So you are that guy! Now I know where you live.I'm going to buy two extra water heaters now, and store them next to the old washing machine, refrigerator, and paint cans in my driveway.
I've lived in homes built from 1873 to 2010, and not one of those would have a problem installing available 2015 NAECA compliant units. In fact, the older homes I've lived in are the ones with the best options! Would some available units not fit in some of those homes? Definitely - but that was the case BEFORE the new regulations too. Have you read the regs? Have you looked up dimensions of compliant units? Have you measured your available space? I'm guessing you haven't, because when I first got wind of the news that's the first thing I did - and I found it was a non-issue. Ironically my current home (built in 2010) has the narrowest passage yet (22.5" attic ladder) and I have two 40 gallon Bradford White Defender heaters. They're 20" diameter by 59-3/8" tall, pre-2015 NAECA rule water heaters. A quick search on Lowe's and Home Depot finds newer, more efficient units that are identical in diameter, and with heights both taller and shorter than the units I currently have. There may be some cases where there MIGHT be a fit issue, but I can't jump on the fear bandwagon on this one. A simple measuring tape is all one needs to know for sure.
I replaced the 40 gal unit in my previous home. It was fun lugging the new one up the stairs, and lugging the old one down. Wasn't too bad I suppose, but certainly not as easy were it to be in the garage or a basement with 36 inch wide stairs. On the plus side though, you get to make use of the "free" attic heat to cut down on gas/elec. costs.
I heard an ad on the radio today from some plumbing place telling you to "buy a new one now while we can still sell you one that will fit!", and then they joked about becoming black market water heater dealers. Good job trying to capitalize on the situation.
It's not nit picky if I'm right!
Timely info since my heater is kinda old and yes, space is limited. TKS.
Does anyone have particular recommendation(s) for propane heaters?
Now if you go tankless or electric you open up other options. Electric will kill your light bill. Tankless can be great if you get a good gas one. I did just under 100 all electric Energy Star certified houses a few years back with tankless water heaters mounted on the wall in the utility rooms, the electric meter looked like a ceiling fan when the hot water was running, LOL. We had no option other than all electric and between inherent high costs of electric heat (compared to natural gas) and the water heaters the buyers got hosed on their bills. (Another area where internet minds will want to argue, they will read that electric heating is a lot more efficient that gas, but in the real world we all know it costs a lot more to operate.)
The issue with natural gas tankless is expense, but you can mount them in a lot of tighter places. I have mounted a few on exterior mounts on houses, they work great, lot of noise when running, got to have enhanced ventilation and exhaust when indoors, but on the whole pretty good. Their life cycle seems to be shorter though.
People who rely on the internet for all their information sometimes do not get the big picture, it is a common occurrence with the younger generation. They read it, then think that they know it all. Seems like we have a prime example here. Those that actually do these things on a semi regular basis know the difference.
*snip*
Ok, I am going to leave it here. You guys can go read and make your own decisions.
If it maintains hot water's temperature, then wouldn't it be a hot water heater?
(Assuming ours doesn't leak before then).
Water heater in the attic?????????????
That's my experience; I think it's a crazy idea to have a hot water heater in the attic.
I had one wear out and leak in an interior closet one time and basically flood the house.
I can't even visualize what kind of damage a hot water tank leak would do ABOVE the
ceiling! If I ever bought a house with a hot water tank in the attic, that's the FIRST
thing I'd pay to have relocated the garage! Just sayin'....
(for all you nit pickers, notice how I did not say 'Hot Water Heater', LOL)
How much difference is there in cost between conventional and tankless gas water heaters on new construction?