ddh
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| Joined: | Thu Jul 15th, 2010 |
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| Posts: | 5 |
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Does anyone have experience with the A O Smith high-efficiency gas heater called Effex?
I want to replace my 18-year-old gas heater that vents into the chimney with an Energy Star model that vents through the basement wall. At first I was looking for a 'Power Vent' model but then I saw (on your website) that a Direct Vent could be used if the distance to the wall is less than 4 ft, (the distance is 2 1/2 ft horizontally and about 2 ft vertically).
Ohio has a $100 rebate for Energy Star so I searched their list and found the Effex with an EF of 0.70 which says 'Atmospheric Vent' - but when I looked at their specifications it sounds as though it has a power assist: "an advanced
air intake blower delivers superior efficiency. Much like a turbocharger, the
blower distributes an optimum air-to-gas mixture pushing exhaust gases
through the highly restricted flue baffle." It also says "fan-assisted" but it doesn't mention needing an electric circuit
Energy Star is being increased to EF .67 as of 9/1/10, but the only models I can find with .67 are Power Vent or Power Direct Vent. I would rather not use electricity to vent it if I don't need to (just that much more to go wrong - besides, do they include the electricity when calculating EF, or only the gas?)
My current A O Smith 40 gal. heater never gave me a problem until last week when I went on vacation and lowered the thermostat. When I arrived at home the water was very hot. I normally keep it below Warm (I guess about 115) and use so little that I never run out (that's why it has lasted so long without my knowing anything about maintenance, says the plumber.) Reading all the problems people have had with new gas heaters makes me want to replace the thermostat on this one but the plumber doesn't recommend fixing it since it is so old. However, my other motive is to get rid of the chimney so I won't have to have it rebuilt (it is 115 years old, not lined or capped, and not used by anything but the water heater.)
Does anyone have comments on the Effex - or other ideas? I'm going to try limping along with my current heater until I decide (turning it so the main burner won't come on if I have to.) It will take me a week to use up all this hot water - tepid showers in summer, a few dishes don't amount to much. I've got a 39-year old Maytag washing machine - I average one load a week on cold water. I'm afraid they don't 'build them like they used to' - but at the same time I want to go for energy efficiency even if it won't pay back in my lifetime.
ddh
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