high altitude water heaters

rnapper
rnapper Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭
in In the Weeds--Member's Choice #1
I have recently purchased a manufactured home that is at 8800 ft. altitude, the tag on the water heater reads ( for installations from 5000 ft. to 7000 ft.) should I replace it with one that is rated for the higher elevation?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    The local stores sell appliances with the proper orifice for your altitudes.  Mail order will be problematic as it's unlikely you can get the high altitude version.
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  • rollandelliott
    rollandelliott Solar Expert Posts: 834 ✭✭
    #3
    interesting, it must be gas/propane powered correct? an electric heater altitude should not matter. 
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    edited July 2019 #4
    You might be able to find a conversion kit (brand name/model):

    http://propaneconversionkit.pw/category/modine/

    -Bill

    A bit of an overview:

    https://www.waterheaterleakinginfo.com/high-altitude/
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  • rnapper
    rnapper Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭
    #5
    Yes this is a propane gas water heater manufactured for a mobile home. I think the altitude rating of 5000ft to 7000ft will work fine at the 8800ft as long as I have a good blue flame and no detectable carbon monoxide emission.
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  • Horsefly
    Horsefly Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    I've discussed this before. We have a cabin at 9,000 ft and have had a normal stock propane water heater in it for about 45 years. No special "high altitude" model.

    I grew up in Colorado, and have never heard of different water heaters for higher altitude, although I'm sure if someone starts to label them that way they will find someone to buy them. Our cabin is not far from Telluride, which is at about the same elevation and has lots of expensive homes. I'd wager that the vast majority of them use gas water heaters that are identical to those running at sea level.
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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Horsefly said:
    I've discussed this before. We have a cabin at 9,000 ft and have had a normal stock propane water heater in it for about 45 years. No special "high altitude" model.

    I grew up in Colorado, and have never heard of different water heaters for higher altitude, although I'm sure if someone starts to label them that way they will find someone to buy them. Our cabin is not far from Telluride, which is at about the same elevation and has lots of expensive homes. I'd wager that the vast majority of them use gas water heaters that are identical to those running at sea level.
    Have you ever heard of devalued fuel, in high altitude areas the fuel suppliers may take into consideration the reduced oxygen and compensate. Just something I've read somewhere in the past.
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  • rnapper
    rnapper Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭
    #8
    Yes I have heard of the devalued as and I agree that this water heater will do fine, thanks.
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  • Horsefly
    Horsefly Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭✭✭
    #9
    mcgivor said:
    Horsefly said:
    I've discussed this before. We have a cabin at 9,000 ft and have had a normal stock propane water heater in it for about 45 years. No special "high altitude" model.

    I grew up in Colorado, and have never heard of different water heaters for higher altitude, although I'm sure if someone starts to label them that way they will find someone to buy them. Our cabin is not far from Telluride, which is at about the same elevation and has lots of expensive homes. I'd wager that the vast majority of them use gas water heaters that are identical to those running at sea level.
    Have you ever heard of devalued fuel, in high altitude areas the fuel suppliers may take into consideration the reduced oxygen and compensate. Just something I've read somewhere in the past.
    Thanks @mcgiver. I guess that could be. In looking on-line, it seems like devaluing is something that a gas utility does to reduce the flow. I can't tell if it applies to propane. Either way, I think paying extra for a "High Altitude" water heater is a waste. 
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