Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
I need advice on a natural gas water heater?
I had a Whirlpool that gave out ofter two and a half years. I got a cred it at Lowes for the current full price, but decided to buy elsewhere since 96 out of 98 reviews were a 1 star and everyone is or has had the same problems. I had a Rheem put in and after 4 trips out I am still getting not enough hot water that I need to turn my cold on. They wanted to come replace more parts, and when I asked for a new unit they said they just want to come get it and let me buy another brand. I want a good brand that will not only last, but will give me hot water when we need it. I looked all over the internet and couldn't find much information from places like consumer reports, etc. I would appreciate any suggestions or stories about good or bad experiences with natural gas water heaters?
I have the water heater set at the factory setting which Rheem recommended when I called. The company who installed it told me to put in on the next to the highest setting, but Rheem said that is way too hot and would scald me at 140 degrees. Even at that setting, which the installer tried, I didn't get very much hot water and it gave out before she could take her shower. I had heard AO Smith, but the place I got this one at said they stopped due to problems. And, a lot of articles on the internet gave Bradford White bad rating. Although the Whirlpool gave out, it was great up until it did. I guess it is too much to expect that. The place I got it at offered to come replace more parts, but I am not comfortable with a week old unit that is continually breaking down or needed a part replaced.-
ANSWER:
Bradford White if you are dead set in going with a tanked water heater. If you decide to upgrade to a tankless I would go with Rinnai. I have had better luck with these two brands than any other and I have been installing and working on water heaters for 15 years.
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QUESTION:
Can anyone tell me about the Titan Tankless Water Heater?
I want to switch my old tank water heater to a new tankless unit. I have read they save money on your hot water bill and provide hot water that never ends (a girls dream). Everywhere I look on the Internet I see the Titan Tankless Water Heater with glowing reviews. Can anyone tell me about it, tankless in general, gas or electric?-
ANSWER:
I have a tankless water heater in my home that I bought from http://www.titantankless.com and it is the best thing ever. It provides endless hot water so you can shower all day if you want and it never runs out. My electric bill went down about 35 dollars a month also as it only turns on when you activate hot water. A tank model turns off and on all day even if you don't use it. The water is also safer as a tank can develop rust, germs and sediment in the storage tank. So you will find your hair and skin improves! Although gas can provide hotter water it is very unsafe. Rheem and other tank companies just recalled like 50,000 gas tankless units for carbon monoxide poisoning in homes. Its like car exhaust entering your house!! here is the recall link for gas units: http://www.tankless-recall.com/. Gas is also super expensive now...outta control!!
I have electric and it works great and is much safer. It was easy to install! I can fill my tub all the way and never worry about hot water running out. I can have 10 guests over and not worry about the hot water running out!!!
I did a lot of research and the largest selling unit and one that I use is the Titan Tankless N-120 Water Heater. They invented it and have been in business 20 years.
All of the information on the unit and helpful things to help you decide are on their site at http://www.titantankless.com
Please be careful about gas models as they are DANGEROUS!
I would stick with electric.
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QUESTION:
Whats the harm in leaving a gas stove top (open flame) on ?
Ive been reviewing many answers on yahoo answers about this topic and they all seem to go back and forth. So im asking a more specific question in search of VERY specific answers..Our electricity has been out for about 48 hours now and my duplex is getting pretty cold. Ive got no heat, no electricity, only gas, which allows me to still have hot showers as the hot water heater works only on gas alone with a non-electrical thermostat.
Being the house is so cold, Ive tried to light the gas oven and that didn't work. I also tried to light the gas stove top and that DID work. I used an electric fire starter to light the stove top because the electric pilot light starter doesn't work due to the power outage. Over the last two days that the power has been out, ive been able to cook lunch and dinner on the stove top as long as i light it myself. Ive found nothing wrong with doing that and the stove stays lit just fine. The flame also looks normal like it should the whole time im cooking at any gas setting I want.
Well, I started to think, whats the difference in leaving the stove top on with the flame going or having a gas fireplace running ? Flame is flame and heat is heat so whats the difference ? is what i was thinking.. So I left the stove top flame on and I went to the hardware store. As long as its burning, whats the deal ?
Well I came home last night from the hardware store and my roommate was home.. and earlier this morning, he rips my ass for leaving the stove top on and leaving the house.. He claims that I could have blown the house up, or killed him and his girlfriend and he was really upset. He claimed that I could have killed them both by carbon monoxide poisoning. I apologized and told him im sorry. I also said I wont ever do it again for his sake to avoid further conflict but, Ive spent the whole day thinking about it and I cant see the severity of the issue any differently.
We have a gas water heater in the basement of this duplex with a flame the size of large dinner plate underneath it that stays lit and running on high for hours after we take long hot showers. And that's not dangerous or been a threat to him or us at all. Same thing, its just under a tank full of water rather than on top of a stove.
Growing up with my mom, we use to turn the stove on and the stove door cracked open all day long for heat. And that was a gas stove with a flame on the inside bottom of it too ! She also had a gas fireplace installed later and we have left that thing running all night before for heat and it hasn't been a threat or danger to use.. A lot of people all over the world use gas fireplaces. Ive heard a bunch of people talk about cracking the windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning ? Well why in the world would you crack a door or window when its 10 below outside and your purpose is to get heat anyways ? sounds stupid to me.
He even argued, well what if something would have fell on the stove or flame ? then the whole house would have burnt down.. And well, yeah that's true, but, there's nothing around the stove that could have ever "fell" on top of it anyway to even become ignited.
So Im not asking for opinions from Worried Willeys, Negative Nancies, or Safety Suzies. I simply want to know the facts.. Also... if carbon monoxide is produced from from the combustion of natural gas such as with a stove top, which i could understand. I would like to get an idea of how much.. Like.. if You leave two stove tops on and burning at medium strength for say an hour... Is that really going to do any harm ? or pose any threat ? People all around the world cook for longer and harder intervals than that on holidays and often a few times a week ! And gas fireplaces stay burning way longer than that as well. So is my roomate blowing this out of proportion ?
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ANSWER:
You shouldn't have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning unless you are in a tiny air-tight room. A detector is a good idea though. As far as blowing anything up ...... no. It aint gonna happen unless you fill the house with gas first and then light it. ....
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