Just had a plumber install a water heater because our old one would not keep up with usage. He replaced it with the same type heater (50gal AO smith) but wired it so that both elements would operate at the same time. Could he not have just wired the old heater the same way. It recovers very fast now and works great but seems like a waste of money to me. I am not a plumber so I am not sure of any codes. I just was expecting a different solution.
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How old was the old one? Do you have hard water? He might have done you a big favor by taking it out before it failed.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Sure hope the plumber "tweaked" the electrical service to the "super charged" water heater!!!!!
Locally most electric water heaters are run in #10 romex, which is plenty for a standard 4500 watt element......but two simultaneous elements equals 9000 watts, which would need a larger breaker and wire.
Be safe.....check it out!!.......................................Iron Helix
I was hoping that he somehow adjusted the t-stat so they both were energized at the same time, through normal circuits. Just running a jumper from one element to the other would be a problem.Do it right, or do it twice.
No matter how it could be accomplished....two elements, simultaneously would require a lot of watts. More than is normally wired for a standard water heater.
Call the plumber and ask specifically what he did. Ask specifically if both elements will cut-in simultaneosly. Ask specifically if he changed any wiring in the water heater...or if he only adjusted, replaced or modified the thermostats.
I do not wish to raise an alarm if nothing has been modified other than temperature settings on the thermostats......the answers to the questions will hopefully reveal how concerned about the situation we should be.
Be careful.....................Iron Helix