I've been looking up info for a new water heater and many say they are self- cleaning. Does anyone know if this feature is really necessary or is it just a marketing gimmick?
2006-07-21 09:52:50 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is indeed a new feature and very worthwhile to have it.
Too many times before, water heaters have been taken out of service simply because the sediment build-up inside of them has gotten to far out of hand. They clog up or rust themselves internally.
I would check to see if your new heater has this feature... if it doesn't I would definitely recommend it.
2006-07-21 09:57:13 · answer #1 · answered by J.D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also install and repair water heaters, for nearly 30 years. The self cleaning feature, if it indeed includes the longer fill tube that curves about half way around the bottom of the water tank, is not a gimmick and works quite well. However, for the fellow above who simply recommends draining the unit twice a year through the boiler drain that comes on most all new heaters, it's a fallacy. If you have any significant amount of calcium or lime in your water supply and wait six months to drain the heater if you don't have a self cleaning unit, the sediment will have collected and formed chunks in the bottom of the tank that won't be able to get through the small opening that is afforded by the original equipment valve. If for some reason you decide not to get a self cleaner, then at least have whoever installs the unit for you, replace the original valve with a 3/4" ball valve. It will be a full flow valve and will let chunks as big as your thumb out if your hose is big enough to carry them away. Then draining your heater twice a year is worth your time. I've had a 40 gal. electric self cleaner in my house for over 15 years and haven't even had to replace an element yet. You will need a small brass fitting in the end of the valve that will adapt from pipe threads to hose threads, available at most good hardware or plumbing supply houses.
2006-07-21 17:38:18 · answer #2 · answered by Corky R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a gimmick. The best solution is to hook a garden hose to the drain valve (that is why the valve is threaded for a hose) and flush the water heater till the water runs clear. Do this once or twice a year and the appliance will last much longer.
2006-07-21 17:13:54 · answer #3 · answered by mccauleyrd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on the inlet side of a water heater is a plastic tube called a dip tube
normally it is 30 to 48 inches long and it carries cold water to the bottom near the burner(gas) or element(electric) in these models it is recommended to flush the unit periodically by way of the boiler drain on the bottom being opened to let any debris wash out of the bottom of the tank....by flushing the tank you increase its life because debris can "eat a hole" in the bottom
self cleaners have a dip tube that is longer and curl around the bottom of the tank making the water swirl when you open a hot fixture ...this stirs the debris that forms more often and won't let it rest on the bottom of the tank it either floats around in the tank or comes out of the system though a fixture.
being a plumber and installing 100's of tanks i tend to see the self cleaners last 4 to 6 years longer mostly because hardly anyone flushes their tank
2006-07-21 17:07:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
WTF-have you ever cleaned your water heater?
2006-07-21 16:56:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋