Richmond Heat Trap Nipple Kit - RP20003 - Richmond Heat Trap Nipple Kit - RP20003

lime is probably clogging the outlet water lines

clogged heat trap located at nipple

http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html



Gene

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Replace heat trap nipples or inserts?
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#heat-trap
Factory Heat traps save $2-$9 per year but can cause noise, and you can make your own heat traps.
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html#heat-trap
Electric water heater is probably the only household appliance made today that can be maintained and repaired by homeowner to last almost indefinitely. Certainly no other water heater can last as long, even with maintenance.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-maintain-water-heater.html
Add a comment and say what you find

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Probably the factory-installed heat trap nipples are clogged.
Open following links.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html#trap
Noisy whistling and humming and low pressure are common problem with heat trap nipples and inserts from factory.
Replace heat-trap nipples with pex-lined nipples, or remove heat trap inserts with screwdriver or needle nose... careful not to break insert so it falls into tank ... which can then get lodged in hot water line elbow or under-sink shut off.
Factory-installed heat traps are part of overall strategy so manufactures can claim more efficient water heaters, without requiring customers to any thinking.
Other strategies include foam insulation instead of fiberglass (so that wires cannot be replaced on electric units), reducing factory-set temperature from previous 130-135 to 100-120, and re-estimating downward the hot water use for average family.
So some of the strategies are useful, while others problematic or imaginary.
Call manufacturer to pay-for or provide new pex-line nipples. Warranty for fist year covers Labor and parts, and after 1st year, warranty covers parts
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-manufacturers.html
Save $10 a month in future replacement costs: maintain water heater so it lasts longer:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-maintain-water-heater.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Factory-installed heat traps can cause this problem:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html#trap
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html#heat-trap

Remove heat traps, or heat trap inserts, or heat trap nipples.
Make your own heat traps, and save 4-9$ per year, using flex copper connections, or reconnect pipes in heat-trap configuration.
Always insulate pipes.
With electric heater, pipe insulation can run all the way to tank.
With atmospheric-vent gas water heater, the pipe insulation cannot obstruct air intake at draft hood. With power vent gas, the pipe insulation can run all the way to tank.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

1) I believe you can immediately elbow the PVC pipe.
There is a limit for how many elbows can be used between blower and termination, and limit is determined by diameter of PVC pipe.

2) Copy following link for venting resources and typical Rheem and Richmond power vent manuals, and diameter-elbow pdf from Bradford White.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#venting

3) Richmond is Rheem. Product manual will show specifications for venting.
Product warranty is voided if installation does not follow specifications shown in manual.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Don't install heat trap nipples if house has pressure issues, or pipes get clogged with hard water.
Heat traps will clog, and whistle, hum, buzz, and reduce household pressure.
Make your own heat traps by configuring pipes differently.
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html#heat-trap
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html#trap

Buy regular di-electric nipples at local box store plumbing department instead of heat trap nipples.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/IMG_1879-di-electric-nipple-300.jpg

If you go ahead and install the heat-trap nipples, look inside the nipple.
Look past the plastic bar that divides down middle.
Notice that one end has insert inside the pipe. While other end does not have insert.
End with insert goes into water heater first.

Notice also if you blow into the heat trap nipple that air flow is constricted.
If air flow is constricted, then water will also be constricted.
This is why heat trap nipples are not recommended.

Why do they have heat trap nipples??
So manufacturers can report higher EF energy efficiency rating for product.

Do heat traps save money. Yes, but make your own by reconfiguring pipes. Save $9.20 per year electric heater, $4.00 per year gas heater.
You can save more money by maintaining water heater, which pays about 10$ per month in future replacement costs.
Or fix leaks, and install dual-handle faucets so lifting single handle faucet in middle does not continually run cold water into tank. This saves $2-$8 per month.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

There are two types magnesium anode.
1) Hex-head that screws into separate port on top of tank, and comes either 44" long or 12" sausage links.
2) Combo-anode that connects to Hot water nipple, and comes in solid or combo.

Contact guys at following link to purchase anodes
http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/WHRpages/English/OrderPages/XCart/sales-through-XCart.html

General instructions and types of anodes
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

Rheem 'preferred parts'
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/2011_Rheem-anode-rods.pdf
Purpose of resistorized anode is supposedly so magnesium performs as well as aluminum.
Rheem however had 'resistorized elements' years ago, and that turned out to be promotional gimmick so people would buy rheem-brand products.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You are installing a combo anode rod that replaces hot water outlet nipple. This means you will have 2 anode rods, which doubles the anode capacity of tank, which can cause extended life of water heater, assuming that both anodes are inspected each 2-5 years.

Sounds like a heat trap insert is in the way.
Look at parts sheet that comes with product manual.
Pull insert out since it will cause clogs.
Same insert is on cold side nipple.

I want you to contact the Tank forum since they are anode experts:
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/
Tank will recommend magnesium anode and not aluminum.

My understanding is that Rheem water heaters are made so only Rheem brand anodes fit their tanks. While other companies use generic anodes that are sold at any plumbing supply, and also sold at Tank website.

You can configure pipes to make heat traps that save save $2-4 per year on gas water heater operation.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Heat-trap-install-900.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-maintain-water-heater.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

1) Rheem power vent series:
http://www.rheem.com/product.aspx?id=C24E3F52-A6A4-4BC7-AF5B-0DF23A7A0263

2) Looking at product over-view manual: It says 'inlet connects directly to a dip tube which directs water to bottom of the tank.'
So it appears that dip tub is connected to heat trap nipple on cold water side

3) Sample manual for Rheem shows exploded parts list
http://globalimageserver.com/fetchDocument.aspx?id=a92c7d0e-8a95-48ba-8810-cd714f33d47a
The exploded view shows cold water nipple separate from dip tube, and shows dip tube gasket, and makes it unclear

4) Manual shows Rheem phone number:
1-800-432-8373

5) You can also post specific questions like this on pro water heater forum: http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project. As general rule, expert will not answer unless they know specific answer, to avoid dissatisfied customer.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.