Brand New Water Heater, still in box, soft clanking sound when rocked

[slackmax]

I just bought a brand new Rheem electric water heater at Home Depot. It's still in the box.

 When I rock it at the top it makes a soft clanking sound. The plumbing guy at HD says it's probably OK. I rocked the other Rheems on the shelf there and they also made the clank, but not as loud as mine.  Don't want to install this thing only to have to uninstall it and return it!

Any clues welcome.


Thanks

[BudgetSlasher]

Open the box.

While I have never returned a water heater, I have returned several defective items open to Home Depot, and often the big box stores will have returned appliance (for a variety of reasons) on sales. I doubt opening the box will prevent you from returning a defective product.

If they all make a similar noise you are probably alright; for all you can tell without opening the box there could be a bag of metal plumbing parts taped to the side of the unit that are swinging around and the loudness is just a result of different placement in relation to packing materials.

Is this a an electric Rheem or a hybrid heat pump Rheem? (If it is not a hybrid, personally I would consider returning it and buying a hybrid, probably the geospring). In either case if the anode is of the flexible variety it could be swinging within the tank and clanking. If it is the heat pump it could be the compressor . . . some compressors make a noise when rocked.

[TomTX]

Loose anode. NBD, they often ship that way. Screw it in before you install.

[slackmax]

I just opened the top of the box and looked in. The anode rod  is already installed and sealed up with a plastic cap. It is at least 6 inches away from the cold and hot pipes.  Must be pretty flexible if it is swinging that much. Or something is hitting a heating element. Or a heating element is loose. I hate not knowing what the noise is from.   

[Milspecstache]

Can you unscrew the anode to get a look?

I have often wondered if there is a baffle inside to ensure you use up all the hot water before you get cold coming through the shower.  I can't think of any other reason why you get that sharp transition in temperature change.

[TomTX]

Can you unscrew the anode to get a look?

I have often wondered if there is a baffle inside to ensure you use up all the hot water before you get cold coming through the shower.  I can't think of any other reason why you get that sharp transition in temperature change.

Hot water is less dense (lighter) than cold water. Add cold water at the bottom, draw hot water from the top and they tend to stay separate for awhile. No baffle needed.

[sokoloff]

Water heaters have a dip tube that ensures the cold water enters at the bottom of the tank.

Some anode rods are segmented (so that they can be removed/installed without having two times the water heater height needed to remove it).

[BudgetSlasher]

I just opened the top of the box and looked in. The anode rod  is already installed and sealed up with a plastic cap. It is at least 6 inches away from the cold and hot pipes.  Must be pretty flexible if it is swinging that much. Or something is hitting a heating element. Or a heating element is loose. I hate not knowing what the noise is from.   

Do you have an assistant? If you are still worried perhaps of of you could rock the unit while the other tries to exactly pinpoint the exact location of the sound.

Flexible anodes and just chunks of metal connected by a metal rope  the could easily swing the 6 inches to the tank wall.

Again, I must say I think you are over thinking this seeing that the other units on the shelf make a similar noise; if you are that worried about something being wrong with your louder noise, exchange the unit for one that makes the noise a little quieter, it will be less effort on your part than trying to run down why your's is a little louder. Keep in mind the unit will never experience force equal to an inquisitive owner rocking it once it is place in service.

But, loose elements are easy to check the doors that cover the top and bottom element are only held in place with a single screw (at least on ever unit I have ever owned).

[Metric Mouse]

Can you unscrew the anode to get a look?

I have often wondered if there is a baffle inside to ensure you use up all the hot water before you get cold coming through the shower.  I can't think of any other reason why you get that sharp transition in temperature change.

Hot water is less dense (lighter) than cold water. Add cold water at the bottom, draw hot water from the top and they tend to stay separate for awhile. No baffle needed.

:D