A few WH questions.
Info:
- 3 story townhome
- WH is in the garage
- The current one is a 50 Gal 4500/4500-Watt StateSelect WH
- The WH feeds of two 25A breakers
- As a family of 5 we never run out of hot water even back to back
- The system is open
The questions:
1. Is it worth going to a 5500/5500-Watt WH and replace the breaker or stay with a 4500/4500-Watt one and keep the breaker as is?
The 5500/5500-Watt ones seems to be more popular (if what's in stock in HD is any indication).
The 4500/4500-Watt have to be ordered in. The spec on both seems to be the same which is odd. You would expect the higher wattage one to have higher FHD rating (unless the HD specs are wrong).
2. I have 68" to where the water hot / cold supply lines come out of the wall. The WH I am thinking off is 59" tall. Not enough for an 8" cinderblock. You think I will have enough clearance for a 4" block? Or not even to bother?
3. Can I just replicate the existing pipe routes (see pic) or do you see anything wrong with it?
4. Do you have any recommendations or preferences between these two:
Rhem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. Tall 12 Year 4500/4500-Watt Elements Electric Water Heater with LCD Touch Control Display
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Pe...Touch-Control-Display-XE50T12EC55U1/205810438
Whirlpool 50-Gallon 240-Volt 12-Year Residential Regular Electric Water Heater
http://www.lowes.com/pd_592533-135-ES50R12-55___
For some reason I am inclined towards the Rhem one but the Whirlpool one has much better reviews.
Info:
- 3 story townhome
- WH is in the garage
- The current one is a 50 Gal 4500/4500-Watt StateSelect WH
- The WH feeds of two 25A breakers
- As a family of 5 we never run out of hot water even back to back
- The system is open
The questions:
1. Is it worth going to a 5500/5500-Watt WH and replace the breaker or stay with a 4500/4500-Watt one and keep the breaker as is?
The 5500/5500-Watt ones seems to be more popular (if what's in stock in HD is any indication).
The 4500/4500-Watt have to be ordered in. The spec on both seems to be the same which is odd. You would expect the higher wattage one to have higher FHD rating (unless the HD specs are wrong).
2. I have 68" to where the water hot / cold supply lines come out of the wall. The WH I am thinking off is 59" tall. Not enough for an 8" cinderblock. You think I will have enough clearance for a 4" block? Or not even to bother?
3. Can I just replicate the existing pipe routes (see pic) or do you see anything wrong with it?
4. Do you have any recommendations or preferences between these two:
Rhem Performance Platinum 50 Gal. Tall 12 Year 4500/4500-Watt Elements Electric Water Heater with LCD Touch Control Display
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Pe...Touch-Control-Display-XE50T12EC55U1/205810438
Whirlpool 50-Gallon 240-Volt 12-Year Residential Regular Electric Water Heater
http://www.lowes.com/pd_592533-135-ES50R12-55___
For some reason I am inclined towards the Rhem one but the Whirlpool one has much better reviews.