Rheem Professional Series Vrs Performance Series

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HomeProPlumber 

This article details the differences between Rheem’s Professional & Performance Series Water Heaters.  HomeProPlumber provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. We sell & install Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  We are near your home in Plano, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel-charges. HomeProPlumber in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Call us today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service

 

Water heaters sell at different prices.  In order to achieve different prices, water heaters are made to “Good” “Better” “Best” quality levels. Lower priced water heaters are built to lower specifications and have fewer features than more expensive ones.

electric water heater

Image Source: ShutterStock

 

Rheem Water Heaters

Professional Series Versus Performance Series (big box store)

Professional™ Series Water Heaters Are Available Exclusively Through Rheem Contractors

We Sell & Install Only Rheem Professional Series Water Heaters

 

Home Pro Plumber Sells Only Best Quality-Level Products.   

You Can’t Get Rheem’s Professional Series Water Heaters At A Big Box Store.  They Sell Only Rheem’s Performance Series.

Here Is A Link To The:  Rheem Performance Series Water Heater Brochure

Here Is A Link To The: Rheem Professional Series Water Heater Brochure

 

 Rheem’s Professional Series Includes These Additional Features

1. EverKleen™ Self Cleaning System

Rheem’s EverKleen™ System channels water through an inlet-tube that creates a High-Velocity Spiraling Water Stream. The spiraling water reduces lime & sediment build-up in the water heater’s tank.

sediment build up inside water heater

Image Source: ShutterStock

Shown: Sediment Build Up Inside Water Heater

Tap water includes mineral particles.  The most common particles found in water are calcium carbonate (lime) and magnesium carbonate (magnesium salt).   Highly pure concentrated Magnesium Carbonate is a common antacid.  In water, visible white particles are often lime.  As water flows over limestone, it dissolves a tiny amount of the limestone into the water.  The dissolved lime will mostly stay suspended as long as the water is moving.  When water stops moving, the lime settles.

Settled Minerals & Other Particles End Up At The Bottom Of The Water-Tank

As they settle, mineral particles in the water settle form a layer on the bottom of the water-tank.  Due to the build-up, a gas water heater loses efficiency because it must now heat the sediment build-up before it can heat the water.  The sediment also causes the water-tank’s bottom to heat unevenly. Sediment build-up causes premature failure of water heater tanks.  

Click Here To See A Photo Of Extreme Sediment Build Up In A Water Heater:  Sediment Build Up Inside A Water Heater

As sediment build-up becomes thicker over time, it causes a gas water heater to heat longer, and causes the bottom of the water tank to become hotter than it’s designed to be.  These two factors create excessive wear on a gas water heater’s tank.  The Water tank expands when heating and contract once heating stops.  When (due to sediment build up) the water heater runs hotter & longer the tank will crack sooner.  Once a water heater’s tank cracks, it starts leaking and the water heater must be replaced.   

water heater draining

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Shown: Connecting Hose To Water Heater In Preparation To Flush It

Water heaters need to be flushed annually to prevent sediment build-up (from when they are new).  This is why most water heater warranties require proof of annual water heater flushes.Because water heaters are typically out of sight, this important annual maintenance task is often not done.  The more sediment builds up in a water heater, the faster the steel water-tank will fail and start leaking.

 

One Sign Of Excessive Sediment Build-Up In A Gas Water Heater Is A “Popping Or RumblingSound 

While The Water Heater Is Heating

Click To Hear The Sound:  Hear A Popping Water Heater

  • That’s the sound of steam bubbles percolating up through the sediment.
  • On a gas water heater’s water-tank, sediment build-up creates “Hot-Spots”.
  • A Hot-Spot is an area of tightly focused temperature variation on the water tank’s bottom.
  • Sediment does not build up evenly.  There will be more sediment near the water-inlet pipe (where new water enters the water heater).
  • In an electric water heater, Sediment Build-Up Can Reach Or Cover The Lower Heating Element.  This will likely cause it to fail.

 

2. Rheemglas® Water-Tank Lining

Click Here To See A Product Brochure For Rheem Professional Series Water Heater:  Rheem Professional Series Water Heater Features Sheet

Rheem’s Professional Series Water Heaters Include The (thicker) Rheemglas® Water-Tank Lining

This Thicker Lining Resists Corrosion Longer and Prolongs Water-Tank Life

Inside water heaters, the steel water-tank is protected by a Glass (Porcelain-Enamel) Lining.  This liner provides a longer life by keeping the corrosive-elements in water away from the steel water-tank.  During the manufacturing process, Porcelain Enamel is sprayed on the inner surfaces of the steel water-tank.  After the tanks are sprayed, they are heated to very high temperatures (1500 — 1600 degrees F.)

Over time, the porcelain liner fails on all water heater tanks.  When the porcelain liner fails, water gets to the steel water tank and starts corroding it.  Eventually, the steel water-tank will corrode all the way through and start leaking.  The thicker the Porcelain Enamel / Glass lining is applied, the longer the liner, water-tank & water heater will last.

 

3. ANODE RODS

Click To See A New And A Worn Out Water Heater Anode Rod: New & Worn Out Water Heater Anode Rod

The Anode Rod(s) is made are made of magnesium or aluminum.  These metals corroded more easily than the steel water tank.  This allows the anode rod to attract the corrosive properties of tap water, keeping them away from the steel water-tank.   As long as an Anode Rod is present (they wear away over time)  it provides increased protection for the steel water-tank.   Anode Rods wear out.  Once they do, the corrosive-elements in water will now corrode the steel water-tank.  Most water heaters can have the Anode Rod replaced.

Better Water Heaters Typically Have The Option To Install A 2nd Anode Rod

2 Anode Rods provide roughly double the period of time the Anode Rods can protect the water heater.  Rheem’s Professional Series offers the option for a second anode rod.

Note: Replacing a worn out Anode Rod will extend the life of the water heater.  As long as the Anode Rod has enough metal remaining, it attracts the corrosive-elements in water away from the steel water-tank. Replacing the rod will provide continued protection for the steel water-tank, making it last longer.

Note: Replacing an Anode Rod is not a DIY project for most people.  Call a plumber to do it.  The Anode Rod was installed very tight, and removing it incorrectly can damage the water heater, and / or shift the water heater enough to damage the pipes connecting the water heater to the house. You can find many “How To” Videos showing how to change an Anode Rod.  We do not furnish links to these videos because of the problem problems stated above.  

 

4. Additional Upgrades Included With Rheem’s Professional Series:

This link details the Performance Series Electric Water Heater.  Rheem Performance Series Electric Water Heater Brochure

This link details the Professional Series Electric Water Heater.  Rheem Professional Series Electric Water Heater Brochure

1. Gas Valve:

  • Performance Series have a Honeywell gas control within a plastic case.
  • Professional Series have a RobertShaw gas control within a metal case.

2. Professional Series Brass Drain Valve (versus plastic)

  • Performance Series have a plastic drain valve.
  • Professional Series have a brass metal drain valve.

corroded and new electric water heater heating elements

Image Source: ShutterStock

Shown:  Corroded Electric Water Heater Heating Element (left) And New (copper) Heating Element (right)

 

3. Professional Series Stainless Steel Lower Heating Element (Electric Water Heaters):

  • Performance Series electric water heaters have two copper heating elements.
  • Professional Series have Lifeguard™ Resistored, Stainless-Steel (lower) element to prolong both anode rod and water-tank life (upper element is copper).
  • Stainless Steel – Premium corrosion protection for long element life.
  • Resistored helps protect the element by slowing down corrosion.

home pro plumber logo

HomeProPlumber 

This article detailed the differences between Rheem’s Professional & Performance Series Water Heaters.  HomeProPlumber provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. We sell & install Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  We are near your home in Plano, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel-charges. HomeProPlumber in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Call us today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service