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Ruud Monel Water Heater

Scscott9
Scscott9 Member Posts: 3
in Domestic Hot Water

I have a 40 gallon Ruud Monel Water Heater which has started leaking 2 days ago. Plumber advised it needs to be replaced and suggested Bradsford & White replacement. Before they remove and dispose, is there value in what I have? Should I retain?

Heater.JPG

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,136

    where is it leaking? unless it is a connection it is done. those have a gas valve that is questionable at best and i believe have the inlet and outlet tubes routed in such a way that you can't put a modern t& p valve on them.

    Scscott9
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,136

    The monel might have enough scrap value to be worth taking it to a scrap dealer.

  • Scscott9
    Scscott9 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 18

    I currently have a 40-gallon water heater that began leaking two days ago. A plumber assessed the situation and recommended replacing it with a Bradford White unit. Before proceeding with removal and disposal, I’d like to know if there’s any residual value in the existing unit. Is there any reason I should consider keeping it?

    Heater.JPG
  • Scscott9
    Scscott9 Member Posts: 3

    Best I can tell, the leak is coming from the back bottom. However, not 100% certain.

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,716
    edited September 19

    Changing it after all those years is a shame, but a necessity. Bradford white water heaters are terrific. It's time.

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,716

    It's time for a change.

    mattmia2
  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,951
    edited September 19

    Hi, I do like to keep old heaters going, but safety matters. The gas control and lack of a T&P are reason to consider a new tank. Also it looks like your heater isn't burning well. That tank is probably 50 or 60 years old, so has given good service. Add a second magnesium anode to your new tank, check those rods periodically and you can get fifty years from it. 😉

    Yours, Larry

    ps. I'll add that if the leak can be found, you could use this as a tempering tank to preheat the water going into your new tank.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,136
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1865363#Comment_1865363

    i think that design became obsolete by the late 50's, i think it is more like 70-75.

    Intplm.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,533
    edited September 19

    @Larry Weingarten

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,651
    edited September 19

    looks like some flame roll out from time to time? Time to move on for safety sake if nothing else.

    Do you have any scrap yards nearby, call for scrap prices. I suspect that tank has some sediment in the bottom. You may need to split it open and clean out to get the best scrap $$

    Here is what Al has to say.

    Screenshot 2025-09-18 at 7.39.46 PM.png
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,260
    edited September 19

    Back when we made equipment to last ….

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    Intplm.

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