Rheem Marathon Water Heater

[jrref]

Has anyone replaced their electric hot water heater with a Rheem Marathon? If so, who installed it?

This water heater is an efficient non-metalic electric tank hot water heater. The reason why i'm interested in this specific heater is that it does not need an sacrificial anode rod like conventional metal heaters need to slow corrosion. The benefit is your hot water will not have that rotten egg smell from the magnesium anode rod deteriating from hard water like we have here in the Villages.

I've looked at tankless water heaters but Rheem makes a 40 and a 50 gallon "small" Marathon that is roughly the same size as the Rheem heater installed with the house if yours is located in the garage and should be simple to install.

When i called one of the popular plumbing companies they weren't familiar with this specific unit but would get back to me after doing some research.

Any feedback and or thoughs would be appreciated.

[retiredguy123]

I have never experienced the rotten egg smell with any water heater I have owned. Some people on other threads have commented that, when they removed an old anode, it looked like new. I would just buy a regular water heater, and save the money.

[biker1]

I had one in a previous home. They install just like ordinary electric hot water heaters. If you have the room, they are a good choice as they will last a very long time.


Has anyone replaced their electric hot water heater with a Rheem Marathon? If so, who installed it?

This water heater is an efficient non-metalic electric tank hot water heater. The reason why i'm interested in this specific heater is that it does not need an sacrificial anode rod like conventional metal heaters need to slow corrosion. The benefit is your hot water will not have that rotten egg smell from the magnesium anode rod deteriating from hard water like we have here in the Villages.

I've looked at tankless water heaters but Rheem makes a 40 and a 50 gallon "small" Marathon that is roughly the same size as the Rheem heater installed with the house if yours is located in the garage and should be simple to install.

When i called one of the popular plumbing companies they weren't familiar with this specific unit but would get back to me after doing some research.

Any feedback and or thoughs would be appreciated.

[DAVES]

Has anyone replaced their electric hot water heater with a Rheem Marathon? If so, who installed it?

This water heater is an efficient non-metalic electric tank hot water heater. The reason why i'm interested in this specific heater is that it does not need an sacrificial anode rod like conventional metal heaters need to slow corrosion. The benefit is your hot water will not have that rotten egg smell from the magnesium anode rod deteriating from hard water like we have here in the Villages.

I've looked at tankless water heaters but Rheem makes a 40 and a 50 gallon "small" Marathon that is roughly the same size as the Rheem heater installed with the house if yours is located in the garage and should be simple to install.

When i called one of the popular plumbing companies they weren't familiar with this specific unit but would get back to me after doing some research.

Any feedback and or thoughs would be appreciated.

Truth, I'm no expert but I just looked. Home depo sells them so I expect they have people to install it for you. The ad shows the smallest is 75 gallons and they are electric. Our three bedroom home has a 50 gal electric hot water heater supplied by the builder and we do not run out of hot water. It is ten years old. As far as the anode, i bet few, INCLUDING ME, follow the instructions as far as draining it, checking the anode etc.

As far as rotten egg smell, I have a nose like a dog and I don't smell it. I would guess it is sulfur in your water. Are you on public water or a well? I don't think the anode is the cause. As far a magnesium anode. I'm not sure your have a magnesium anode they were, are sold as an up grade. I think they are usually aluminum. Far less expensive to replace the anode, if that is the problem, with a different material. In terms of a plastic tank, the heating rods are still metal and will be subject to attack-electrolysis.

As far as draining the tank, it is debatable. We have scale etc that settles to the bottom of the tank. When you open the valve stuff can lodge in the valve and it will leak.

[retiredguy123]

Truth, I'm no expert but I just looked. Home depo sells them so I expect they have people to install it for you. The ad shows the smallest is 75 gallons and they are electric. Our three bedroom home has a 50 gal electric hot water heater supplied by the builder and we do not run out of hot water. It is ten years old. As far as the anode, i bet few, INCLUDING ME, follow the instructions as far as draining it, checking the anode etc.

As far as rotten egg smell, I have a nose like a dog and I don't smell it. I would guess it is sulfur in your water. Are you on public water or a well? I don't think the anode is the cause. As far a magnesium anode. I'm not sure your have a magnesium anode they were, are sold as an up grade. I think they are usually aluminum. Far less expensive to replace the anode, if that is the problem, with a different material. In terms of a plastic tank, the heating rods are still metal and will be subject to attack-electrolysis.

As far as draining the tank, it is debatable. We have scale etc that settles to the bottom of the tank. When you open the valve stuff can lodge in the valve and it will leak.
I would just point out that the Rheem manual doesn't even recommend draining the water heater, or checking the anode as maintenance procedures.

[biker1]

They make a variety of sizes starting at 30 gallons.


Truth, I'm no expert but I just looked. Home depo sells them so I expect they have people to install it for you. The ad shows the smallest is 75 gallons and they are electric. Our three bedroom home has a 50 gal electric hot water heater supplied by the builder and we do not run out of hot water. It is ten years old. As far as the anode, i bet few, INCLUDING ME, follow the instructions as far as draining it, checking the anode etc.

As far as rotten egg smell, I have a nose like a dog and I don't smell it. I would guess it is sulfur in your water. Are you on public water or a well? I don't think the anode is the cause. As far a magnesium anode. I'm not sure your have a magnesium anode they were, are sold as an up grade. I think they are usually aluminum. Far less expensive to replace the anode, if that is the problem, with a different material. In terms of a plastic tank, the heating rods are still metal and will be subject to attack-electrolysis.

As far as draining the tank, it is debatable. We have scale etc that settles to the bottom of the tank. When you open the valve stuff can lodge in the valve and it will leak.

[bark4me]

I would suggest getting a water softener system then replacing your tank with a tankless hot water heater. You have endless hot water not to mention you'll save money on your electric bill. I noticed a savings right away.

[gwenhwalker@yahoo.com]

Had a gas powered Rheem in Virginia Beach and loved it. Instant hot water and no smell

[jrref]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes Home Depot sells them in all sizes and they also sell the replacement elements as well. But has anyone used any of the local plumbers? I was really surprised that my local plumber wasn't aware of this heater. My guess is that most people just replace their heater with the same standard unit. Either way the connection is standard just the Marathon is about 7 inches wider but i have space for it just don't have anymore height above 48 inches that the existing unit takes up.

As far as the anode rod, i undestand you can change it but it's not an easy job for the DIY'er and i don't have the height to pull the old rod out unless its totally gone and i would need a segmented rod to put back in. With the Marathon i would just need to change the heating elements and that's pretty easy.

My thoughts on the Marathon besides the anode rod is it's 2x the cost of a conventional heater but the tank will probably last several times more than the conventional heater and no need to do anything but drain it once a year. It's also like a big thermos bottle with foam insulation so over time it will probably be a little cheaper to run.

[Catalina36]

Electric Hot Water Heater, Yikes
I take it you don’t have natural gas to your house. I thought all of the Villages homes have natural gas????

[HJBeck]

I have never experienced the rotten egg smell with any water heater I have owned. Some people on other threads have commented that, when they removed an old anode, it looked like new. I would just buy a regular water heater, and save the money.

Ive replaced 5 water heaters (elecT) myself over 45 years of home ownership, and there seems to be reduced quality for most brands that I have bought. Warranties seem to get reduced every decade. Try to get one with a warranty greater then 10 years like they use to be., good luck. The last Reheem I bought needed the lower heating element replaced after 3 years. Maybe its better in Florida where the water is generally basic and not acidic as the water in MD is. Be careful if you are thinking of putting a water heater anywhere inside your house, versus the garage incase of leaks. These are important homeowner decisions. Don't have to replace all your flooring because of a kitchen or bathroom leak.

[jrref]

Yes, no gas. Most of the heaters here in the Villages in the designer homes are in the garage. I have a water sensor connected to my smart home system and an automated water shutoff valve so i'm covered in case of a leak. Also, I have a drain from the pan to the outside of my house at the water heater in case of leaks. Not sure how well it would work but at least it's something.

[retiredguy123]

Yes, no gas. Most of the heaters here in the Villages in the designer homes are in the garage. I have a water sensor connected to my smart home system and an automated water shutoff valve so i'm covered in case of a leak. Also, I have a drain from the pan to the outside of my house at the water heater in case of leaks. Not sure how well it would work but at least it's something.
You can buy about 6 or 7 battery operated water alarms from Amazon, and place them under toilets, sinks, water heater, refrigerator, washer, etc. It is not as good as a water sensor with shutoff, but it is an inexpensive way to notify you when there is water on the floor. Peace of mind, for about $100.

[djlnc]

Has anyone replaced their electric hot water heater with a Rheem Marathon? If so, who installed it?

This water heater is an efficient non-metalic electric tank hot water heater. The reason why i'm interested in this specific heater is that it does not need an sacrificial anode rod like conventional metal heaters need to slow corrosion. The benefit is your hot water will not have that rotten egg smell from the magnesium anode rod deteriating from hard water like we have here in the Villages.

I've looked at tankless water heaters but Rheem makes a 40 and a 50 gallon "small" Marathon that is roughly the same size as the Rheem heater installed with the house if yours is located in the garage and should be simple to install.

When i called one of the popular plumbing companies they weren't familiar with this specific unit but would get back to me after doing some research.

Any feedback and or thoughs would be appreciated.

We had a 50 gallon Marathon installed when our NC house was built 10 years ago. No maintenance, no problems.

[EdFNJ]

Electric Hot Water Heater, Yikes
I take it you don’t have natural gas to your house. I thought all of the Villages homes have natural gas???? From what I understand, there are many more homes in T.V. WITHOUT GAS SERVICE than there is with gas service. There seem to be "pockets" or areas with gas service but they are in the minority. I wish ours was but sadly it's not.

[MandoMan]

This is the one I plan to use when I replace mine. It’s expensive, but Fine Homebuilding has rated them excellent. It’s a heat pump water heater. It pulls warm air out of your garage, puts some of that into the water, and blows out cooler air. Your garage is already too hot in the summer, so that seems like a good idea. This one is available at Home Depot, but plenty of plumbers handle them.

[mpalazzola]

This is the one I plan to use when I replace mine. It’s expensive, but Fine Homebuilding has rated them excellent. It’s a heat pump water heater. It pulls warm air out of your garage, puts some of that into the water, and blows out cooler air. Your garage is already too hot in the summer, so that seems like a good idea. This one is available at Home Depot, but plenty of plumbers handle them.

YES, my next water heater will be a heat pump. 1/4 of the energy use, plus cool air output into my hot garage!

[jrref]

YES, my next water heater will be a heat pump. 1/4 of the energy use, plus cool air output into my hot garage!

I would like to get one of these as well but most of the tank installs in garages in the Villages don't have the height for that unit.

[jrref]

Where do you plan on installing this? Do you have the height? I live in a designer home and most have the water heater in the garage. The problem is there is a fixed tank height of probably 48ish inches and a width of aroung 22 inches. So unless you plan to modify that space the options of what you can install are pretty limited. But i agree, this unit would cool the garage somewhat.

[tc1963]

Has anyone replaced their electric hot water heater with a Rheem Marathon? If so, who installed it?

This water heater is an efficient non-metalic electric tank hot water heater. The reason why i'm interested in this specific heater is that it does not need an sacrificial anode rod like conventional metal heaters need to slow corrosion. The benefit is your hot water will not have that rotten egg smell from the magnesium anode rod deteriating from hard water like we have here in the Villages.

I've looked at tankless water heaters but Rheem makes a 40 and a 50 gallon "small" Marathon that is roughly the same size as the Rheem heater installed with the house if yours is located in the garage and should be simple to install. No smell also.

When i called one of the popular plumbing companies they weren't familiar with this specific unit but would get back to me after doing some research.

Any feedback and or thoughs would be appreciated.

If you have gas, consider going tankless outside the house. No worries about leaking/rupturing while on vacation resulting in flooding the garage and potential mold issues. Also frees up room in the garage. Hot water response time is about the same as tank in garage. Installed top of the line Rinnai last year on exterior of garage wall. Love it! When it is time to clean & refill our hot tub the Rinnai does so with no problem! Gas bill much lower and continuous hot water. No smell.

[bark4me]

Electric tankless are really good. We noticed an immediate savings in our electric bill

[bark4me]

Go tankless. I will never own a home again without a tankless water system. And do yourself a favor and get a water softener system installed too. Water in Florida has way too much calcium.

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, both the Marathon water heater and the heat pump water heater are bad ideas. Very few houses have these expensive water heaters. I would just replace your water heater with the inexpensive standard type that requires no maintenance, and will provide reliable hot water for 12 years or so. One major consideration is that, when you get in the shower and you have no hot water, what are you going to do? If you have the standard type water heater, you can call almost any plumber, and they will come to your house and install a new water heater the same day. Try calling a plumber and telling them that your heat pump water heater is not working. How long are you willing to wait without hot water while trying to find a plumber who can get the repair parts for an expensive water heater.

[tc1963]

In my opinion, both the Marathon water heater and the heat pump water heater are bad ideas. Very few houses have these expensive water heaters. I would just replace your water heater with the inexpensive standard type that requires no maintenance, and will provide reliable hot water for 12 years or so. One major consideration is that, when you get in the shower and you have no hot water, what are you going to do? If you have the standard type water heater, you can call almost any plumber, and they will come to your house and install a new water heater the same day. Try calling a plumber and telling them that your heat pump water heater is not working. How long are you willing to wait without hot water while trying to find a plumber who can get the repair parts for an expensive water heater.
I know this response will be a little lengthy but PLEASE read! TANKLESS OUTSIDE THE HOUSE. Eliminates future worries about rupture/leaks inside garage creating potential mold/mildew issues that are extremely expensive to remediate properly by certified mold specialists which you would be legally required to disclose when/if you sell. We are about to sue the seller of our house for this exact issue, and have photo proof from their ServPro estimate they left behind in the house after closing. Lied completely on Sellers Disclosure about hot water heater blowing up while on vacation, along with other issues! Hid the damages with Kilz and new drywall to save $400 from ServPro estimate. ServPro estimate stated concern that the mold issue penetrated thru to the Master bathroom wall. Guess what?

Damage discovered on renovation of house beginning 12 days after closing. Mold encrusted HVAC system to 3 feet up into the fresh air return. Had to be replaced. Yes we had a Home Buyers inspection done. They can not see behind Kilz, or cabinets, or up inside the fresh air return. They turn on the ac/heat check the temp. = system ok. TOTAL BILLS ARE EXCEEDING 25K. Tankless only uses energy when actively in use. You are not heating 40-50-75 gallons all the time. Get rid of the tank! Your wallet will be heavier not lighter!!! Forward thinking if you were to sell the above issue would be mute for you with outside Tankless. The only thing to get watered would be your grass. PIPES are a different issue.

[jrref]

I agree, tankless outside is best but you need gas. Many of the homes north of 44 only have electric and although there are electric tankless heaters you need to upgrade the electric line since the existing 30Amp line is not large enough and i don't think they are made to be installed outside.

That said, Rheem does sell a unit that has a built in water detection and shutoff system called Gladiator. It's only a little more expensive than the regular tank unit but solves the water leak problem And lets you control the temperature of the water on a schedule and has diagnostics to let you know what's wrong or which heating element failed for example. This unit is the same size as the one i have now and i think i'm going to just get this one.

I discovered after more measuring, that the Marathon is 28 inches wide and we only have 22 1/2 so it's not going to work without some major modification to the HVAC door in the garage.

The story you mentioned about the hot water tank leak and the owners covering it up is very disturbing because it's very hard to tell unless there is something noticable for the home inspector to see. There is no way to open the walls and look for mold for example. Even if they checked with a moisture detector the wall is probably dry but still has mold, etc... I believe you can sue the original owner for not disclosing the problem according to the wording in the contract, but it's only up to a certain amount. I would pursue this if i were you. It also troubles me that they didn't use their insurance to cover the costs since this is definetly covered in "normal" homeowners insurance.

[frose]

2 water lines and 1 electrical connection.. takes longer to drain the old one that to install the new one.