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    lilien's Avatar
    lilien Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 18, 2009, 07:28 AM
    Hot water heater electric needs 110 vs 220
    Do they make a 110 hot water heater? I recently had a new hot water installed and it is a 220. It has a dedicated spot in the fuse box, but since then the house lights have been dimming and flickering. Is this hot water heater too much for the house, and what should I do. This was professionally installed by a reputable plumbing company and mighty expensive too. Thank you
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Apr 18, 2009, 07:57 AM

    I think 220/240 volts is better, they make 120 volt heaters as well. An Electrician can easily enough change from 1 to the other by changing the use of the neutral to a hot and reidentifying, and changing the Breaker.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Apr 18, 2009, 08:44 AM
    Do they make a 110 hot water heater?
    Yes they do but they cost more to operate.
    the house lights have been dimming and flickering
    How many amps is your house set up for? The average electric heater will pull 19 amps when operating. Flickering and dimming house lights isn't a good sign. Call in a electrician to check things out. Good luck, Tom
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    Apr 18, 2009, 11:16 AM

    You will need a dedicated elec. Circuit for the w/h. Usually, it is 30 AMP or more.

    This is plumber's forum. Maybe, you should post this question in Electrical Forum...
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #5

    Apr 18, 2009, 11:52 AM

    Most water heaters I see are 20 or 30 Amps for regular type.
    For Instaheat(demand type) ,I have seen from 15 amp 120 volts for coffee or tea, and as high as 240 volts at 200 Amps.
    How many amps on the Breaker?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #6

    Apr 18, 2009, 12:03 PM
    Join Date: May 2007
    Most water heaters I see are 20 or 30 Amps for regular type.
    I have checked the amperage on countless 4500 watt, two element water heaters.
    Never found any that registered over 19 Amnps on my AmpProbe. You do know they are opposing elements don't you? They're never on at the same time. And the dedicated circuit breaker is 30 amps. Regards. Tom
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