-376-5208  or mr.waterheaters@yahoo.com we can give you an exact price for the replacement.

A Nice looking installation, and they all look like this.

When Residential or Businesses need a oil fired water heater replacement is a good idea to give us a call because we provide extremely fast service, and have the most affordable replacement rates in the state.  We will match ANY written price on the same tank, burner, (that we carry) and installation.  We will install your oil fired water heater in the Same Day, and recycle your old tank in an environmentally friendly way.  We specialize in the repair and installations of all residential and commercial oil fired water heaters for New Haven, Fairfield & Hartford Connecticut.  Our partners in NYC (Sure combustion heating llc) have all of the city, White Plains & Queens county covered.

We even install oil fired water heaters located in crawl spaces & other “hard to get to” locations.

A Plus Plumber llc.
Orange, CT

If you need a great plumber in Connecticut, or a free estimate to fix or replace your current Oil Fired water heater.
Give us a call today.   We offer some of the lowest prices on oil fired water heater installations in CT.

Main office  – 24 hour emergency Oil Fired water heater repair & replacement services.

(800) 524-4280

(Some more past installation pictures)

We Carry Bock, Thermaflow-Everhot, and John Wood.
We also have access to other oil fired water heater manufactures.
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More info about oil fired water heaters.

New Thermaflow Oil Fired

Oil fired water heaters heat water exactly the same way as traditional natural gas, and propane water heaters by a law of physics called convection. The most important difference is that oil fired water heaters use oil as their fuel source.

Oil fired water heater tanks are MUCH more expensive that natural gas water heaters.
Why is my oil fired water heater quote so expensive?
Depending on the brand, where it’s bought, and how it’s vented the 30 gallon tank alone is $700-$1,300.  The 50 gallon tank regular/center-top vented, rear vented (more expensive), and short models (most expensive) are from $1,300- $1,950 at our cost, (10-15% lower than homeowner prices) you will also need a new oil burner & thermostat which goes for $380- $450, and a new  T&P valve, copper piping, couplings, adapters.  Also If the current exhaust piping is bad and needs to be replaced as it is needed in most cases you are looking at another $50 bucks for piping. Oil filters at the main oil tank it’s self can be replace at this time also to better protect your new investment.  Don’t forget about the tax, or marking up the parts, business expenses, phones, insurance (auto, business, workers comp), gas, etc.  Then how about we charge some labor to pay our guys and to put something back into the business to pay for the servers that host this website.

1 of many Bocks we have installed.

What size oil fired water heater do I need? – Oil fired water heaters heats water extremely fast. (2-3+ times as fast than natural gas heaters & electric water heaters) The speed of which water is heated is called “recovery rating”.  30 gallon oil fired water heaters can produce roughly 110 gallons of hot water in the “first hour”.  (The water heating industry goes by the measurement “1st hour rating” to measure this speed for all kinds of water heaters.)   If you have a family of 4 people or less most likely a 30 gallon oil fried water heater will meet, and exceed your demands.  If you have a family of 5 or larger, or a home with a whirl pool tub used regularly you may want to go with a 50 gallon oil fired water heater.  50 gallon oil fired water heaters create large amounts of hot water, right around 150 gallons an hour, so you will basically never run out of hot water.  A 50 gallon oil fired water heater takes up a lot of space, uses a considerable amount of oil.   With yearly maintenance they are some what expensive to run but very expensive to replace.  If you have a very large family, or run a business out of your home which uses hot water, you could need a 50 or even a 70 or 100 gallon model, however most homes will be fine with 30 gallon oil fired water heaters.  Most oil fired water heating companies mainly sell 30 & 50 gallon tank sizes, although other sizes like a 20 gallon, 40 gallon and 70 gallon models are available from the water heater manufacturer Bock.  (Note:  The 20, 40 & 70 gallon sizes are most likely special orders and even more expensive than the “normally” stocked 30 & 50 gallon models.)  Do not get your hopes up thinking a 40 gallon oil fired water heater will cost you less than a 50 gallon.  40’s aren’t stocked by most plumbing supply companies, and the extra shipping fee charged by all suppliers for “non stocked water heaters” will push the cost to the price of a normally stocked 50 gallon model.

Oil fired water heater companies. I can not speak for the entire world but for us in the North East we have a few main choices.  Bock, Thermaflow, and John Wood.  (Click the links to learn more about them)  Other oil fired water companies that have gone out of business are Aero, & Ford.   Ford water heaters were built very well and many of them are still in operation.  Note if you have a Ford or Arrow water heater leaking, its very old so don’t waste your time doing anything other than getting it replaced, or researching a high effeminacy water heater products for it’s replacement.

Jay S

The cost of labor is hard to determine without seeing the old oil fired water heater.  First the tank itself is very heavy and at least 2  men are needed to handle the new tank properly without damaging it.  We need to remove the old tank, and old 50 gallon tanks are extremely hard to remove and typically 3 men are needed if the tank is located in a basement and must be pulled up stairs as the old tank can easily be 400+ pounds.  Installing a new oil fired water heater is nothing like installing a traditional water heater.  Other than the water lines everything is different. Installing the new oil burner can be a pain, and also needs some fine tuning to get it operating at it’s most efficient level.   There is an emergency cut off switch & other electrical connections that need to made.  The exhaust pipe almost always needs to be replaced, then the air needs to be bled out of the oil line, (without making a huge mess),  not to mention the old tank and burners needs to be disposed of properly at a recycling center that will take these environmental nightmares.  Installing new oil fried water heaters should be left to expert plumbers only.

How long does a oil fired water heater installation take? The job it’s self takes 2 plumbers about 2-3 hours, but in reality it takes half a day or longer.  First you have the time meeting the client & looking at the oil water heater, send out quotes, email back and forth a bunch times answering questions, then we agree on the price.  Then we write up the paper work,  drive to the supply store, pick up the heater, drive it to your home.  (we don’t get paid for any of that)  Then the real work of removing the old tank, installing the new one, and settling up on the bill.  Lastly the drive to New Haven to properly recycle the old tank and burner.  That’s about 2-3 hours of driving, another 1 hour in emails, plus the 3 guys spending 2 hours actually doing the job.   Not to mention the paperwork at the end of the day.  We get a lunch break in there some where if we’re lucky.

How much does a new oil fired water heater cost to have installed? All together installing a new oil fired water heater could take 2 guys half a day with driving time, so labor for installing a new oil fired water heater goes from $500 to $1,000  (The price increases with tank size & difficulty of job)  Where as installing a new gas or electric water heaters is done with only 1, maybe 2 plumbers and take 1 hour, which is why regular water heaters cost much less. (as little as $350 dollars for installation)

How to save money on oil fired water heaters: Illegal unlicensed un-insured fellas that call themselves plumbers, (but in reality are painters and what not) obviously will charge less to put these water heaters in if you let them, and may do a good job.  But if there’s a problem in the future will they come back?  If the tank is in some way defective will they install the next one for free?  Will you lose sleep at night knowing  “the friend of a friend/ or nephew” could have mistaking installed a bomb in your basement?  How would you feel if something terrible happens and there is a flood, fire, or someone dies from carbon dioxide poisoning?   You will be completely on your own, because your insurance company will drop you like a bad habit because you don’t have any paperwork proving a licensed plumber installed the water heater which failed, and the fire department determined was installed incorrectly.  Even if the unit is installed 100% correctly and the tank fails from a factory defect you are SCREWED because your insurance company will blame the installer, which is covered with our minumim 1 million dollar insurance policy.  (We have a 2 million dollar policy)  Now after some horrible happens, without a receipt from a leigitment plumbing company you have no legs to stand on when it’s time to talk to the insurance claim agent, or worse the police.   Hector the gardener forgot about an important step, and it’s your fault not his.  You’re the homeowner.  You are responsible, so make a wise choice for your installer.  It’s not like painting a wall, or installing a counter top.  A wall or counter top are not going to kill your family if they weren’t installed properly. Get it?  No, I’m not going “over board”  we’re talking about oil fired water heaters, the most dangerous water heaters on the market.  Oil fired water heater installers have 2 licenses, one for plumbing, and another for heating.

Why risk trouble? You have nothing to worry about when we’re on the job.  So if you want a stress free process and quality job done quickly & correctly the first time by licensed & insured plumbers.  That uses the best parts, test & fine tune the burner to get the highest efficiency out put, clean up the job site like we were never there, and put everything including a warranty in writing give us a call. 800-524-4280 /203-376-5208

*Every body is hell bent on saving money these days, and we realize this, money’s tight for our families as well, but there is no such thing as a cheep oil fired water heater, and they take plumbing talent to install correctly.  Our normal prices are extremely competitive, but please be aware the total cost for a oil fired water heaters starts around $1,850 for the least expensive, 30 gall) oil fired water heater, in the ideal situation (close to a door  – no stairs.)

Shopping around for the best oil fired water heater prices. If you like the idea of NOT wasting your entire day shopping around for prices on oil fired water heaters give us a call.   Our prices are extremely low for these heaters and installations, regularly 20%-40% lower than other plumbing companies in Fairfield county.  We are regularly a couple hundred less than our plumbing competitors in New Haven county, and we have been as much as HALF the price of other plumbing quotes in the West Hartford are over the past. 

I have no money for a new oil fired water heater, what can I do? If you have enough power going to your home and 2 open slots side by side in your fuse box you could have us install a standard 50 gallon tank type electric water heater for around $900 bucks.  You will also need to spend another $200-$500 hundred bucks for an electrician to run a new electrical line.   An electric water heater is much cheaper than a new oil fired water heater, but the biggest problem is an electric water heater costs a lot of money to run.  Heating water electrically is the LEAST efficient way to heat water.  In areas like the West Coast and the North East replacing an oil fired water heater with an electric water heater will make your electric bill double.  Electric water heaters costs $50- $100 per month to run in high utility markets, or homes with large families.   Electric water heaters should be in all electric homes only, or for last resort situations for homes with oil, propane, or natural gas.

A great alternative to an oil fired water heater.  If you want to avoid all oil fried water heating products altogether there is a great idea and it’s powered electrically.  It’s a super efficient electric hybrid Heat Pump water heater.   We have installed many of them such as the Rheem HP-50 for both people that just wanted a most effiecnt water heater for both “all oil” & “all electric” homes.  The Heat Pump water heater is great way to go because it doesn’t oil or gas and it only costs an average of $285 a year to operate.  It qualifies for all rebates, and it acts as a commercial grade dehumidifier- dehumidifing all the space around the tank.  After rebates these products can be nearly the same price as installing a new 50 gallon oil fired water heaters   Heat pumps water heaters are great but they but do require a new 220 amp electrical line be run from the heat pump to the service panel.  The cost of the electrical portion of the job will depend on how close the service panel is to the water heater installation area and if there are 2 lots open and enough power for the water heater.  If you have at least 200 amp service in your home or greater you likely have enough power for the heat pump.  Generally the electrical goes for $300-$500 (depending on how far installation are is from electrical service panel.)

Other options to the Oil Fired Water Heater: If you hate the idea of putting another oil fried water heater in your basement, but are stuck with oil/ have no natural gas service.  Not enough space or power for the heat pump we can install a propane tankless water heater instead.  You would need to have a propane service agreement going and tank set up but some propane companies are offering No start up cost services when opening a new account.  Start up costs with a tankless are going to be more than a oil fired water heater, but you would at that point save money on you energy bill.  Also if you’re going to need an new appliance (dryer, oven, etc) you can get a gas version.  Most people would agree gas is more fun to cook with than electricity.  After the initial set up you can slowly transition to propane gas products if you choose.  With a propane tankless, instead of a oil fired water heater your basement will be MUCH Clean, the air quality will be better, and the tank is small and is mounted on the wall so it’s offers substantial space saving as well.

Toyotomi oil fired tankless water heaters. There is also a new (small) oil fired Tankless/wall mounted/instantaneous water heater just came out, to learn more about that check out this post.

If you read this much maybe you want to read a little more.  Check this article out out for a product break down if you have a bad oil fired water heater the more efficient options to oil fired water heaters page will give you more ideas for it’s replacement.

If you made it this far, and still stressing about your leaking oil fired water heater by now it’s obviously we know our business, so  if you live in Connecticut just give us a call and relax already!
Main: 800-524-4280,  Text:  203-376-5208 Email:  mr.waterheaters@yahoo.com

Here a picture of a oil fired water heater just about to be replaced.
Specifically from the front, with the camera pointed downward towards the burner.

Best Regards-   Jay Sullivan

We provide top quality plumbing information about services, free estimates, installations and repairs on all Rheem, Ruud, Bradford white, State, and A.O. Smith electric, gas, propane, Bock, Thermaflow/Everhot oil fired hot water heaters, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi tankless water heaters, Ruud, Bock, and lochinvar oil fired water heaters, SuperStor storage tanks, Peerless, Laars, and Crown tankless coils, and repairs on all hot water heater throughout the state of Connecticut including Bridgeport, CT- Bristol, CT- Cheshire, CT- Danbury,CT- Derby,CT- East Hartford,CT- East Haven,CT- Enfield,CT- Fairfield,CT- Hamden,CT- Hartford,CT- Meriden,CT- Orange,CT- Middletown,CT- Milford,CT- New Britain,CT- New Haven,CT- New London,CT- Norwalk,CT- East Norwalk,CT- Norwich,CT- Putnam,CT- Shelton,CT- Southington,CT- Stamford,CT- Stratford,CT- Southport,CT- Torrington,CT- Wallingford,CT- Watertown,CT- West Hartford,CT- West Haven,CT- Westport,CT- Wethersfield,CT- Willimantic,CT- all shore areas, and surrounding Connecticut areas.   800-524-4280

So, you want to know how much of your money is going to heating the water.

Here is the long story short.  I can’t speak for all of you.  Only those of you that live in the North East.  Our knowledge & experiences over the past 22 years with figuring out the costs comes from Connecticut.    We are in a cold winter environment, with the pleasure of having rates among the highest in the Nation for  electricity, gas, and propane.   If you live in Oklahoma don’t bother looking at this. Need help? Grab your bills and send us an email, and we’ll gladly help you.  mr.waterheaters@yahoo.com

Authors disclosure!   This is not absolute fact.  Just my experience over the years from installing over 3,00o+ water heaters during my career.  Talking to my clients, asking about bills & energy savings after various installations, and I live here so I know what my bills are and how they were effected when I installed my tankless last year.   (I went from a 50 gallon traditional water heater to tankless in my home, which is in Milford, CT)

These are Rough Estimates of Water Heating Expenses for homes located in the North East/ New England.

The amount of energy Traditional “Tank Type” Water Heater consumes yearly.

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional Tank Type Natural Gas water heaters spend $350- $550 per year on water heating expenses
$500 – $ 700 for larger families.  (4-6)

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional Tank Type Electric water heaters spend $800- $2,000+ per year on water heating expenses.
$1,500 – $2,800  for larger families. (4-6)  (electric tank type water heaters are the most expensive way to heat water)

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional Tank Type Oil Fired water heaters spend $700 – $2,000+ (per year on water heating expenses only)
$1,500-$2,500+ for larger families (4-6)

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional “older” Natural Gas Fired Boilers, w/ Indirect Storage Tanks spend $200 -$500+ (per year on water heating expenses only)  (Hard to determine without detailed analysis because the homes domestic hot water is created for free during heating months from the boiler.   The Age of boiler, it’s efficiency, and quality of storage tank, and other factors greatly determine this.)
$300-$600+ for larger families (4-6)

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional “older” Oil Fired Boilers, w/ Indirect Storage Tanks spend $1,000 -$2,000+ (per year on water heating expenses only)  (Hard to determine without detailed analysis because the homes domestic hot water is created for free during heating months from the boiler.   The Age of boiler, it’s efficiency, and quality of storage tank, and other factors greatly determine this.)
$1,500-$2,500+ for larger families (4-6)

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional “older” Oil Fired Boilers, w/ Tankless Coils spend $450-$900 (per year on water heating expenses.
$800-$2,000  for larger families (4-6)
The boiler turns on every single time hot water is called for, which puts a lot of wear and tear on your boiler, soot in the air, wear and tear on the chimney, and tankless coils are notorious for running out of hot water during the winter months.

(These numbers are estimates based on New England’s utility rates as of 3/25/2011)

How much energy (electricity, natural gas, or propane) does a Tankless water heater use in the North East?

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional Natural Gas Tankless water heaters spend $150- $350  per year on water heating expenses
$250 – $500/max  for larger families.  (4-6)    Tankless water heaters such as, Navien, Noritz, Rheem, Takagi, Rinnai, Bosch

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional Propane Tankless water heaters spend $175- $375  per year on water heating expenses
$350 – $600/max  for larger families.  (4-6)    Tankless water heaters such as, Navien, Noritz, Rheem, Takagi, Rinnai, Bosch

Most small families (2-4 people) with traditional Electric Tankless  water heaters spend $400- $900  per year on water heating expenses
$600 – $ 1,200  for larger families.  (4-6)   (Electricity is the most expensive way to heat water, even with it being a “tankless” heater)

Most small families (2-4 people) with Hybrid  Natural & Propane Tankless water heaters spend $250  $450- per year on water heating expenses
$400 – $750/max  for larger families.  (4-6)   Hybrid tankless such as the Eternal Tankless.   Hybrid= Different type of heat exchanger.

How much energy electricity does a Heat Pump water heaters use in the North East?

Most small families (2-4 people) with a Heat Pump Electric water heaters spend $235- $585/max- per year on water heating expenses
$400 – $700/max  for larger families.  (4-6)   Heat Pump Hybrid water heaters such as the Rheem HP-50, and the GE  Geospring.
Heat Pump water heaters fully qualify to every local, state, and federal rebate program known.

We installed a HP-50 in January of 09, (the least efficient time of year for the heat pump to run)  and our clients very next electric bill in February was $100 dollars lower.  This was for a small family of 2.

You better believe the heat pump water heater can deliver REAL savings even if you in the North East.   An Electric Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater uses less than half the electricity of traditional electric water heaters.

Whether you have an 30 gallon, 50 gallon, 75 gallon oil fired water heater, or any size tankless coil there is a much better replacement options to using heating oil available today.

Invite us over for and provide you with an estimate today.

800-524-4280

All rights reserved.  Do not copy.
Great advertising opportunities here for any company not in our area of Connecticut.
mr.waterheaters@yahoo.com

Plumbers that install water heaters for Boats, and RV’s.

-There are many choices for plumbers in Connecticut for your homes plumbing needs but few have the ability and are willing  to take on the challenging, and even routine plumbing maintenance on marine vessels, and RV’s.   A yacht and RV’s plumbing fixtures are smaller, and harder to get to.  The parts are more expensive, harder to find, and almost always need to be ordered.  Small water heaters for RV’s and boats can cost as much or more than a full sized water heater for a home would.
Repairing and installing a replacement water heater can be quite challenging due to space restrictions, and hard to find parts.

Over the years we have satisfied our clients plumbing and heating needs for there  yachts, boats, RV’s, and kitchens in mobile food service trucks and most likely we can do the same for you.

If you live in or near the shore communities of Connecticut you may have with you yacht, sail boat, luxury RV  The shore communities have  number to call, and a name to trust for these matters.

Bruce Somers Plumbing llc

Ready, willing, and able to take on the most challenging plumbing jobs for RV’s and Marine Vessels in Connecticut.
-Water heaters, dripping fixtures, gas piping, winterization, frozen pipes, and more.-

Emergency service available on RV and Marine vessels.

*Appointment preferred.*

(800)-524-4280

Master Plumber  -  Over 25 years experience

52 Bonney Terrace, Fairfield, CT 06824

E-mail    bs.plumbing@att.net

State Licensing: P-01 Plumbing, 0285038, 10-31-2010
CT Insurance: General Liability, $2,000,000; 07-28-2010

We provide top quality plumbing services, estimates, installations and repairs on all Rheem, Ruud, Bradford white, State, and A.O. Smith electric, gas, propane, Bock, Thermaflow/Everhot oil fired hot water heaters, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi tankless water heaters, Ruud, Bock, and lochinvar oil fired water heaters, SuperStor storage tanks, Peerless, Laars, and Crown tankless coils, and repairs on all hot water heater throughout the state of Connecticut including Bridgeport, CT- Bristol, CT- Cheshire, CT- Danbury,CT- Derby,CT- East Hartford,CT- East Haven,CT- Fairfield,CT- Hamden,CT- Hartford,CT- Meriden,CT- Orange,CT- Middletown,CT- Milford,CT- New Haven,CT- Norwalk,CT- East Norwalk,CT- Norwich,CT- Shelton,CT- Southington,CT- Stamford,CT- Stratford,CT- Southport,CT- Torrington,CT- Wallingford,CT- West Haven,CT- Westport,CT- all shore areas, and surrounding Connecticut areas. Contact us today for a professional plumbing experience and a free estimate today. 800-524-4280

Additional Marine and RV Hot Water Heaters Information.

Some popular brands of water heaters for mobile homes, on the road and the water.
Reviews of Atwood, Suburban, Eemax and more.

Popular Boat and RV hot water heater models you can find on the market, online like Amazon and RV stores, are the ones using propane gas and electric as the fuel source. With the most common sizes like 6 and 10 gallons, these small and compact water heating units can be installed in almost any recreational vehicle and motor home.

Different popular brands of Water Heaters certified for RV’s, and boats.

Atwood Water Heaters

Why to buy Atwood water heater, problems, how to repair, benefits, Atwood RV products

Atwood water heater appliances belong to a group of well known RV water heater manufacturers that are designing and producing models for recreation vehicles and outdoor applications, for many years. All Atwood RV water heater models are certified by the Canadian Standards Association for installation in mobile homes, and they comply with local codes and American ANSI standard. Atwood heaters are recognized for quality, reliability of their RV and marine products and service.Atwood also offers a decent RV accessory line like the door mounting system, adjustable thermostat, thermal cut off kit, drain plugs, so you can be fully equipped, when being mobile, traveling, camping or repairing.Note: During the cold winter months, if you are not using RV, the recommendation is to drain all the water from the Atwood water heater, as it might freeze.

These RV hot water heaters and other Atwood RV products are designed to save space, reduce visible portion and to provide more integrated and attractive appearance. They are light and reliable, so they can be used even in difficult mobile outdoor conditions.

There are three Atwood water heater models, based on its lighting options:

• Atwood RV water heater with electronic ignition

• Pilot re-light ignition – has to be manually lit; automatically re-lights when extinguished by wind.

• Pilot ignition – has to be manually lit also.

There are two sizes of Atwood hot water tanks; 6 gallon and 10 gallon capacity, with gas input of 8,800 BTU and 10,000 BTU. Atwood water heater is mainly using propane gas or LP for water heating. They can also operate from an electric source, off an electrical hook-up or a generator, with the RV’s engine-cooling system and combining two fuel sources.  When using motor coach engines “anyway” and wasted energy to heat water, it’s a great advantage, as your hot water is ready when you arrive at the destination, and you save on energy/propane.

Atwood water heaters are ease to service. Majority of the RV water heater parts are accessible from the exterior, saving you time for troubleshooting and repairs, no need for entering the RV by the service technician.  Even with great accessibility, problems can arise if the water heater is not protected or maintained properly. This is why Atwood hot water heaters have a multiple protection system consisted of high temperature limit switch, thermostat and TPR or temperature-pressure relief valve.

Note: For gas RV water heaters, the fresh air for combustion has to be provided from outside and combustion products to be vented out RV.
Note: Don’t run gas water heater when RV is in motion.

Atwood hot water heater price:
Water heaters with electronic ignition are more expensive than units with pilot light. Price also depends on the gas BTU input and capacity, and it can range from 400$ to 580$.
Atwood water heater with pilot light is cheaper and its price range is from $290 to $430. You can buy them in one of many online stores that are dealing with camping products, RV stores, Amazon.com, Google…
For Atwood RV water heater troubleshooting, problems and repairs, we recommend you using this repair guide and manufacturers manual, or call Atwood technical support for details.

Suburban RV Water Heater – Review
Review of Suburban mobile home water heating units and benefits

Suburban RV Water Heater

Why to buy Suburban water heater, problems, how to repair, benefits and popular Suburban products

Suburban RV water heater appliances available on the North American market can be found in three different types and sizes; from 4 to 16 gallons; all models that fit and are easy to install in almost any recreational vehicle.

Based on your RV design, your motor home requirements and personal preference, you can find Suburban water heaters that are high recovery using propane gas, units that are combination gas/electric and models that are utilizing coach engine heat, called also motor aid models.

Suburban Water Heater Models

All Suburban water heaters with tank sizes from 6 to 16 gallons, are fast recovery units with 12,000 BTU gas input and providing high 10.2 gallons per hour recovery, which means more hot water for you with less “cold sandwiches”. And with a specially designed insulation jacket, more heat remains used and less heat loss.

To get even faster recovery rate, your RV water heater can utilize both electric heating element and gas burner at the same time.

Small in size Suburban RV water heater can be installed very easily. It is convenient to use, operate and maintain. Even if you have RV heating unit from other manufacturer installed, like Atwood, it can be replaced, and with Suburban accessories the installation is a snap.

Even being sold exclusively through local motor-coach dealers – Suburban doesn’t sold them directly to consumers, you can still buy Suburban water heater online, like Amazon.

The price for 10 gallon tank size and 12,000 BTU, Suburban RV water heater is around $340.

For Suburban RV water heater troubleshooting, problems and repairs, we recommend using this repair guide, manufacturer’s user guide, or call Suburban technical support for details.

Note: Installation, troubleshooting water heaters, diy RV repairs, servicing, should be done by a certified individual/installer.

Eemax Water Heaters

Review of the point of use Eemax RV and marine water heaters

Eemax RV water heaters from Eemax Inc. are on demand electric tank-less appliances, with modern and compact design, easy to install and troubleshoot and ideal for RV and for marine applications.

Eemax RV and Marine Water Heaters – Model Reviews

Eemax Inc. offers three RV and marine models; all of them are point of use water heaters, for small hot water jobs, constructed in three power ratings:

• Eemax EX2412M model provides 2.4 kW, requires 120V and 20A, 10 AWG wire size, min. 25 psi and max. 150 psi, gives 1 gallon per minute of hot water at 17 F temp. rise.

• Eemax EX3012M model provides 3.0 kW, requires 120V and 25A, 10 AWG wire size, min 25 psi and max 150 psi, gives 1 gpm at 21 F temp. rise.

• Eemax EX3512M model provides 3.5 kW, requires 120V and 29A, 10 AWG wire size, min 25 psi and max 150 psi, gives 1 gpm at 24 F temp. rise.

Note: All Eemax RV heaters must have its own and independent hard wired circuit and correctly rated double pole breaker and wires.

Check the prices of other Eemax water heaters at Amazon.com.

Eemax RV Water Heaters – Feature Review

• Eemax RV water heaters are designed as instantaneous units as they work on demand; the flow switch activates the unit when there is a demand for hot water.

• Eemax RV point of use units are small, with dimensions: 10.75″ W x 5.25″ H x 3″ D so they can easily fit almost anywhere, without occupying valuable space from your boat, RV or mobile home.

• All the created power goes to heat the water so units are 99% energy efficient.

• Maximum outgoing hot water temperature is 140 F.

• Eemax RV water heaters are designed for standard US shore power of 120 V, so they can use dockside or campsite electrical grid.

• All Eemax models are designed for low volume applications, hand washing, for example.

• Eemax RV models are easy to install, usually under the sink. Models are using bottom connection to the cold water supply and its rear for the electrical hook up. Temperature and pressure relief valve is not needed.

• Eemax Inc. provides one year limited warranty on parts and five years on leaks.

All RV units have to be installed correctly; vertically, and usually on the wall, below the level of all hot water outlets it supplies, with the water fittings facing down.

Special Eemax aerators should be installed to provide the water flow rate to be less than 1.5 gpm.

In order to activate the unit your RV water heater needs at least 0.5 gallons per minute.

Portable Hot Water Heater

Review of the popular portable propane water heaters Zodi, EccoTemp and Coleman for your RV, hiking, camping…

Portable hot water heater provides the perfect solution for heating the water for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, surfing, boating, cabin owners and RVing.
Portable water heaters are designed as tankless units offering on-demand and endless hot water supply; or tank-type which are with a limited tank-size.

If you need a hot water for camp shower, cooking, morning coffee or dishes, use the information from this article and find what the popular portable propane heaters are.

Popular portable hot water heater brands

There are a variety of small, tankless and tank-type portable water heaters using propane gas, available online or in the stores like Wallmart, Campingworld and Canadian Tire. Based on the features they offer and reviews, I have found online, here are the most popular portable propane water heaters:

• Coleman portable water heaters
• EccoTemp portable heaters
• Zodi tankless heaters for portable use

Coleman portable water heaters

If looking for the portable hot water heater from the outdoor expert, Coleman is where you should look at. The Coleman Company has been making and innovating products for recreational outdoor use, like camping and hiking, for many years.

Coleman Company, for outdoor hot water use, offers a propane tankless water heater, Model 2300-700 that comes with the 5-gallon collapsible water container, or with a continuous flow, if you buy additional accessories.

Coleman portable hot water heater benefits:

• Easy installation.
• Turn the dial on the heater to get the hot water temperature of 100 F in just five seconds.
• Coleman water heater, with one 16.4 ounce propane cylinder, heats up to 40 gallons of water, on a single pump battery charge.

Coleman portable hot water heater features:

• Variable temperature control knob to adjust the temperature from cold to the scalding hot.
• Built-in igniter with instant on/off, and a convenient swing-out spout.
• The pump is battery-operated. This is a rechargeable 6 volt battery that has a 40-minute run time. Battery low indicator light illuminates when the battery voltage is low.
• Recharger cord 110V/120V and 12-volt auto recharger cord are included.
• Maximum temperature of hot water is 160 F. Over-temp indicator light is used to signal when the maximum temperature has been exceeded.
• The hose wraps around the water heater for convenient storage.

EccoTemp portable water heaters

EccoTemp is the North American manufacturer of tankless water heaters that also offers one L5 portable hot water heater model. This 5-liter outdoor mount propane heater is using the tankless technology, specifically for the outdoor showers, when camping, RVing, hiking, boating, within the cabins…

EccoTemp portable hot water heater benefits:

• EccoTemp L5 portable water heater is very simple to install; just hang it on the tree or your RV and use the hot water.
• Easy to use with the automatic ignition when the water flows.
• With the 35,000 BTU, L5 portable heater provides hot water temperature from 80°F o 150°F and 1-1.5 gallons per minute flow rate.
• Up to 18 hours of use on a 20 pound tank.

EccoTemp portable hot water heater features:

• EccoTemp L5 model includes gas regulator with the hose to connect to 10 or 20 pound BBQ type propane cylinder.
• Shower hose with ON/OFF nozzle and multiple spray pattern.
• Shower head mount.
• Vent shield.
• L5 is equipped with the standard 1/2″ NPT pipe fitting and the garden hose adapter.
• Uses two D cell batteries.

Zodi portable water heaters

Zodi specializes in the outback gear, including portable propane water heaters. These are also called instant hot-showers as they are able to produce hot water with the temperature up to 100 F, in a short time.

You can find several types of Zodi propane heaters designed specifically for camping, RVs, hiking, boating and other outdoor activities.

From Zodi program, I will cover two the most popular and easy to use portable propane water heaters; single burner hot tap and high performance double burner heaters, with two propane tanks. Single burner hot tap is great for campers as there is an option to buy a hot shower with the soft case which expands to 4-gallon water storage, making it ideal during the transport.

Zodi portable water heater benefits:

• Built to last. Zodi portable water heaters are designed with a premium quality, for extra durability.
• By placing the pump in the water, Zodi portable heaters are very easy to use. No assembly required.
• High performance starts with the simple push ignition button.
• Compact design, fits in rugged waterproof case. Easy to carry.
• The above Zodi portable water heaters can heat up to 60 gallons of hot water, between battery and propane refills.

Zodi portable hot water heater features:

• Powerful pump that delivers great water pressure with the installed debris filter for protection against dirty water.
• Water-tight battery case with 48″ power cable and holds 4 D-cells.
• Altitude rated regulated valve, installed on the propane tank, with the ignition push button and heat control.
• Metal housing that carries the propane tank is built tough and durable.
• Long shower hose and wide spray shower head.
• Plastic storage case that protects the shower and holds 4 gallons.

Other available Zodi models are:

• Extreme SC hot shower with stainless steel construction.
• Stove Top Pro Hot Shower that can be used with the camp stoves.
• Hot Tap X-40, high output which contains 40,000 BTU burner.
• Pro 70 Hot Tap, with 70,000 BTU burner is the high demand unit.
• Pro 100, with 100,000 BTU is the largest unit, designed for multiple shower stations, or up to three shower heads.

Note: Keep in mind when operating portable propane water heater continuously for 20 min. the propane cylinder might freeze up.

Zodi manufacturer is the only one among the above three that offers different types of portable heaters, which are specifically designed for camping and other outdoor activities.

Buying tips for RV Hot Water Heaters

RV water heaters are built small, lightweight, with the intention to be installed outside, below the floor or behind the baggage door, so you can have more space to enjoy your mobile home, and still be able to service these heating appliances.

Not only that they are convenient to use but there are RV hot water heater models that are providing a great benefit of utilizing engine’s heat for water heating (while driving) and electricity from electrical system or generator.

When looking to buy RV water heater, the best models are those that meet all your needs, have a decent tank life, high performance and are reliable. You don’t want to go outdoors, for a camping in the mountains and discover that your unit is not working.

And if the poor weather and driving through the rough terrain away from civilization concerns you, don’t worry, RV hot water heater units are protected against voltage spikes and shorts in the electrical system and feature protection for electronic ignition caused by excessive heat conditions.

Size is also important, and depends on how many of you are usually traveling and using hot water for shower or dishes, and what is the demand, you can buy models with a capacity from 3 gallons up to 16 gallons.

Note: If you are not using RV during the winter time, try to protect the heating / plumbing system, by either draining the system or adding the antifreeze. You should be careful there, remove the anode rod first as it might get affected by corrosive action.

RV hot water heater and its components like reset button, limit switch, drain plug, anode rod, pilot lights and ignition system are very accessible and hidden behind the removable outer door. With a flush mount or standard protective doors, they don’t interfere with mobile home design while providing neat appearance and corrosion-free resistance.

As we said before, RV water heaters are very user friendly where you can turn the power on either from outside or inside, they are easy to maintain, troubleshoot and repair.

RV hot water heater with the electronic ignition can be activated from inside your mobile home and the heating process will start even when you are driving, without leaving RV. For pilot light models, re-ignition is possible from inside as well.

Note: Recommendation is not to use RV water heaters that are using propane gas, while driving, as the pilot light or flame can be affected with the incoming air.

***If you are/or personally know a professional plumber that repairs and installs new water heaters for Boats and RV’s post the contact information at the bottom to get that plumber and his business some free advertising.

With the cost of electricity steadily rising, point-of-use water heaters from companies like Ariston and Powerstar are an excellent choice for small water heating needs.  When your current water heater isn’t covering your demands and all you need is an extra boost of hot water consider a point of use water heater.

Why heat water when you only have a small need.

If you only need hot water for a couple hand sinks why in the world would you need to heat 30 or 40 gallons of water all day long.  You wouldn’t, unless you like wasting energy and money.

Installing a tankless water heater for the entire house can be expensive. On the other hand, running out of hot water right in the middle of your shower, because someone is washing dishes, isn’t much fun at all. The answer to your problem could be a a small point of use water heater such as a Powerstar, or Ariston’s point of use electric water heater.

A point of use heater only heats the water to a specific outlet, like the kitchen sink. A point of use tankless heater supplies instantaneous hot supply to the sink without drawing from your main tank. The supply of hot water is continuous. A point of use water heater can eliminate water waste due to cold water run off. (Water trapped in the pipes that has gotten cold.) Point of use water 12 volt heaters are energy efficient using only the necessary energy to heat the liquid to the desired temperature while the hot water is actually in use.

A Powerstar point of use heater is less expensive that a whole house tankless water heating system, but it can help you save energy. It is not necessary to have a hot water hook up to the sink with the point of use heater, since the heater will supply all the hot liquid to that sink. No hot water from your tank is used so your system doesn’t come on as frequently. Point of use electric water 12 volt heaters save water and energy.

If your current system doesn’t meet the needs of your household, consider installing a point of use heater on one or more of your outlets. Generally, the kitchen sink is the best place to install a point of use heater, since it is the second largest consumer of warm water in the home. You may never run out of hot water again with a point of use water heater.

It is possible for a whole house electric water heater to meet all the needs in your home as long as your have enough power supplied to your home (at least a 240 amp service). The powerstar electric water heater uses a tankless system that is energy efficient and supplies a continuous supply of hot water at the rate of over two gallons a minute anytime you are using it in your home. There is no storage tank that has to be heated whether or not hot water is in use. You won’t run out of hot water because the water is heated instantaneously as needed.

The whole house electric water heating system can be installed virtually anywhere there is water lines and a near by electric power supply.  Unlike other water heating systems that use bulky tanks, there is no tank to hide with tankless 12 volt heaters. You may not be able to use hot water in two major sources at the same time, like the shower and the washing machine, if the system is not sized properly but the system should supply enough hot water for all your needs if done right and you’ll never run a steamy shower again.

The temperature of the water is set with a thermostat just as with any other system. You set the thermostat to the desired temperature and the system produces over two gallons of water a minute at the temperature to which the thermostat is set. A gas or propane tankless hot water heater will be able to efficiently heat enough water for use in a large hot tub, where most electric storage style hot water 12 volt heaters can’t do that.  Hot tubs could have their own point of use water heaters, but really if you have this much water heating needs a whole house tankless water heater is the best choice, rather than have a bunch small point of use heaters all over the house.

It can be expensive to install a whole house electric water heating system, but it saves a ton energy and water. If you’re not sure about a whole house gas, propane, or electric water heaters, you may wish to install a smaller point of use heater on one water outlet like the kitchen sink in your house. Point of use 12 volt heaters don’t heat as much water, since they only heat the water for one outlet. By installing a point of use heater, you can see how the system works and if a Powerstar, or Ariston’s whole house electric water heater is right for your household.

Got questions?   Get them answered.   800-524-4280

We provide top quality plumbing information, services, free estimates, installations and repairs on all Rheem, Ruud, Bradford white, State, and A.O. Smith electric, gas, propane, Bock, Thermaflow/Everhot oil fired hot water heaters, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi tankless water heaters, Ruud, Bock, and lochinvar oil fired water heaters, SuperStor storage tanks, Peerless, Laars, and Crown tankless coils, We offer same day service repairs on all hot water heater throughout the state of Connecticut including Bridgeport, CT- Bristol, CT- Cheshire, CT- Danbury,CT- Derby,CT- East Hartford,CT- East Haven,CT- Enfield,CT- Fairfield,CT- Hamden,CT- Hartford,CT- Meriden,CT- Orange,CT- Middletown,CT- Milford,CT- New Britain,CT- New Haven,CT- New London,CT- Norwalk,CT- East Norwalk,CT- Norwich,CT- Putnam,CT- Shelton,CT- Southington,CT- Stamford,CT- Stratford,CT- Southport,CT- Torrington,CT- Wallingford,CT- Watertown,CT- West Hartford,CT- West Haven,CT- Westport,CT- Wethersfield,CT- all shore areas, and surrounding Connecticut areas. Contact us today for a professional plumbing experience.  New tankless water heater installations aren’t cheep, but the return on investment is quick, and the installation process is painless. We are here to get your new tankless hot water heater installed, or any other plumbing task accomplished as quickly, safely, and affordable as possible. Invite us over for a free estimate today. 800-524-4280

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Power vent water heaters aren’t cheep, but we are here to get your new power vent water heater installed as quickly, safely, and affordable as possible. If you’re in Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey Invite us over for a free estimate and we will take great care of you.

A Plus Plumber llc  CT
Sure Combustion llc NYC
Top Quality Plumbing llc NJ

800 524 4280

A power vented water heater works exactly like a regular natural gas or propane water heater, but with one major difference!
The harmful exhaust produced by all gas water heaters needs help leaving the house.  The “powered vented” model accomplishes this.

traditional gas water heater venting.

All traditional tank type gas water heaters produce harmful gasses as a result of the fuel combustion process under the tank.  The exhaust goes up the middle of the tank, out the top through a 3 inch silver colored vent pipe, then “normally” into & out the top of the chimney.  However if you don’t have a chimney, or the one you have is in need of repair and isn’t safe to use you will need a power vented water heater.   The reason why you need to use a power vented heater is,  for one reason or another you don’t have a chimney naturally drawing the fumes up and out of the home.

Misconceptions about power vented water heaters. A motor is NOT just strapped on top of a normal water heater.   They do look a lot like standard gas water heaters but power vent water heaters are packed with safety features, CO2 censors and wiring unseen under the tank’s jacket which make them more expensive but necessary to protect your family, says the government.

Rheem Power Vented Water Heater - cut shot picPower Vent water heaters are much more expensive than normally vented water heaters.

Price Shock. Power vented water heaters are more than twice the cost as normal water heaters.   The water heater has wiring under the tank jacket connecting the motor to the gas valve, the gas valve is different, and there are multiple safety censors .

Installation Price. The labor cost to have power vented water heaters installed is about the same as regural vented water heater for “swap out” installatinos.  Meaning taking one out and installing another in it’s place.

For new installations the labor is more due to the fact that there is more labor involved with the installation process.
For new installations of power vented water heaters a new 3 or 4 inch hole must be drilled through an outside wall, which can be arduous and time consuming.   If it’s a cement wall you might need to rent a a special core hole drill  to accomplish this task.

How long do power vented water heaters last? Not as long as other heaters.   Power vent water heater have more components so there are more things to go wrong.
If you get…   8-10 years out of it this is considered pretty much normal.   10- 12 years and it did well.   More than 15 years and it kicked ass.  Adding a expansion tank and check valve are recommended with power vent heaters, and can provide a longer service life.

How long is a power vented water heaters warranties. Nearly all power vented water heater come with 6 year warranties.

Premature deaths of power vented water heaters. If you don’t properly install a power vented water heater it’s safety features will actually “self destruct”.  Sounds crazy but it’s true.  All new gas water heaters now have sealed combustion chambers,  (so the thing will work even with a 6- 10 inches of water around the tank/ wont turn off and fill the house with gas as a result of the polite being put out)   It’s a great feature and all the manufacturing companies added this feature that very literally self destructs, meaning the gas control will turn off, and a small window will crack, thus your water heater is unusable.   All you have to do to see if this happen to you new hot water heater removed the metal cover behind the gas control and look at the small glass window, if the small glass window looks like it’s smokey, cracked, or blacked from a flash of smoke & fire it’s time to call a plumber.

If I don’t have a working chimney can I attach a motor to a regular or traditional natural gas, or propane hot water heater to make it power vented?
NO- You CAN NOT “attach” a motor to a regular/ traditional water heater, because the motor works in conjunction with  special sensors which tells the motor when to turn on and off.   (In the old days, a retro fit power vent motor kit was sold, but this isn’t legal for the majority of plumbing codes across the country today.)  A professional series “add on” powerventer kit is available but costs 1,000-1,500+ to install.   Might as well spend similar money for a brand new power vented water heater.

Can I just direct the exhaust pipe threw an outside wall with a regularly vented water heater, to avoid the high cost of power vented water heaters?
No-  It’s very illegal, unsafe, by kicking CO2 into the house, and the water heater will turn it’s self off often.

What is a good replacement idea for a power vent water heater? Your choices are some what limited, you need something with the power vent or “direct vent” feature if you want to keep on using gas, the cheapest fuel.  You could install an electric water heater but your electric bill would jump through the roof because conventional electric water heaters are the least efficient way to heat water possible.  An electric Heat Pump water heater could work nicely and it provides a bonus dehumidify feature, but the electrical requirements can sometimes make them as expensive as a tankless water heater.  A tankless water heater is a great alternative to a power vent water heater for a few reasons.  A)  A power vent water heater is very expensive, as much as $700-$1,000 just for the tank,  better off putting that money into a tankless water heater that will last 3 times as long.   B) Incredible space savings.  C) You already have an electrical outlet near by.   D) There is already a hole going through the side of the house that the tankless requires.   F)  Better installation pricing.  A power vent water heater already has, electrical, water, and 1 vent hole all ready near by, those reasons together means a tankless water heater could be very reasonable to have installed, maybe a as little as an extra $1,000 -$2,000 more than a power vent, without rebates.   (Tankless water heaters last 2-3+ times longer than power vent water heaters)

If you are in the TRI State area give us a call today!

800-524-4280

Affordable Power Vent Water Heater Repair & Installation in NYC, NJ & CT.

We provide top quality plumbing information about services, free estimates, installations and repairs on all Rheem, Ruud, Bradford white, State, and A.O. Smith electric, gas, propane, Bock, Thermaflow/Everhot oil fired hot water heaters, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi tankless water heaters, Ruud, Bock, and lochinvar oil fired water heaters, SuperStor storage tanks, Peerless, Laars, and Crown tankless coils, and repairs on all hot water heater throughout the state of Connecticut including Bridgeport, CT- Bristol, CT- Cheshire, CT- Danbury,CT- Derby,CT- East Hartford,CT- East Haven,CT- Enfield,CT- Fairfield,CT- Hamden,CT- Hartford,CT- Meriden,CT- Orange,CT- Middletown,CT- Milford,CT- New Britain,CT- New Haven,CT- New London,CT- Norwalk,CT- East Norwalk,CT- Norwich,CT- Putnam,CT- Shelton,CT- Southington,CT- Stamford,CT- Stratford,CT- Southport,CT- Torrington,CT- Wallingford,CT- Watertown,CT- West Hartford,CT- West Haven,CT- Westport,CT- Wethersfield,CT- Willimantic,CT- all shore areas, and surrounding Connecticut areas. Contact us today for a professional plumbing experience.  Power vent water heaters aren’t cheep, but we are here to get your new power vent water heater installed as quickly, safely, and affordable as possible. Invite us over for a free estimate and we may leave you in shock from how good your were treated.

What they look like, what they are exactly, how they work, why they break down, and what your options are.

How they work, here.

We provide top quality plumbing information about services, free estimates, installations and repairs on all Rheem, Ruud, Bradford white, State, and A.O. Smith electric, gas, propane, Bock, Thermaflow/Everhot oil fired hot water heaters, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi tankless water heaters, Ruud, Bock, and lochinvar oil fired water heaters, SuperStor storage tanks, Peerless, Laars, and Crown tankless coils, Solar water heating installations, and repairs on all hot water heater throughout the state of Connecticut including Bridgeport, CT- Bristol, CT- Cheshire, CT- Danbury,CT- Derby,CT- East Hartford,CT- East Haven,CT- Enfield,CT- Fairfield,CT- Hamden,CT- Hartford,CT- Meriden,CT- Orange,CT- Middletown,CT- Milford,CT- New Britain,CT- New Haven,CT- New London,CT- Norwalk,CT- East Norwalk,CT- Norwich,CT- Putnam,CT- Shelton,CT- Southington,CT- Stamford,CT- Stratford,CT- Southport,CT- Torrington,CT- Wallingford,CT- Watertown,CT- West Hartford,CT- West Haven,CT- Westport,CT- Wethersfield,CT- Willimantic,CT- all shore areas, and surrounding Connecticut areas.

In this post you will see what some indirect water heaters look like, you’ll find out what  they are exactly, how they work, and what your options are if/ or when you need a new one. Enjoy

Tankless Coil and Indirect Water Heaters.A home’s space heating system can also be used to heat water. Two types of water heaters that use this system are tankless coil and indirect. No separate storage tank is needed in the tankless coil water heater because water is heated directly inside the boiler within a separate chamber of the heating system. The water flows through a heat exchanger in the boiler whenever a hot water faucet is turned on. During colder months, the tankless coil works well because the heating system is used regularly. However, the system is less efficient during warmer months and in warmer climates when the boiler is used less frequently.

A separate storage tank is required with an indirect water heater. Like the tankless coil, the indirect water heater circulates water through a heat exchanger in the boiler. But this heated water then flows to an insulated storage tank. Because the boiler does not need to operate frequently, this system is more efficient than the tankless coil. In fact, when an indirect water heater is used with a highly efficient boiler, the combination may provide one of the least expensive methods of water heating.

Over time indirect water tanks need to be replaced like anything else.
Glass lined storage tanks can last 10-12 years and cost about as much large traditional water heaters 500- 700 dollars.  Stainless steal lined storage tanks can last 20-30+  years, and cost some where between 900- 1,200 dollars some brands such as Super Store come with long term warranties.

We provide top quality plumbing information about services, free estimates, installations and repairs on all Rheem, Ruud, Bradford white, State, and A.O. Smith electric, gas, propane, Bock, Thermaflow/Everhot oil fired hot water heaters, Navien, Rheem, Noritz, and Takagi tankless water heaters, Ruud, Bock, and lochinvar oil fired water heaters, SuperStor storage tanks, Peerless, Laars, and Crown tankless coils, Solar water heating installations, and repairs on all hot water heater throughout the state of Connecticut including Bridgeport, CT- Bristol, CT- Cheshire, CT- Danbury,CT- Derby,CT- East Hartford,CT- East Haven,CT- Enfield,CT- Fairfield,CT- Hamden,CT- Hartford,CT- Meriden,CT- Orange,CT- Middletown,CT- Milford,CT- New Britain,CT- New Haven,CT- New London,CT- Norwalk,CT- East Norwalk,CT- Norwich,CT- Putnam,CT- Shelton,CT- Southington,CT- Stamford,CT- Stratford,CT- Southport,CT- Torrington,CT- Wallingford,CT- Watertown,CT- West Hartford,CT- West Haven,CT- Westport,CT- Wethersfield,CT- Willimantic,CT- all shore areas, and surrounding Connecticut areas.

Not in Connecticut? Give these following links a try.

The standard “tank type” water heater is found in most homes and with just a little maintenance, provides years of trouble free operation.   Tank type water heaters heats cold water and stores the hot water until it is needed.  This post will give you a clear understanding of the components which make up the gas & electric hot water heaters.

Water heaters works by a law of physics called convection which means heat rises.  Heat rising and convection is a simple rule that we live with everyday.  Cold water is supplied to the tank and pushed to the bottom of the tank through a dip tube.  The denser cold water stays there and is heated by the gas burner- in gas water heaters & heating element in an electric water heater.  As the water heats up, it naturally rises, and is drawn off by the hot water discharge pipe. The hot water pipe is much shorter on the hot water pipe than the cold water pipe which ensures that only the hottest water is being used from the tank.


Cold water is provided to the tank by a cold water supply line and controlled by a shut off valve.  It is important to know where the water supply shut off valve is located in the case of a tank failure/ leaking tank. The hot water discharge is the end of the hot water “heating system” and where the hot water line meets the line that supplies all your sinks, tubs, showers and appliance needing hot water.

When you are looking at your water heater what you see is the tank jacket, and the tank jacket is made of  lite steel and encloses a pressure tested water storage tank. Between the storage tank and the tank jacket is insulation to reduce heat loss of the heated water. It is not a good idea to use those fiberglass insulation tank covers to the outside of the hot water heater.  They hold mositure on the tank and promote rusting of the tank, fiberglass insultion tank covers can even void some manufacuers warrieties.

Inside the tank you will see a dip tube. The dip tube is where the cold water supply enters the tank to be heated by the gas burner. Since cold air and cold water is denser than hot air or hot water, the cold water sets at the bottom of the tank until it is warmed by the burner and heated enough to rise (through convection) to the top of the tank where the hot water hangs out.

In glass-lined tanks there will also be a metal Anode rodin the tank, usually magnesium or aluminum) sometimes it’s called a sacrificial anode . The anode rod is bolted and fastened to the top of the tank and extends deep into the tank. It’s purpose is to draw corrosion to itself instead of the metal tanks it’s self.  Small cracks develop over time in the glass lining, and the anode rod improves the life of your water heater tank.  Is is nearly impossible to exchange the anode rode because they bond with the heater from years of heating and cooling/expansion & contraction.  If you could replace the anode rod in theroy hot water heatres could last 20-30+ years.

The natural gas or propane is supplied by a pipe having its own gas shutoff valve. Just like you need to know where the water supply shutoff valve is located, you need to know where the gas line shutoff is located too. The gas line fees into a gas burner control module that serves as a kind of thermostat for the water heater. It also controls the ignition of the pilot light .

From the control module we now proceed to the gas burner assembly. This includes the pilot light and gas burner itself. The pilot light and burner adjustment are key to proper and energy efficient operation of the water heater. The gas flame should about 1/2 inch in height and should have a blue tip.

Gas Combustion Exhaust Flue The exhaust flue serves two purposes. It exhausts combustion gasses from the burner and it serves as a type of heat exchanger helping to heat the water in the storage tank. The flue must be properly exhausted to the outside and there are specific code requirements for the type of flue construction and acceptable details.  General rule of them is that, the exhaust wants to rise naturally and the smoke pipe/ or flue pipe takes the exhaust to the chimney, and the chimney takes it up and out of the house.  If their is no chimney in your house, or the one you have is bad/ condemned you have, or need a power vent water heater.  A power vent water heater has a special motor that sits on top of the water heater and forces the exhaust thur 3-4 inch pvc pipe to an outside wall. The location of the pipe must be a  few feet away from any windows and door ways.

Safety features. A safety feature of the hot water heater includes the pressure relief valve and discharge pipe.  The purpose of this valve is to relieve excessive temperature or pressure build up inside the tank if it approaches the limits of the tank’s safe design range. This valve is located on top, or side of the tank and is threaded directly into the tank striaght from the factory . To test the valve lift up on the handle slightly and hot water should discharge out of the overflow pipe. However if the water heater, and valve is very old it’s possiable that once you open the valve it won’t completly shut again!

Draining the Tank. The hot water tank can build up sediments in the bottom of the tank and if left unmaintained  it can rob you of hot water, and make your water dirty.  By draining the tank using the tank drain valve these sediments cannot build up. And if you don’t have sedimentation then that helps to prolong the life of your tank and improve your water quality.

Before you flush your water heater you must perform these following steps!!!