Hi all
I have 2x 50 gallon gas power vent water heaters in basement, hooked up in Series. They are 20 YRS OLD. I assume builder did this because our 3000 sqft home has 4 full baths including a jetted tub in the master (which we use probably twice a year at most haha). Master shower also includes side jets and a rain head in addition to the wand, and again we only ever use the wand. Kids sometimes take a bath in the other normal tub (not jacuzzi tub)
FIRST QUESTION is Should I PROACTIVELY replace these units? No sign of leaking, no weird noises. They are Richmond 6yr warranty units. All of a sudden a few nights ago I just started thinking that I am on borrowed time from everything I read, BUT if they are still working fine should I just keep watching them? New units especially as I need to get 2 units, are not "cheap". It's not like I am gonna pay back thru energy savings either....my gas bill in summer is like 40 bucks total.
How do units "fail" (I know, leak, but will it first start with some light dripping where I can catch it if I am checking periodically, or does it go from fine to major water leaking in literally days or even hours?
For some reason does the water in Chicago area coat the inside of the tanks with lime where they don't "rust" or something? I am just (happily) surprised that my relatively basic Richmonds are lasting this long, and wonder if it is possible they last another 5 years? 10 years? Would feel dumb spending thousands to yank out heaters that would last more and then put in current ones that might break down more quickly.
Any thoughts appreciated. If choose to watch and wait...I guess I should shut off when going on vacation and turn off the inlet ball valve too just in case they sprung a leak while we aren't here. And buy some sort of water alarm too.
I have 2x 50 gallon gas power vent water heaters in basement, hooked up in Series. They are 20 YRS OLD. I assume builder did this because our 3000 sqft home has 4 full baths including a jetted tub in the master (which we use probably twice a year at most haha). Master shower also includes side jets and a rain head in addition to the wand, and again we only ever use the wand. Kids sometimes take a bath in the other normal tub (not jacuzzi tub)
FIRST QUESTION is Should I PROACTIVELY replace these units? No sign of leaking, no weird noises. They are Richmond 6yr warranty units. All of a sudden a few nights ago I just started thinking that I am on borrowed time from everything I read, BUT if they are still working fine should I just keep watching them? New units especially as I need to get 2 units, are not "cheap". It's not like I am gonna pay back thru energy savings either....my gas bill in summer is like 40 bucks total.
How do units "fail" (I know, leak, but will it first start with some light dripping where I can catch it if I am checking periodically, or does it go from fine to major water leaking in literally days or even hours?
For some reason does the water in Chicago area coat the inside of the tanks with lime where they don't "rust" or something? I am just (happily) surprised that my relatively basic Richmonds are lasting this long, and wonder if it is possible they last another 5 years? 10 years? Would feel dumb spending thousands to yank out heaters that would last more and then put in current ones that might break down more quickly.
Any thoughts appreciated. If choose to watch and wait...I guess I should shut off when going on vacation and turn off the inlet ball valve too just in case they sprung a leak while we aren't here. And buy some sort of water alarm too.