30 gallon hot water tank from 1983

[harryd]

My family runs a small motel in Easter NC. The elements in one of the tanks are bad and we would like to replace the tank seeing as it is from 83. The problem I am facing is finding an electric heater that fits in to the 20" by 65" closet. The current tank is Rheem 81v-300 that is 17" in diameter and 46" in height. We would also like to have the T&P valve and elements easily acceptable for future repairs. I would appreciate any ideas or input.

 

[Stuff]

If the old tank is 46" and the closet is 46" how does it even fit?

Can you go to a 20 gallon unit? The issue may be that modern tanks have more insulation and therefore are wider. You may need to do some carpentry.
A chart of Rheem's current lineup: http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/fb/fbebf69a-62ec-4eaf-ad91-2a35d24fed13.pdf

 

[Sponsor]

 

[harryd]

If the old tank is 46" and the closet is 46" how does it even fit?

Sorry the closet is 65 inches not 46

 

[Stuff]

So you should be able to shoehorn in a 19" wide, 47 5/8" high tank from that list. The T&P valve and is on the top. The drain and elements are on the front so just install it facing the door opening. The challenges will be drain pan and discharge piping. Changing the anode later would be near impossible without pulling the tank out of the closet.

If concerned then don't do it yourself. That is what plumbers are for, after all!