I am having to adapt with the changes that are happening with Tank type water heaters. The new Department of Energy Standards and the Manufacturers are causing Major Problems in Texas. In Attics and some Garages we are having issues with them not staying Lit. I have tried all of the 3 manufacturers and it's a big issue. I am now having to explain that there is a 20 percent chance that you will have to light the heater over and over again in the Summer months and possibly in the coldest part of the winter. In many cases multiple times per Week. The manufacturers have no answer and blame the environment. I do think it has to do with the temperatures and the unit not getting enough Make up air from the outside. I see this with Attics. If the outside temperature is 100F and your attic is hotter than 120F this may mean that the Soffit vents are clogged or the attic is not ventilating correctly, but I have also seen many garage water heaters go out as well, so its a big issue.
Then at the beginning of 2024 a large manufacturer brought on a new Robot Welding machine that can weld "thinner Metal". This is in an attempt to keep costs of the heaters low, but if it is true that they are producing tanks with thinner metal, then we will see them not last as long. I have already seen many not making it to the 8 year average in attics that we have seen. Several manufacturers told me in 2014 that they had made changes and the Tanks would last longer, but now that I have the Data in 2024 I can tell you that was a Lie. They are not lasting longer on average.
In conclusion, The 2 things that Tank Type water heaters had going for them was that they were cheaper by a considerable amount and were very simple and easy to maintain and just worked. Now that they are more expensive and having major issues. I recommend biting the bullet and switching to Tankless. Currently the cost for 2 water heaters in an attic with a Leak protection valve is $4,875.00. Those last an average of 8 years and cost around $720.00 per year to operate at the moment. A tankless conversion from tanks to tankless Costs $8700.00 and they last 15 years or longer on average and cost $200.00 per year to operate. They also qualify for a Tax credit that ranges from $600 and up. You also get a AHRI number to give to your Gas company that can save you a tiny bit off of your gas bill when you give it to your gas company. The maintenance that I suggest for a tankless is $185.00 every 2 years if you want to calculate that into your decision.
CONGRATULATIONS TEXAS!!!! YOU WON AN AWARD!!
Texas has won the Award for 5th Worst water Quality in the United States. Our water is full of Chemicals, hardness, grass, dirts, rocks, and pharmaceuticals. The Sad thing is that I truly believe they are doing their best at the Government Level. If they didn't add some of the chemicals we would have Worms coming out of our Faucets. Where they Fail is being transparent. Why is it so hard for elective officials and water departments to say this simple little phrase "you may want to get a filter system". It's literally that simple. While adding one can be complicated, I can personally tell you many many stories of customers that have seen the benefits of one installed. I have one on my home. I love it, but even with that filter. I do my best to drink the Ozarka water that I have delivered in 5 gallon jugs to my home. The filter keeps my eczema away and I love the feel of it, but we cannot take Dirty Lake lewisville water or Lake Lavon water and make it taste like spring water. It's all about the source. As one of the Water physicists said to me when I attempted to filter our water to taste very well "Jay, Please tell me you are not trying to take Texas Lake water that has pesticide run off into it and try and make it taste like Spring fed or Glacier water?" LOL, That's exactly what I was trying to do. Unfortunately, The Government has its hands full with providing water for us. To Quote Woody from Toy Story. "Somebody's Poisoned the Waterhole".
Now for the Really Bad Part. The water contains Chloramine now and has for the last 10 or so years. This is product of using Ammonia to treat. They have used ammonia before but it was not used continuously until the EPA started forcing Chlorine Regulations. Chlorine can cause Cancer and in some cities the levels were more than your local backyard pool. Well this Chloramine destroys corrosion resistant Plumbing Parts at a very Fast rate. It's Eating Holes and wearing out Copper at a much faster rate than expected and I have now seen it causing problems in newer homes with Pex piping. On the Crimp type pex We have seen the fittings get brittle and Break in homes as new as 8 years. On the Expansion type pex, I have seen the pet delaminate on the inside and Leak. Getting a whole home filter system can protect your most valuable Possession and help you avoid some serious issues.
Conclusion, The above is in my own words, I left a lot of technical jargon out, and during my years of research and discussions with multiple manufactures and water phd's, I understand that my statements above are more of "Lay Terms". One pex manufacturer went on for about an hour with me on the phone arguing about what is actually causing the pex to fail. After listening to him correct my pronunciation and terms, I asked to him read my Subject line in the Email, Which said "Think we need water filters?" he replied, "most Likely" but they won't put this in the documents for fear of losing sales!!!
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