Hi, I just installed a new electric water heater, (energy smart), was told by whirlpool that increasing my hot out to 3/4 would be better pressure, previous was 3/4 in 1/2 out, well now it is hard to regulate the water, plenty of hot water but just turn cold a little too much and it takes over. Whirlpool told me to remove heat traps, impossible to budge in or out (I am a strong guy whole tank filled with water moves not stems), told to dental pick out traps(impossible? I tried) thinking maybe I have to add another 3/4 cold feed before all other cold unions or should I just go back o 1/2 cpvc or just return heater and get a new one? Any help would be greatly appreciated, Rick

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Originally Posted by arkls

hi, i just installed a new electric water heater, (energy smart), was told by whirlpool that increasing my hot out to 3/4 would be better pressure, previous was 3/4 in 1/2 out, well now it is hard to regulate the water, plenty of hot water but just turn cold a little too much and it takes over. whirlpool told me to remove heat traps, impossible to budge in or out (i am a strong guy whole tank filled with water moves not stems), told to dental pick out traps(impossible? i tried) thinking maybe i have to add another 3/4 cold feed before all other cold unions or should i just go back o 1/2 cpvc or just return heater and get a new one? any help would be greatly appreciated, Rick

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Sounds like a damaged or missing dip tube in the H/W tank.

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I was told by whirlpool that increasing my hot out to 3/4 would be better pressure,

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While increasing the size of the pipe will increase the volume it will not increase the pressure. Follow growlers advice and check the dip tube located under the cold water inlet on your tank. Good luck, Tom

This is an old thread, but I've got the straight scoop on this problem. I spent my weekend 2 weeks ago replacing my 50 gal water heater with a 50 gal Whirlpool/US Craftmaster. After I finally got it hooked up without leaks, uh oh, low hot water pressure. My wife threatened to leave. After casting about these user groups for a fix, I finally came up the novel idea of calling the help number pasted on the water heater. I spoke to a very helpful native English speaker who had me probe the outlet nipple with a screwdriver. Sure enough, a about 3" down there was a partially occluded opening. She had me open it up with the screwdriver, and viola! I had pressure. There's a plastic insert inside the nipple that is supposed to be poked open at the factory, but they are often in too big a hurry to to it correctly. Thankfully, I had used flexible connectors instead of sweating the pipes to the unit.

Good info. OD. Thanks for taking the time to post it!

Mark