Dielectric nipples vs. heat traps.

A pair of plain old dielectric nipples for the electric water heater
are 4 dollars. With heat traps, which I gather are just little rubber
flaps inside, they are 8 dollars.

Why do they still sell the simpler ones, just because people want to
save 4 dollars?


I don't remember what I used 13 years ago. If you recommend the ones
without the heat traps, and that's what I used 13 years ago, can I
just use the same ones that are in there now?


Thanks a lot. This is such a little thing, I hardly believe it is so
confusing to me.

BTW, I'm replacing the WH where water sprayed around the escutcheon of
the drain valve. I couldn't easily tell where the water was coming
from, and it's a 12 year water heater that is between 11 and 15 years
old, and I decided to replace it. I've been taking showering at a
neighbor's and taking sponge baths.