Hi all,
I moved into a new house about a year ago and since moving in, i've had suspicions that my water heater might be piped backwards (minimal hot water, water heater set on very hot, hot water duration is short but reheats quickly, etc.). After having an HVAC guy tell me it was piped correctly, I thought I was crazy. But after watching more videos and experiencing weird water related issues I have not felt in my other homes, I reached out to a few plumbers who said I was correct that the water heater does indeed have the hot water line going into the cold side of my gas tank and cold water line going into my hot side. They tested this by turning off the cold water inlet and than going to faucet and running cold water, which still flowed at full capacity. It was the hot water that would not flow on the faucet.
Both plumbers told me that there isn't a need to replace my water heater and they can repipe things, but it will cost ~$735, basically the cost of a new install. It is worth mentioning this install includes, repiping the water heater, a new expansion tank and install, and removing a gas flexline to pipe with black steel. Neither of them actually did anything to analyze the water heater though. They didn't look at the dip tube or do any kind of tests, but just said that since the water heater is from 2017, there is no need to replace. In my head, i am thinking that if the water heater has been working inefficiently this whole time, it makes no sense that there can't be any damage internally and i'd much rather pay the full cost now, versus paying $735 now and a couple hundred again in another 2-3 years (+ the cost of the water heater).
Some questions I had for you all:
1.) Would you agree that it is probably better to replace the water heater than to reuse the current one? Or, am I not thinking about this correctly?
2.) Both plumbers also said my expansion tank was no good and useless. How necessary is an expansion tank? No one else that I know in real life has an expansion tank on their water heater, so I am having a hard time understanding the worth/value.
3.) Currently, the water heater is piped with a flexible tubing for the gas line and apparently this is not up to code. To get the tubing to be black steel, it costs about ~$150. Is this a big concern? Both told me it isn't necessary, but it is the right thing to do which leads me to think I should do it, but am interested in your thoughts.
4.) We also have a Mister Mini Duct Mounting Atomizing Humidifier (Link for reference), should this be on the cold water or hot water side of the water heater?
5.) If we get a new tank, I would like to get a good quality one that is easier to maintain as I am not a handy person. (As an example, I am too scared to drain and refill my current tank, as google tells me that often times the valve will break and you need to replace a valve. I am too scared to attempt drain and refill once a year because if the valve breaks, thats a problem I don't know how to fix and don't want my family to be screwed without water.). Likewise, we are really limited on space but I would like a bigger tank if at all possible, is that at all possible (see pictures). Our house is a two story house with the water heater on the main floor in a utility closet. Current water heater is a Richmond 6G40-36F3.
I know this is a lengthy post, but I was trying to give an accurate description of what we're facing. If you need more details on anything, please let me know.
Very eager to hear everyone's input!
I moved into a new house about a year ago and since moving in, i've had suspicions that my water heater might be piped backwards (minimal hot water, water heater set on very hot, hot water duration is short but reheats quickly, etc.). After having an HVAC guy tell me it was piped correctly, I thought I was crazy. But after watching more videos and experiencing weird water related issues I have not felt in my other homes, I reached out to a few plumbers who said I was correct that the water heater does indeed have the hot water line going into the cold side of my gas tank and cold water line going into my hot side. They tested this by turning off the cold water inlet and than going to faucet and running cold water, which still flowed at full capacity. It was the hot water that would not flow on the faucet.
Both plumbers told me that there isn't a need to replace my water heater and they can repipe things, but it will cost ~$735, basically the cost of a new install. It is worth mentioning this install includes, repiping the water heater, a new expansion tank and install, and removing a gas flexline to pipe with black steel. Neither of them actually did anything to analyze the water heater though. They didn't look at the dip tube or do any kind of tests, but just said that since the water heater is from 2017, there is no need to replace. In my head, i am thinking that if the water heater has been working inefficiently this whole time, it makes no sense that there can't be any damage internally and i'd much rather pay the full cost now, versus paying $735 now and a couple hundred again in another 2-3 years (+ the cost of the water heater).
Some questions I had for you all:
1.) Would you agree that it is probably better to replace the water heater than to reuse the current one? Or, am I not thinking about this correctly?
2.) Both plumbers also said my expansion tank was no good and useless. How necessary is an expansion tank? No one else that I know in real life has an expansion tank on their water heater, so I am having a hard time understanding the worth/value.
3.) Currently, the water heater is piped with a flexible tubing for the gas line and apparently this is not up to code. To get the tubing to be black steel, it costs about ~$150. Is this a big concern? Both told me it isn't necessary, but it is the right thing to do which leads me to think I should do it, but am interested in your thoughts.
4.) We also have a Mister Mini Duct Mounting Atomizing Humidifier (Link for reference), should this be on the cold water or hot water side of the water heater?
5.) If we get a new tank, I would like to get a good quality one that is easier to maintain as I am not a handy person. (As an example, I am too scared to drain and refill my current tank, as google tells me that often times the valve will break and you need to replace a valve. I am too scared to attempt drain and refill once a year because if the valve breaks, thats a problem I don't know how to fix and don't want my family to be screwed without water.). Likewise, we are really limited on space but I would like a bigger tank if at all possible, is that at all possible (see pictures). Our house is a two story house with the water heater on the main floor in a utility closet. Current water heater is a Richmond 6G40-36F3.
I know this is a lengthy post, but I was trying to give an accurate description of what we're facing. If you need more details on anything, please let me know.
Very eager to hear everyone's input!