Slated for introduction in early 2009, the Marathon^™ non-metallic thermal storage tank from Rheem will carry a watertight lifetime warranty — guaranteed not to leak for as long as the consumer owns his or her home.  The new tank, which also offers a six-year parts warranty, is specially designed to provide high efficiency and low operating costs, whether used with solar water heating, a geothermal heat pump or an indirect water heating (hydronic) application. 

“Marathon is the most advanced and longest lasting thermal storage tank available,” says Jeff Mahoney, Rheem alternative energy market manager. “In fact, it’s the perfect companion to geothermal heat pumps that will easily last 30 years. It just doesn’t make sense to pair that type of system with a storage tank that can’t match its longevity and performance. The Marathon will last the life of that geothermal system and beyond.” 

The lifetime warranty derives from the unique, award-winning construction of the inner tank, featuring the same non-metallic construction as the Marathon Lifetime Residential Electric Water Heater. (In 2005, the Society of Plastics Engineers presented its annual Consumer Award to the Marathon residential water heater, citing its polybutene storage tank.) The unit’s key components include:

Corrosion-resistant inner tank: The seamless, blow-molded polybutene inner tank is wrapped in multiple layers of filament-wound fiberglass, making it impervious to the rust and corrosion that can sharply curtail the operational lives of conventional storage tanks. The non-metallic tank needs no corrosion-fighting anode rod, averting any potential odor problems due to the chemical makeup of the local water supply.

Energy-saving insulation: The durable inner tank is encased in 2.5 inches of polyurethane foam insulation, intended to minimize heat loss through the walls of the tank and cut energy consumption. A pipe wrap kit is also provided to maximize energy efficiency.

Protective outer tank: The tank and insulation are enclosed within a durable, dent-resistant, molded-polyethylene outer jacket. Recessed into the bottom of the jacket, a factory-installed, full-port brass drain valve is kept well out of the way of brooms, scrubbers and other housecleaning equipment.

Available in 85-gallon and 105-gallon capacities with 2-Port and 4-Port configurations, the Marathon Thermal Storage Tank includes these other key features:

• Bowl-shaped tank bottom to allow complete sediment draining.
• High-temperature polysulfone dip tube.
• Collector feed and return fittings located at the front of the tank, simplifying installation for solar and geothermal applications.
• Thermostatically controlled electrical elements for supplemental heating (on four-port tanks).
• Factory-installed temperature and pressure relief valve and vacuum relief valve.

Marathon’s extreme durability is only one part of the story. Both models are less than 71 inches in height and weigh 140 pounds (85-gallon model) and 160 pounds (105-gallon model), respectively, making them easy to maneuver on the jobsite.

NOTE: Publication-quality photograph of the image shown in this press release can be downloaded at the following location on the web: http://www.LNCmail.com/pr08/rh0885/marathon-tst.html

About Rheem Manufacturing Company
Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta. In its 81st year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of high-quality residential and commercial heating and cooling systems, tank and tankless water heaters, swimming pool heaters and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The premium brands of Rheem Manufacturing Company include Raypak, Ruud and Rheem. Rheem Manufacturing Company is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick Inc. as well as the major associate sponsor of the No. 29 Sprint Cup^® car driven by Kevin Harvick, 2007 Daytona 500 Champion, 2007 Craftsman Truck Series Champion and 2006 Busch Series Champion. Rheem is also the primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick Inc.’s No. 33 and No. 77 cars in Nationwide^® Series and sponsor of KHI’s 2 and 33 entries in The Craftsman Truck Series.