self-cleaning water heaters

Posted by JRStern on November 7, 2009, 1:36 pm

I see Home Depot has a line of GE/Rheem gas water heaters:

* 40 gallon, 6 year warranty, $488
* 38 gallon, 9 year warranty, self-cleaning, $498
* 40 gallon, 12 year warranty, self-cleaning, $578

Other specs seem the same.

My question is, what does this self-cleaning mean, and is it likely
that the extra bucks for the 12-year is a good investment?

(given that I'll also be paying to have them install it, which given
venting and access issues will at least double the cost, the extra $80
isn't a big deal, but I'm still curious about it)

--

(not sure if this link will work, comparing three models)
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/THDProductCompare?errorURL=ProductAttributeErrorView&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&prodComp_0=100614634&prodComp_1=100614635&prodComp_2=100614632&N=10000003+90048+527050+780

Thanks.

J.

Posted by Ed Pawlowski on November 7, 2009, 1:49 pm

>I see Home Depot has a line of GE/Rheem gas water heaters:
> * 40 gallon, 6 year warranty, $488
> * 38 gallon, 9 year warranty, self-cleaning, $498
> * 40 gallon, 12 year warranty, self-cleaning, $578
> Other specs seem the same.
> My question is, what does this self-cleaning mean, and is it likely
> that the extra bucks for the 12-year is a good investment?

Water heaters are prone to sediment buildup that slows flow and causes other
problems over time. The self cleaning eliminates the need for draining the
bottom to clear the sediment. Has to do with the way the water circulates
in the tank.

Does it make a difference? Worth the price? That depends on the quality of
your water and how much solids can separate into the tank.

Is the 12 year a better deal? If you assume the heater will last the
warranty period, the annual cost of ownership is a bit less.

Posted by The Daring Dufas on November 7, 2009, 4:34 pm

JRStern wrote:

> I see Home Depot has a line of GE/Rheem gas water heaters:
>
> * 40 gallon, 6 year warranty, $488
> * 38 gallon, 9 year warranty, self-cleaning, $498
> * 40 gallon, 12 year warranty, self-cleaning, $578
>
> Other specs seem the same.
>
> My question is, what does this self-cleaning mean, and is it likely
> that the extra bucks for the 12-year is a good investment?
>
>
>
> (given that I'll also be paying to have them install it, which given
> venting and access issues will at least double the cost, the extra $80
> isn't a big deal, but I'm still curious about it)
>
> --
>
> (not sure if this link will work, comparing three models)
>

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/THDProductCompare?errorURL=ProductAttributeErrorView&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&prodComp_0=100614634&prodComp_1=100614635&prodComp_2=100614632&N=10000003+90048+527050+780

>
> Thanks.
>
> J.
>

The self cleaning units, if I remember correctly, have a cold
water supply tube that goes all the way to the bottom of the
tank and is curved in such a way that it swirls the water
around which keeps the sediment stirred up so it goes out with
the hot water.

TDD

Posted by JRStern on November 7, 2009, 6:46 pm

On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:34:52 -0600, The Daring Dufas

>The self cleaning units, if I remember correctly, have a cold
>water supply tube that goes all the way to the bottom of the
>tank and is curved in such a way that it swirls the water
>around which keeps the sediment stirred up so it goes out with
>the hot water.

Heh, just what I wanted to know! High tech at it's best!

I presume it works somewhat, at least sounds like it can do no harm.

Thanks.

J.

Posted by The Daring Dufas on November 7, 2009, 6:56 pm

JRStern wrote:

> On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:34:52 -0600, The Daring Dufas
>

>> The self cleaning units, if I remember correctly, have a cold
>> water supply tube that goes all the way to the bottom of the
>> tank and is curved in such a way that it swirls the water
>> around which keeps the sediment stirred up so it goes out with
>> the hot water.

>
> Heh, just what I wanted to know! High tech at it's best!
>
> I presume it works somewhat, at least sounds like it can do no harm.
>
> Thanks.
>
> J.
>

You're welcome, I know a little bit about how stuff works.
*snicker*

http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/service/better.html

There is some debate about whether or not the feature is
effective at reducing sediment.

TDD

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