natural gas/propane water heater
#1
10-20-17, 09:53 AM
natural gas/propane water heater
I'm looking at a new Rheem water heater to replace my old Rheem (which lasted 20 years).
Home Depot has the one I want, but the guy there says it won't run on propane and I'm S.O.L.
I find that hard to believe. The one in my house runs on propane. Is there a conversion kit available that he doen't know about?
Home Depot has the one I want, but the guy there says it won't run on propane and I'm S.O.L.
I find that hard to believe. The one in my house runs on propane. Is there a conversion kit available that he doen't know about?
#2
10-20-17, 10:58 AM
Group Moderator
The big box retailers usually stock them already configured for natural gas or propane. You just need to buy the propane powered version.
#3
10-21-17, 06:33 AM
Member
Tried contacting Rheems direct with the model # your interested in and asking them?
In most cases I would not be asking a home store employee tech questions
In most cases I would not be asking a home store employee tech questions
#4
10-21-17, 11:36 AM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
Posts: 16,321
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Some years back I read that manufacturers were no longer making propane/natural gas conversion kits for water heaters. Now you have to buy the heater for the specific fuel. There was a reason given but I don't remember why. One thing I have noticed is that propane fired heaters have cast iron burners whereas natural gas fired heaters have steel burners.
Do a Google using natural gas to propane conversion for water heater as the search terms for some interesting reading.
Do a Google using natural gas to propane conversion for water heater as the search terms for some interesting reading.
#5
10-21-17, 03:54 PM
I contacted Rheem through their Customer Service tab on the website. No reply yet. (imagine that...)
#6
10-24-17, 04:48 AM
Update:
After I gave Rheem the model number I was looking at, they provided me with the model number of the equivalent unit set up for propane. And I ordered that model from Home Depot. It's $79 dollars more, but if it gives me 20 years of service like the old one, I have no reason to complain.
After I gave Rheem the model number I was looking at, they provided me with the model number of the equivalent unit set up for propane. And I ordered that model from Home Depot. It's $79 dollars more, but if it gives me 20 years of service like the old one, I have no reason to complain.
#7
10-29-17, 11:05 AM
Member
So.......why didn't the Home Depot guy tell you that??? This is not rocket science. I had no problem finding the propane water heaters on Home Depot's site.
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing...s/N-5yc1vZc9wd
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing...s/N-5yc1vZc9wd
