29 Gal 60K water heater

Tim Potter

Does anyone have any experience with the Rheem / Rudd / Richmond 29 gal Induced draft 60,000 btu Nat Gas water heaters?

https://cdn.globalimageserver.com/FetchDocument.aspx?ID=33A02F15-A60E-4D58-B2BC-5F3A4F08F43E

Claims to outperform a std 50 gal by 34% with a 61gph recovery @ 90* rise
Daughter has a 50 gal from 2001 in house she just purchased, It's atmospheric, & Its not convenient to run PVC for High efficiency WH.

Thanks,

Tim

Gilmorrie

For typical residential situations, the cost of natural gas fuel for even a garden-variety, atmospheric water heater is peanuts, unless you have a houseful of teenagers. I don't think you could economically justify replacing a heater that works with a more efficient unit. The payback period would be too long.

kcopp

If venting is an issue a Hybrid electric may be a good option.

https://www.statewaterheaters.com/products/residential/electric/proline/xe/heat-pump/

Tim Potter

Thanks, a new water is going in, the one thats there is the original to the house, & coming up on 20 years. The decision is: std 50 gal with 40k burner or 29 gal with 60k burner that claims to outperform the 50/40 combo. both have minor rebates from Xcel energy. not much difference in price either way.

kcopp

You cant power vent that into a standard chimney. Must go to the outside. Is the present chimney lined?

Tim Potter

Thanks KC, no brick chimney, its a 2000 era double wall b vent used to vent a 80% furnace & water heater. I thought it was a drop in for a 50 atmospheric according to this:
http://cdn.globalimageserver.com/FetchDocument.aspx?ID=8a10538c-ca79-452c-83d4-1ce565e25f9f

Did I read it wrong?

Tim