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Posted by Bob F on November 7, 2006, 5:56 pm
> The subject of this posting is basically a question of risk aversion.
> I am sure that gamblers and people with low risk aversion are more
> willing to say that I should wait to replace my water heater while
> others who worry like I do, would be quick to say replace.
>
> Basically, about 6 months ago I purchased a 23 yr. old home with a 13
> yr. old electric hot water heater (no natural gas in my area). I was
> told by the home inspector to budget for a replacement. For some odd
> reason, while returning home after a Sunday trip this past weekend, I
> started to think about the hot water heater and how much life it had
> left.
>
> I don't smell any odd smells or hear any odd noises and the hot water
> appears to be heated and recovered quickly. No complaints at all.
> However, my hot water heater is installed in a 2nd story utility closet
> with a 1.5 inch high drip pan and nothing but sub-floor to spill onto
> once overflowing the drip pan. I have read and been told that water
> heaters sometimes just stop working, sometimes develop a small leak,
> and sometimes decide to burst and drop all their load at once.
> Although I have homeowner's insurance to cover any water damage caused,
> it is a hassle I don't necessarily want to deal with AND there is
> always the deductible anyway. I have purchased an automatic water
> shut-off to stop additional flooding if a leak should ever occur but
> that doesn't account for the 50 gallons of water already in the tank.
>
> In my research, I have found a decent $278 Whirlpool with a 9 yr.
> warranty and pretty good energy efficiency. Lowe's charges $194 for
> installation.
>
> Does anybody have any opinion regarding whether or not I should go
> ahead with the replacement or should I wait to see a leak or lapse in
> operation of the heater?
>
The heaters I've had fail just started to drip a little water. Put a
water sensing alarm in the drip pan and quit worrying. If you
live in an area with really corrosive water, it might be another
matter.
You could pull out the anode. If it's completely gone, then
your heater would be more suspect. If it's significantly gone,
replace the anode, which helps keep the heater from
corrodeing.
Bob
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