need info on healthy electric hot water heaters

Hi Linda,

You might want to go to our share page and there you can post this message.  It was posted as an Ask, where others go to ask health questions.

Thanks,

Daisy

Hi Daisy,

I am asking about electric hot water heaters that are made more like they were just a few years ago, with a low chemical foot print.

This is not an inquiry for health advice it is a request for anyone with similar health challenges and hot water heating experiences to share something that may bring me close to having hot water.

Please excuse this thread if I should only post specific health inquiries for medical personnel on this message board.

If that is the case I will remove my query.

Best,

Linda

Hi hot water,

Welcome to EmpowHER. It might be important to discuss with your doctor first the different type of treatment for chemical sensitivity.  People often can also find solutions on their own. Some learn from experience that certain foods or chemicals seem to make their symptoms worse. Avoiding those chemicals or foods may also help. 

Best,

Daisy

I am into a month long process of trying to learn about hot water heaters.

I move twice a year from one rental to another. There is a new hot water heater in my summer rental that I can not use. I have Chemical Sensitivities.

The hot water heaters in both homes I have rented in the winter are older models. One is A.O. Smith made in 2002 and no longer available. I am waiting to hear back from A.O. Smith regarding the specs from the 2002 heater and the possibility of obtaining a custom made hot water heater.

I know I can not have a heater with the hard poly foam exterior like the new one in this rental. I get sick as soon as the it begins to heat up- and that means summer temperatures in the kitchen even without turning on the hot water heater fuse.

The 3 times I tried to use the hot water it came out of the faucet with a strong chemical odor that not only made me sick but also was very difficult to wash off my hands.

I have not yet succeeded in getting the answer to the problem of the toxins (for me) from the water that comes out of the faucet/tank.

The tank in the second winter rental was made in 1986 by State. Also no longer available.

Is it likely that the dip tubes and heating elements are made/treated with some chemicals that were not present in the construction of the 1986 and 2002 water heaters?

Is a dip tube the same as an anode rod? Are the anode rods now made/treated with chemicals?

Or are the glass or porcelain linings in the tanks now treated with chemicals that were not used in 1986 or 2002?

Any information will be appreciated.

Sincerely,

still waiting to shower - aka Linda