We replaced our hot water heater back in Feb of this year. Upgraded from standard GE elec to a Rheem 50gal heatpump. Could not do gas due to location. LOVE the heater with wifi monitoring, sensors and especially the crazy low energy use (especially now that we have solar panels), however... we have an issue with rust somehow it appears.
We have NO iron water pipes in the house. It's a 1991 in DFW - everything around our area is all copper. I plumbed it up with only copper and PEX, using copper, brass and Sharkbite connections only. The only iron pipe that I know of would be the nipples on the heater itself, which had white plastic dielectric inserts inside them. Initially there was no yellow at all, however it showed up around 4-5 weeks after install.
There is a very slight yellow tint if you pay attention in the mornings when the water starts to turn warm, but it disappears completely when it turns hot. Cold water is not affected at all. When we leave on vacation for a week+ though, it is much worse as the water sits somewhere and has time to absorb more of the rust. Again, the water starts clear, turns yellow, then goes back to clear, so the 50gal of water in the tank is not affected, only water in some pipe.
I called Rheem about this twice and they kept saying we have iron pipes somewhere, which is not true. I mentioned the galvanized nipples and they confirmed they are dielectric and shouldn't cause this, however admitted that it could be the issue still and are willing to send a replacement J-tube for the upper.
Due to the timing of yellow water right as it turns warm, then disappearing when it is hot, I suspect that the hot water nipple is to blame, or one of the brass or Sharkbite connections very near it (though I didn't think either could rust). Does anyone disagree?
How quickly should I start taking things apart to try and fix this? I don't want some pipe/connector to bust and cause a leak.
Thanks!
Here is a video after a 2 week vacation for proof:
We have NO iron water pipes in the house. It's a 1991 in DFW - everything around our area is all copper. I plumbed it up with only copper and PEX, using copper, brass and Sharkbite connections only. The only iron pipe that I know of would be the nipples on the heater itself, which had white plastic dielectric inserts inside them. Initially there was no yellow at all, however it showed up around 4-5 weeks after install.
There is a very slight yellow tint if you pay attention in the mornings when the water starts to turn warm, but it disappears completely when it turns hot. Cold water is not affected at all. When we leave on vacation for a week+ though, it is much worse as the water sits somewhere and has time to absorb more of the rust. Again, the water starts clear, turns yellow, then goes back to clear, so the 50gal of water in the tank is not affected, only water in some pipe.
I called Rheem about this twice and they kept saying we have iron pipes somewhere, which is not true. I mentioned the galvanized nipples and they confirmed they are dielectric and shouldn't cause this, however admitted that it could be the issue still and are willing to send a replacement J-tube for the upper.
Due to the timing of yellow water right as it turns warm, then disappearing when it is hot, I suspect that the hot water nipple is to blame, or one of the brass or Sharkbite connections very near it (though I didn't think either could rust). Does anyone disagree?
How quickly should I start taking things apart to try and fix this? I don't want some pipe/connector to bust and cause a leak.
Thanks!
Here is a video after a 2 week vacation for proof:
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