I'm told that only A.O. Smith and Bradford White have resettable FVIRs. (Rheam, and all the others are not resettable)

I'm told that this means if your chimney should ever become clogged, it could cause an FVIR to activate on a Rheam, and the entire Rheam water heater would have to be disposed of. Is that true?

Thanks,

J.

"Guardian System Frequently Asked Questions
Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant Water Heater
Revision 2

17. Can the thermal release device be replaced or reset? Answer: No. If the unit trips the thermal release
device for any reason we want to be aware of it. It means combustion chamber temperatures exceeded what
we consider to be normal. The water heater must be replaced."
[waterheating.rheem.com]

IMNSHO Bradford White & Rheem are the only manufacturers that have "The Right Stuff" when it comes to FVIR Technology.

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Well, why would a chimney become clogged?

For safety and liability issues, Rheem does consider that if an FVIR "event" occurs, that the unit will be replaced, not repaired.

..and not by them:

16. Is thermal release device activation a warranty replacement? Answer: No. The TRD is a component
part. If it fails due to improper workmanship, it will be covered under warranty. The warranty will also
cover the tank leak not the activation of the component thermal release device. The warranty also covers
parts replacement; but not the activation of the TRD due to misuse. The thermal release device is NOT a
consumable part like a thermocouple or gas valve.

17. Can the thermal release device be replaced or reset? Answer: No. If the unit trips the thermal release
device for any reason we want to be aware of it. It means combustion chamber temperatures exceeded what
we consider to be normal. The water heater must be replaced.

If I read this correctly, I don't think there are too many Rheems in my future.

so, rheem has a part that is not warranteed unless it is install wrong to begin with which means if the installer isnt an @#$%& you are gonna eat the cost of a new heater?

i am glad i only install B.W. heaters

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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"

Properly installed and vented you will not see it trip. As they state there has to be an "event" for it to trip and they want the water heater replaced if that is the case. Whirlpool on the other hand doesn't need an event... It just happens!

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It's not a perfect word, Redwood, and I can't trust things to go perfectly. A device in a water heater that is not warranteed, and if it trips you replace the water heater? Uh uh, nope.

And I wonder what they mean by "if it trips, we want to know about it"? Unless they mean a call from a very angry customer, I'm not sure how they'll ever find out.

I install BW pretty much exclusively anyway.

Me too...
To get a Rheem around here would probably be a trip to Big Orange for a GE/Rheem... I'm not convinced that big box doesn't have some special price reducing specifications on them dictated to the manufacturer.

I install Bradford White also.

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maybe they are just wanting to know if it trips during the warranty period and after that they don't really care?

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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"

All the new federaly mandated "safe" gas water heaters are a royal pain in the but. I suggest you look long and hard at the tankless options for gas water heaters. BUT DO YOUR HOMEWORK! NOT ALL TANKLESS ARE CREATED EQUAL! Also do yourself a favor and stay out of the big box stores when it comes to water heaters, as the best for your needs is not their aim, but get the sale by being the cheapest. A water heater is like a furnace when you need to rely on it you need to rely on it! Going cheap on a water heater will always end up costing you more (usually not just money) in the long run. Call a local pro and ask for references!

What brand or model do you recommend?

What brand or model have resettable FVIR? What brand do you guys considered the best all around?