Best Water Heater for Very Hard Well Water?

[inspectordan]

We are replacing our electric resistance water heaters on average every 3 or 4 years. Rheem Marathon? Heat Pump Water Heater? ....gas isn't an option since we're talking 55 units and venting and makeup air in these 3 story buildings would be a nightmare. TIA.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Google stainless steel water heater

 

[GReynolds929]

Are they being replaced cause they start leaking, or due to excessive scale buildup. If water is that hard you should have a water softener and treatment system. Do the water heaters get flushed regularly to help remove scale buildup.

 

[inspectordan]

Are they being replaced cause they start leaking, or due to excessive scale buildup. If water is that hard you should have a water softener and treatment system. Do the water heaters get flushed regularly to help remove scale buildup.

I inspected the property for the buyer who has it under contract. It looks like they're corroding and since Google tells me that the well water for this municipality is 22-23 grains then I have to assume it's also gobbing up the heating elements. There is a softening system in place but it doesn't look big enough for the number of units and the system does not appear to be properly maintained.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Here is what you asked for.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariston...VUUFBAh0nBAR-EAQYASABEgIhFfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Here is what you asked for.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariston...VUUFBAh0nBAR-EAQYASABEgIhFfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Unlikely to leak, but will the heating elements last any longer?

 

[inspectordan]

Unlikely to leak, but will the heating elements last any longer?

"Titanium elements with low watt density, longer element life' according to the product literature. At least this type of water heater (with it's 'lifetime' stainless steel tank) will be worth the time and effort it takes to drain the unit, replace the elements, and check/replace the anode rod. Right?

 

[inspectordan]

Here is what you asked for.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariston...VUUFBAh0nBAR-EAQYASABEgIhFfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks. Do you think the Ariston with SS tank would be preferable to the Rheem with it's non-metallic tank?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-M...ater-with-Lifetime-Warranty-MR40245/205931673

 

[Twowaxhack]

"Titanium elements with low watt density, longer element life' according to the product literature. At least this type of water heater (with it's 'lifetime' stainless steel tank) will be worth the time and effort it takes to drain the unit, replace the elements, and check/replace the anode rod. Right?

It doesn’t have an anode rod.

The elements will last just as long as any other element IMO.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Thanks. Do you think the Ariston with SS tank would be preferable to the Rheem with it's non-metallic tank?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-M...ater-with-Lifetime-Warranty-MR40245/205931673

I’d buy the stainless heater before I bought the Rheem. The parts on the Rheem are special.

 

[Ludington]

The reviews on the stainless one arnt to good, especially if something goes wrong.

 

[Aggie83]

I inspected the property for the buyer who has it under contract. It looks like they're corroding and since Google tells me that the well water for this municipality is 22-23 grains then I have to assume it's also gobbing up the heating elements. There is a softening system in place but it doesn't look big enough for the number of units and the system does not appear to be properly maintained.

Water test? Do you have detailed info on what is in the 'hardness' of the water? I would solve the long-term problem first. I live on well water that is in that range with super high calcium.... just six weeks after moving in my house (before we had the softener installed) resulted in massive accumulation in fixtures and pipes. Proper water softener solved it.

 

[Twowaxhack]

The reviews on the stainless one arnt to good, especially if something goes wrong.

That makes sense because most people don’t leave a review if they’re happy. I never leave good review…..only bad. Every brand has trouble just like every car dealership has a service department.

 

[Ludington]

That makes sense because most people don’t leave a review if they’re happy. I never leave good review…..only bad. Every brand has trouble just like every car dealership has a service department.

I must be the odd duck out... I make it a point to leave a good review. Everyone complains, I'll do both, if you short me on my change , I'm going to tell you, if you give me to much, I'm going to give it back. I check my receipts for mistakes both bad and good and get them corrected.
But maybe then , that's the heater for me. I don't want copper elements, and this seems to be standard with titanium.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I don't want copper elements, and this seems to be standard with titanium.

I’m not aware of any water heater or elements made from titanium. The water heaters I’ve installed can use any standard element/thermostat from the hardware store.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

I’m not aware of any water heater or elements made from titanium. The water heaters I’ve installed can use any standard element/thermostat from the hardware store.

Westinghouse and Rheem brands water heater elements that are "titanium" as they claim. Commonly available.
I suspect that the shell that's immersed in water is titanium, but the actual resistive heating element inside the shell is made of whatever they make water heater elements out of. Nichrome? Kanthal? Who knows.

Seems to be a bit overkill. Stainless steel ones (gee, they match the stainless steel tank!) seem to have a replacement cost of maybe $25? The titaniums are about $80.

Never owned an electric water heater (and never hope to) but I'd guess that the resistive heating element inside the stainless steel, titanium, or whatever case is just as or more likely to fail than the outer case itself. But that's just a guess.

What say you, pros? When you pull out failed heating elements, is the outer case compromised?

FWIW, titanium is a costly material, and a bear to work with. Difficult to form or machine. A single M8x25mm bolt for a bicycle made of titanium runs around $7 each compared to pennies for steel.