Types Of Hot Water Heaters

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Our home has an oil hot water heater should we keep it or switch to an electric water heater?
   We are concerned with the cost of heating oil but want to be enviromentally friendly also. Which type of water heater is the most efficient electric or oil?

   • ANSWER:
     Whatever you do, get away from oil heat!!!

2. QUESTION:
   Any downsides to "on demand" water heaters?
   We have a jacuzzi that seems to empty our hot water heater before it's full enough. I'm thinking about the "on demand" type of water heater since it's at a cabin that we only use a few days a week. I think that would save energy but I'm afraid the water might take forever to fill a large tub like a jacuzzi has. Also, how much room does an "on demand" water heater take up compared to the normal kind?

   • ANSWER:
     On demand water heaters are great . The demand of a weekend only jacuzzi might not be economical for you to use an on-demand heater. The downside of an on-demand heater is that it can calcify over time, you may want a water softener with it. For the jacuzzi you may want to get an auxiliary heater, such as a submersible heater, to keep it slightly heated all the time and crank up the heat when you are there..

3. QUESTION:
   Tenant ran new gas hot water heater dry. What type of damage can I expect?

   • ANSWER:
     I'm having trouble understanding how it could run dry. if the cold water in was shut off, then nothing would come out, no pressure to push the water out and no air inlets to let it gravity drain, did they like drain the water out of the bottom and then leave it on? well... fill it up and see how it does. it shouldn't be that bad. if it was a fault in the construction, or a fault in the installation(if done by pro) call in the warranty. you could also take the burner out(door in the front, usually just two bolts and remove the gas line and thermocouple) and see if anything looks really bad. black soot should be minimal due to it being new and gas fired.
     are you saying that the tank was so dry that the internal water level was below the thermostat? otherwise the tank is fine. the thermostat would turn the gas off if it had enough water to tell the thermostat how hot it was. throw in some more details.

4. QUESTION:
   Hot water heater makes gunfire noises. What can I do? on the cheap?
   It's so loud! lol...oh man. I swear it's gonna explode. When I first heard it I thought someone was breaking into my property. I have access to free hazardous chemicals...are there chemicals I can use to clean it out or whatever? It's a normal lookin' hot water heater.

   P.S. it's in a modular home. Do I need a special type of hot water heater for these things?

   • ANSWER:
     You can't do anything on the cheap, there is no quick, easy or inexpensive way to fix this problem, you will have to replace the unit to get rid of the noise. It's a given that you have a gas water heater, and VERRY hard water, especially lime and calcium. The sediment that builds up in the bottom of the tank gets very hot and balls of it literally explode like popcorn kernals, and usually with quite a report, (bang). This is not a dangerous condition, but it can be very annoying if you're trying to watch TV or sleep, etc. As for a special type of unit, check the bottom of yours to see if there's a 3" metal vent pipe coming out the bottom of the burner chamber and going into the floor. If there is then this is a special model heater that is used in mobile and modular homes. That's a vent that draws air for combustion when the burner kicks on, from outside the actual building. Many of the modular homes made are so air tight that when all the windows and doors are closed, a burner the size of one in such an appliance as this can't maintain a flame, for want of air. If you do have this type of unit, they can usually be had at mobile or modular home supply houses. There should be one listed in the yellow pages of the phone book.
     There are no chemicals that you could use to dissolve all that lime, unfortunately replacement is the only solution.
     By the way, the only other answer up here that is even close was the first one.

5. QUESTION:
   Will you take advantage of the stimulus energy credit and get 30% off windows, doors, A/C,water heaters,roofs?
   I really am liking the way this bill looks, I had planned on upgrading my hot water heater to the on-demand type anyway, and also had plans for putting a new entry door in. Looks like I will be stimulating my share of the economy.
   sorry nobama from post seven... you are wrong this is a new increase from Bushes 0 credit to Obama's ,500 credit.. get your facts before spewing crap

   • ANSWER:

6. QUESTION:
   Is there a way to get hot water for a bath without a water heater?
   I do not have the money to buy a new hot water heater and I was wondering if there is some type of device I could use to warm up water in the bath tub.

   • ANSWER:
     yes....the old fashioned way of putting a large pot on the stove and dumping the warmed water into the tub. other than that there is no safe way to get how water without using a water heater.

7. QUESTION:
   If a home has a gas-fired, natural-draft furnace, a hot-water heater and a solid-fuel-fired fireplace?
   If a home has a gas-fired, natural-draft furnace, a hot-water heater and a solid-fuel-fired fireplace, what type of home is it?
   If a home has a gas-fired, natural-draft furnace, a hot-water heater and a solid-fuel-fired fireplace, what type of home is it?

   this is a question from my heating and ventilation course! Need a technical answer plz! =D

   • ANSWER:
     a very nice warm home

8. QUESTION:
   our hot water heater is leaking excessively from a valvue on the top of it?
   the hot water heater is gas. the leak began today and is ongoing now. my husband believes it to be coming from some type of pressure valve. Help.

   • ANSWER:
     It's commonly called a TPR valve for Temperature Pressure Relief.

     It basically unscrews and you can screw a new one in (with thread tape. Remember to turn off the water supply to the heater and take the pressure off by opening a nearby water tap.

     There are two types of valves, a long stem one and a short stem on. Get the right type. If it looks too confusing, call a plumber. It's typically a quick repair.

9. QUESTION:
   Where can I buy a cover for my hydronic hot water heater?
   The covers of my hydronic hot water heater are all dented and falling off of the hooks. I THINK they are metal or something like that. The covers bend easily. I want to replace them, but I can't find anyplace that sells the covers I am looking for. Anyone know where I could find some. My heater looks exactly like this in the link: http://homerepair.about.com/od/heatingcoolingrepair/ss/heating_types_4.htm

   • ANSWER:
     there are dozens of different styles... the most popular is slant fin #30 home depot sells it 2 ways....... 1) just the front AND back cover which is called a dummy 2) complete front and back cover and the heating element.......not sure where you can get just the front cover... Embbasy and slant fin are the 2 big manufacturers of that type of base board

10. QUESTION:
    Solar Water Heaters; What type or brand should I AVOID?
    We get a ton of Sun here in the Calif. central valley, and I want a solar system. We plan to do water for now and for electricity as soon as we can afford it. What should I avoid OR what set-up has proved dependable. I need to not run out of hot water when taking a shower. I hate that! If yours works great please tell me what brand and any details you could share, that would be most helpful. How well does your system do in winter or on cloudy days, etc....?

    • ANSWER:
      I am a solar thermal technician and i am an enerworks certified installer. i've installed over 70 thermal systems. The product i started out using was Stiebel Eltron, german made. the tanks have single or double internal heat exchangers and a digital controller. in my personal expierence, these panels over heated way to much, on a positive note, they kick serious butt making hot water. i dont like the fittings, most of them are threaded with washers and they come loose easily. we then switched to a canadian company called Enerworks. these systems use a external plate to plate heat exchanger that mounts outside the tank. the push fittings at the panels are sensitve, but over all the product is a dream(installer wise) to install. the panels have a baffle system that uses a temp. sensored spring that allows the panel to cool itself on its own, no worries about overheating. based on engineering, support, and many installs, i strongly recommend enerworks. i cant speak of others because i have not installed them, i believe the correct advise is to learn from those you own or install. if you need any help, questions, or tips, feel free to email me, i love helping others!

11. QUESTION:
    What type of oil should be used for a Reliance brand base board hot water heater?
    Also, it makes a clicking sound, is there anything i should be aware of?

    • ANSWER:
      no oil,
      its the heating element clicking on and off

12. QUESTION:
    What type of Water Heater do I need? (Brands, types, costs...etc...)?
    I currently live in a 1442sf. home with radiant heat installed in the concrete slab. I live in a temperate climate on the West coast of Northern Washington. (Rarely below freezing and even rarer that we get snow.) I currently have a Bradford-White water heater (48 gallons) that serves both as my hot water for the home AND the radiant heat system. It is on its last legs and I need to replace it. I want a larger heater for my home and am willing to purchase two water heaters if necessary. I do NOT want a boiler as it is way more expensive than I can afford and it is unneeded due to my temperate climate. Please help me as I cannot seem to find anyone who knows what type of water heater to suggest for my radiant heat system. (The home heater is no problem.) Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      I would install a new hybrid water heater that has a heat pump and electric heating elements.

13. QUESTION:
    Supplemental water heater/solar conversion?
    We currently have an oil-fired coil type hot water heater - built into the furnace. With only two people in the house, we still can't get more than two minutes of a hot shower before it goes cold. The heat kicks up again in about 5 minutes, but it makes for a very uncomfortable shower.

    Does anyone have experience with this type of water heater? Can we purchase a supplemental tank? The furnace is pretty old so we don't want to invest much right now.

    Also, any thoughts on converting oil heat to solar energy? If we were to convert our energy source, we'd do the whole system - water, HVAC and heat. Estimated cost on 1500 sf house? We froze our butts off this winter keeping the heat in the low 60's and still paid about ,500 - ,000 for oil. We'd like to avoid a repeat next year.

    Your input is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      If I were you I would look into getting the newer " on demand" hot water heating system. There are no tanks, and therefore water is not constantly heated day and nite whether it is needed or not. Especially since now you need to use a boiler to keep it that way.
      They make whole house models and models that you can put in just one application . Like a "on demand" water heater for the bathroom only or just the kitchen sink.
      They are either electrically heated or gas heated.
      The initial cost is higher BUT the moment you install it ,,,it starts paying for itself because it only operates when you turn on the hot water faucet. Your monthly bill willl drop like a stone.
      Also it never runs out of hot water.
      Its a win win situation.

14. QUESTION:
    what type of water heater would be better for a Nails and Spa?
    looking for what would be much quicker of recovery rate for a tankless water heater vs. a water heater. would a tankless water heater produce hot water way faster then a normal tank heater.

    • ANSWER:
      A tank-less water heater of the proper capacity has a ZERO 'recovery time'. It does not preheat water for later use. Instead it heats water AS it is used.

15. QUESTION:
    Ok so my hot water heater is no longer working, Wrong AMP or Fuses ? Brand New Heater?
    Ok so my hot water heater is no longer working, bought and replaced with a brand spanking new one. I hooked it all up, it shows with a neon tester that it has a hot current but....it still is not heating up. I have a really old Fuse box with the screw in type fuses. The water heater is hooked up to two different fuses, both are hooked up to Green 30 AMP fuses. Can any one help me figure this one out ? I had changed some of the old fuses along time ago before I knew any thing about different AMP fuses

    • ANSWER:
      One of the fuses may be blown. The heater works on 240--120+ 120. But the neon tester will light up with less than 75 volts. You are probably measuring 120 from one fuse but not getting the 240 across them both. Figure out what the amp size should be. Even a large fuse will blow in the dead short. If you used a multi-tester you could read the actual voltage. Then if it is there the problem must be the heater.

16. QUESTION:
    What type of hot water system should I go for?
    My hot water system broke down recently and I'll have to replace it.

    Should I go for a combi-boiler, immersion heater, other? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system?

    I live in a 3-storey, 3-bedroom terraced house with my wife, and a stepdaughter who is with us 50% of the time.

    Should I have 2 separate, small boilers, one for ground floor (washing up, handwashing) and one for top floor (bathroom)? The reason I ask is that I'm wondering how much heat I'm losing by pumping hot water up & down 3 floors?

    Any advice much appreciated.

    • ANSWER:
      It really depends on usage and how much you want to spend. A combi boiler is efficient and only heats the water you need and also heats your central heating, the water from the taps is at mains water pressure (or there abouts) there are no tanks in the loft and no need for an airing cupboard.

      A vented hot water storage cylinder will store heated water for up to approximately 3 days dependent on how much you use (as you use hot water, cold water enters the cylinder), this system requires tanks in the loft and an airing cupboard.

      An unvented hot water storage cylinder works on the same principal as the vented, however it works on mains water pressure, needs no tanks in the loft and has a fast recovery time (heats the water rapidly).

      Solar heating (certainly in the UK) is only usable as a 'preheat' facility for your storage cylinder, it's very expensive and you would be unlikely to recoup your money before you had to replace the solar panels.

      If you are changing your gas boiler, the new one will be a high efficiency condensing boiler as building regs now require this type to be fitted.

      Hope this helps

17. QUESTION:
    I would like to have the platform that the hot water heater sits on.?
    I had a leak and now it's pretty bad looking. What type of company would I call to rebuild this platform in the garage?

    • ANSWER:
      Home Depot sells them for . They're made out of galvanized steel.

      http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100678550&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100678550&ci_kw={keyword}&kwd={keyword}&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-100678550&ci_gpa=pla#.UCA5X0Rz6vA

18. QUESTION:
    New water heater won't stay lit?
    We had a new hot water heater installed recently. Yestersay had no hot water. It is one of the new sealed burner type heaters and I couldn't get the pilot to light. I took the burner assembly out and hooked it up and it ran fine (outside of the unit) I put it all back together again and then I was able to light the pilot however when I called for heat the burner came on and then slowly went out. I checked the gas pressure in the house and it is fine. I can even run all burners on the stove. It is almost like I am not getting enough combustion air.

    My question -

    Where does the combustion air enter the combustion chamber of these new water heaters? Has anyone had this problem before? The heater is not even a year old, it was working fine two days ago.

    • ANSWER:
      Depending on the brand of the heater the combustion air comes through specially designed fins at the bottom of the heater. I have had to clean them with a toothbrush. However most models have a lockout mechanism in the unitrol valve. I have had to replace the valve and or the thermocouple.

19. QUESTION:
    Tankless water heaters for apartments?
    I am considering electric tankless water heaters for each of my 28 2-bedroom 1 bath apartments. What type is recommended? I don't want to recirculate the hot water. The hard water kills the 30-gal tank versions pretty fast plus I am trying to save my residents some money on their electricity bills. I have seen them priced from 350-2000 and would like to get by with as inexpnesive as practical (remember - 28 units lol) without buying junk. Is the Tankless1 a good make and model for this application?

    • ANSWER:
      I would check with a company that manufactures and sells these units. They produce hot water on demand only, and that saves money. In Europe we have used these type of water heaters already 50 years ago, however, in the USA they are fairly new on the market and not cheap, as we found out. When checking the water heater prices, we were disappointed with their high cost, and left things as they were for the time being.
      We live in New York State where the local electric companies are charging outrageous prices for electricity. In time we also like to come up with an energy efficient way of heating our water.

20. QUESTION:
    What type of water heater is best?
    We just purchased a house that needs a new hot water tank min. 60 gallon (as it has a huge double tube). Are waterless tanks a good idea - apparantly they heat the water as and when you need it?

    Thanks
    Unfortunately, it's electrical! The sellers are replacing the water tank but we can upgrade it and pay the difference (which we will probably have to do as I am sure they will replace with the cheapest).

    • ANSWER:
      If you have natural gas or propane then a tankless water heater is a great way to go.   The down side is it will cost you around 3 times what a regular water heater will cost.   The plus side is that they last for 20 years and in a few years you will recover your costs.   I recently had one put in my lake house and love it.   You only pay for the use of it when you have your hot water on.   You wont have to worry about water damage from a regular water heater leaking in about 7 years when you need a new one.   I had a plumber install mine, but in the process I found out that gas companies also install these tankless units, so you can shop around for the best price.   The gas companies tend to be cheaper.   Good luck.

21. QUESTION:
    Hot water heater problems?
    So this morning my mother woke up to a hiss sound and it turns out that all of the hot water was flowing out of her hot water tank. Now I had to turn it off because it was constantly flowing out of the pressure relief valve on the front to the outside. Now my question is, why is this happening? This is a year old water heater and we shouldn't be having these types of problems with it being newish. This is how it's acting. I turn the lever to let the hot water flow throughout the house and it goes straight to the pressure relief and outside. I have no idea what is going on, can someone please help me?
    This is a gas powered water heater if that helps any.
    The water coming out isn't even hot coming out of the house, that's the weird part. If it was triggering that pressure valve the water would have to be hot enough to burn the skin off your hand. The water is cold that's coming out.

    • ANSWER:
      You may have set your water temperature too high that the pressure relief valve open because the tank pressure becomes too high, the pressure relief valve may have gone bad and stock open therefore the pressure relief valve should be replace following the recommended spec by the manufacturer, if you are unable to follow the replacement procedure, i suggest you hire heating contractor, good luck. HvacMechanicalSystems.com

22. QUESTION:
    when shower with hot water and cold water?
    when i have the hot water and cold water running in the shower and someone runs cold water or flushes one of the totets i get real cold water. i always understood that if the cold water ran some where else in the house and you didn't have that type of valve on the shower you would get hot water and if someone ran hot water you would get cold water. we moved into the house in 09 and it looks like a new hot water heater

    • ANSWER:
      if the plumbing was done correctly, that makes no sense whatsoever unless you have restriction in the hot lines somewhere and the drop in pressure allows the cold side to continue to run while the hot side flow slows

      is it possible that someone switched the hot and cold when they plumbed your lines?
      if the toilet is using hot water that would explain it...

23. QUESTION:
    Is this a safe temporary fix for a water heater?
    I just got up a little while ago, and heard a dripping sound coming from our hot water heater. It was dripping from the base of the water heater near the outer edge. I put my hand under there and could feel a hole. To stop it from leaking, I put some duck tape over it and was going to leave it there until my dad gets home because he's better at fixing these types of things. Is this a safe temporary fix?

    • ANSWER:
      Wow! You sealed a leak in a water heater using only a piece of duct tape...? How did you get the tape to stick to the hot wet surface? The adhesive on the tape was strong enough to hold back 40 pounds of water pressure? You should patent your plumbing techniques and expertise.

24. QUESTION:
    My newer hot water heater is leaking at a connection?
    My hot water heater was installed less than 2 years ago. 4 months ago it developed a leak at a connection between a metal and plastic part. It is dripping about once every 30-60 seconds. After 2-3 weeks it fills a small bucket placed under the leak. I have had the contractor who installed it come back, he tightened it, but it still leaks. My husband is not really handy with this type of thing, and I don't really trust the contractor who installed it to come out again, it is not his specialty, he did other work in our home at the same time. (I have been using him for extensive repairs due to this "lemon" of a house we bought, not happy replacing the roof I can tell you that!! We did have an inspection, but none of the issues came up at all, but that is another story). Anyway, if we call a plumber, how much will this cost to fix? The leak is towad the bottom of the tank, it is plastic joining metal, a screw type connection. I guess the tank must be drained then the connections opened and sealed properly. The plumber we have used in the past is per call plus per hour, about how many hours? Any other advice? I was up for 3 hours last night worrying about this!! (We have had other flooding issues in the past with the old hot water heaters!!)
    I agree with the answerer about the metal/plastic connection. I personally did not think you could have that kind of joint. It is not PVC, just plastic and copper together. Part of our situation is that we have a geothermal exchange heating and cooling unit, and we have 2 hot water heaters in series, and if we release the pressure to one then our geothermal system will shut down, when we replaced them last time we had not hot water and ho heat for 5 days since this happened over a Thursday, then Friday, then a weekend with mutiple leaks we had to shut the water off before these water heaters were replaced before!
    No, it is not the drain valve, it is a plastic/copper connection half way up the side of the water heater.
    I know I am longwinded!! But my true question is how much will this cost to fix? It is a 1 hour job, 4 hour job??

    • ANSWER:
      Between the copper fitting and the plastic one, there is a fibre washer which is either missing or has been damaged by over tightening . Other than that it is possible that the copper fitting was put on to the plastic one and has cross threaded the plastic fitting.

25. QUESTION:
    what do you call a as water heater that only heats when needed?
    what do you call a gas water heater that only heats when needed?

    It's not continuous flow, but the older type.

    and on these that shutoff when no hot water is needed, the pilot light stays on?

    What about the type that has an on/off switch so a gas water heater could be turned off and on daily?

    What are the technical terms or names of these type water heaters?
    this heater is over 5 years old, maybe 10 years old. So it uses gas 24 hours a day? the pilot light only?
    what heats the water? pilot light can not heat water can it?
    Across the street the guy has an older water heater, not tankless, but older one, and it has an on off switch and he can turn it off at 9pm and on at 9am to conserve gas. The pilot light burns but the part that heats the water is off.

    • ANSWER:
      Tankless hot water heater or instant hot water heater.

      There is no pilot. It creates the hot water on-demand

      Like this

      http://www.tanklesswaterheaterguide.com/

      ------edit----

      What you are describing is just about any water heater. You have the heater thermostatically controlled. A well insulated hot water heater does not need to be turned off and on each day because you are not using water, the heater is not running. And, not enough heat is lost during the day to cause the heater to cycle on. If your heater is poorly insulated then I would invest in a heater blanket. You can even turn the water temperature down to save a few $$.

      You can buy a thermostat that has multiple settings (like a home heater thermostat). You would be able to have several temperature settings throughout the day/week. But, It will probably take you 10 years in energy savings to recoup the cost of buying and installing the thermostat.

26. QUESTION:
    Hot water heater vents?
    I have a natural gas hot water heater. The vent goes through the sheetrock to the chimney. Well I know that I have to have some space between the sheetrock and the vent pipe, which is how its set up now. But I have approx 2 inch around the vent, and cold air coming in through the opening. I have looked online and at home depot for some type of flashing, but cant seem to find anything like a sheet metal to cover the excess hole. Any suggestions?
    I do have a double wall vent pipe, 1 inch as required.

    • ANSWER:
      You can go to a sheet metal company that will make you a cover or you can go to an HVAC company that will have one they can sell you. A plumbing supplier would also have what you need to purchase, but they only sell to contractors in the business.

27. QUESTION:
    I just moved into an apartment, i am getting no hot water in the showers but hot water everywhere else. help?
    This place has 2 showers and then 1 seperate bath. The showers get luke warm water. I have a Rheem water heater. I read the manual with little positive results. Any recommendations? I am very new to these type of problems so please speak on a basic level. Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      Call your landlord and have him handle it. That is his responsibility.

28. QUESTION:
    my gas water heater has a big boom sound when it fires up?
    I have this GE gas water heater just over 1 year old. everytime when it fires up (i.e., when we run the hot water and the gas fire up to heat up water in the tank), it has a scary big boom sound. I have the same type of gas water heater in other rental houses and I know it has a sound when the gas fires up. but this one's sound is too big, sounds a little scary.

    does anyone have a good idea what is going on?

    • ANSWER:
      It is caused by slow ignition. What is happening is the heater burner is giving off gas whichisn't lighting immediately. it is igniting about 2 seconds later. By that time all the gas that has accumalated in the heater is then ignited. This is what the cause is. If your heater has a pilot light, then you need a more bigger flame on the pilot. This is a job for an engineer who knows how to do this. The flame on the pilot is adjusted at the gas valve which is a tricky job to do.

29. QUESTION:
    Hot water heater not venting?
    I have a Janitrol (goodman) forced air heating unit. 75k BTU. It is vented with 4" type B flu up 24" and then out the side of the house, past the roof about 3 feet. (with a vent cap)

    I also have a hot water heater (gas, natural draft) that ties into the exhaust from the heater.
    The flu comes up about 16-18 inches to a T. On the side of the flu is where the opening is and where it goes from 4" to 3" down at a slope to the hot water tank.

    THis is how it has been for years since I bought the house. I purchased a new hot water heater and noticed its not venting at all.

    I have contacted numerous HVAC technicians with no avail. I have made it where the cold air intake with the filter is not in the same space. These units are in a closet by the way. There is a little but of a backdraft also when heater is not on. All the duct work is brand new type b. Nothing blocking the pipe, no ice build up. Nothing.

    What would cause it not to vent?

    • ANSWER:
      the problem is in the vent piping. without seeing sizes and layout its hard to verify where issue lies. one thing to also check is the pilot. confirm the size. when the pilot is lit, it is what creates the natural drafting. you can check by lighting a match and hold near vent draft. see if it is pulling the flame or pushing it. then test again with furnace running.

30. QUESTION:
    Why is the shower water in my newly-constructed condo not nearly as hot as the water in the sink?
    I suspect there is some type of governor or safety on the faucet. I would like to take a hot bath every now and then without increasing the temperature of the water heater.

    • ANSWER:
      Youre on the right track. These are called anti-scalding shower valves. You have to take the handle off and adjust the limiter inside to a hotter setting. If you cant figure it out maybe you can find the valve at home depot or lowes and take a look at the instructions.

31. QUESTION:
    Should a 13 year old 40 gallon hot water heater be able to fill a garden tub w/ hot water?
    I have a 13 year old gas water heater in a home i just purchased. The house is also 13 years old, and the previous (original) owners were an elderly couple. Point being, though it is 13 years old, it hasn't been supplying hot water to an active young family of five or anything.

    That said, the hot water runs out in a shower of any extended length. I would say it's good for 15 minutes give or take. And it definitely can't fill the garden tub w/ hot water. The tub is average size for a garden tub - maybe 2x the size of a normal shower tub?

    So I called the gas company who sent someone over to have a look. He said:
    - the water heater has a good amount of sediment in it, and will need replacing in the near future, 0-3 years.
    - The "pan" has a good amount of water in it, so there is a leak somewhere
    - even a brand new 40 gallon tank wouldn't be able to provide a hot bath in the tub, and he remarked that the garden tubs in these type houses are for "looks".

    Well - I would really like to take advantage of the tub and have a hot bath! I would also hope to not need to replace the hot water heater if i an help it.

    Should also mention I have a home warranty policy on the house, so if it needs replacing (at least for the next 6 months), I won't be spending a lot to have it fixed. The warranty will cover it.

    Is a slowly leaking 40 gallon heater with a good amount of sediment one that should be replaced?

    What do you think?

    • ANSWER:
      If the heater is actually leaking, use the Home Warranty now. It won't be long before it lets go and the warranty may not cover the damages it causes, just the heater. Garden tubs are a thing of the past. Many people thought they would use them but found they used too much water and were a pain to clean. A water heater replaces the hot water used with cold water to keep it full and flowing. Consider a typical shower of 10 minutes. Most shower heads allow 2-1/2 gallons per minute. This means that if you used only hot water, you would use 25 gallons of water in 10 minutes. This is over 1/2 of a 40 gallon tanks capacity. The 25 gallons of hot water is being replaced with 25 gallons of cold water which continually changes the temperature of the water in the tank.

32. QUESTION:
    Hot Water Heater Leaking?
    This is a little more in-depth question to the 1 my wife put on here. Our hot water heater is leaking at the top. Lots of corosion and rust on both nipples. Brought new ones from Home Depot. The copper piping has been cut off (most of it, from the nipples) and replaced with some type of flex tubing. Still have coppper pipes going into the walls. I've drained out at least 10 gallons with waterhose (58 gallon tank). When I loosen nuts, water jets out. Do I continue to drain tank, and should I loosen WHILE draining, with other water lines open?

    • ANSWER:
      I don't see any indication as to type of heater unit, elec., or gas, but the leak problem doesn't really relate to that anyway. The large amount of rust and corrosion on the nipples connecting the unit to your water system, however, does relate. If there's that much activity going on there and someone else has already replaced piping, etc, in that area, chances are the unit is quite old and most likely getting a fair amount of lime, calcium sediment built up in the base of the tank. This is the caustic stuff that causes the corrosion on the piping and also eats the tanks walls till a leak occurs. It may be time to simply cut your losses and replace the entire tank. As to draining, you need to stop the water supply to the tank, either by shutting off a valve that should be located somewhere near the tank, on the cold water side, or shutting down the supply to the whole house. Once that's accomplished, you can open the drain valve and hook up your hose and drain into a sump area or just a drain hole in the floor if you have one. If you have to push it up and out of the basement, then you can pressurize the tank, by installing a special nipple on the relief valve and using an air tank. If it's an electric model, of course, shut off the power before draining, if it's gas, turn off the gas before disconnecting.

33. QUESTION:
    How much should labor (only) be for replacing hot water heater?
    My 48 gallon gas hot water heater is starting to leak from the bottom. From my research, it seems my only option is to replace it. It is still under warranty; so, I will only have to pay for labor. The quote I was given from the company I called is ,000 to ,200 for just the labor. I was told this because it's a 2 man job and pipes would need refitting since the replacement water heater is slightly larger. My water heater also has in and out pipes that go to the AC/Heating unit to heat the coils for heat. This is my first experience with this type of repair - does this quote sound right? Thanks for your help.

    • ANSWER:
      That sounds awfully high to me.
      I'd call the company and see what they suggest. Also ask them why the replacement needs different pipes than what you have now? If they don't make your old model, I'd tell them what I was quoted and see what they have to say about it.
      Also I'd call the gas company. I've had a water heater replaced with them and it cost me about 0 total, including the water heater. See if they can't give you a better deal.

34. QUESTION:
    High limit switch tripped: do I need to clean air filter in hot water heater? (Bradford White)?
    I have a Bradford White hot water heater, about 7 years old, model MI5036FBN2. The pilot light went out and I found out it was the high limit switch that had shut the unit off. I can replace the high limit switch, but I was told that the high limit switch often trips and shuts the heater off when the heater gets too hot, due to the air filter being clogged...or possibly not enough oxygen getting in because the air filter is clogged. As far as I can tell, the inlet holes to let oxygen into the sealed combustion chamber are below, just about 1/2 inch above the ground at base of the tank, and I can't get any type of brush in there to clean this out. Does the air filter actually need to be cleaned, and how do I do that, or is there some other reason the high limit switch would trip that I need to take action on?

    • ANSWER:
      You should be able to remove the air filter for cleaning. It just snaps in place. You don't have to have the filter on it, it is something I usually leave off when I install them. Your vent pipe could be blocked. Check it to ensure a bird is not building a nest in it. A blockage on this vent would cause your high limit switch to trip. I just saw a picture of your model, you cannot remove that filter. Blow it out with compressed air.

35. QUESTION:
    I have a question about electric hot water heater......?
    I have an electric water heater 50 to 60 gallon 110 type Bradford White Corporation with hydrojet system is the name brand on it. I"m pretty sure it's 110 don't believe it's 220 don't see why it would be for home use. I have changed the elements and thermostats twice, flushed it for sediments, when I flushed it so much came out it clogged and busted the water hose because I turned the water on to it to help aid the flush. It's twelve years old but it will always have to be reset on the thermostat a lot of the times it keeps kicking off the reset button on the heater itself. It isn't a breaker problem in the fuse box. Is the heater just wore out should I replace it or is it something else like electrical in the water heater? I've tried about everything I know to do on it. When you reset the button it heats water fine. Plenty of water when you shower, but you might have to reset it again right after your shower. I would appreciate any input on this problem thank you very much.

    • ANSWER:
      You are wasting time and money guessing. Just go to
      http://appliancequickfix.com/ and they will tell you exactly how
      to track down your problem.....real easy !

36. QUESTION:
    Tankless Hot Water Heater Leak?
    water leaking around threads of heating elements. Manufacturer said it's not the O ring but the treads where the elements are, out of warranty, can't afford parts or new one. What type of sealant can i use to seal this off?

    • ANSWER:
      I don't see how the manufacture can make the claim it's not the o-rings, heat deteriorates rubber. I would change the o-rings. The threads are straight threads as opposed to pipe threads. Straight threads are not made to make a seal.

37. QUESTION:
    Boiler/Hot water tank heat?
    My husband and I just moved into a hot that has a natural gas fired boiler and hot water heater heating system. I know absolutely nothing about this kind of heat.
    Do I need to get this kind of heating system routinely cleaned each year before winter, like other heating systems?
    If so, who do I call for that? I have been told a plumber, but every plumber that I have called has said they don't do cleaning of boilers!?
    Also, does anyone know how much it costs to get this type of maintenence done?

    • ANSWER:
      As a rule, natural gas boilers require much less cleaning than oil-fired units. That being written, you have a 'summer-winter' system, so your boiler operates all year round to make hot water. This, in fact, is helpful as you have a good gauge that the system is operating correctly when you turn on the heat.

      But, to answer your question directly - if you have a standard 'open' boiler that uses room-air for combustion, it is useful to clean out the burners once a year and use a soft wire-brush on the thermocouple and pilot-assembly to remove any scale. It is a very simple task that takes perhaps 20 minute from start to finish and is something a *skilled and experienced* homeowner could do. If the boiler is a cast-iron sectional boiler, it is also useful to clean out the areas between the sections with a soft brush every couple of years or so. This involves removing the sheet-metal from around the boiler and should only be done by a technician.

      If you have a sealed condensing boiler, no such service is required. They use specially-designed, corrosion-proof fire boxes to prevent scale and rust build-up.

      Speak to your gas utility. They usually have a list of approved service technicians in your area that will do what is needed. Often they offer a service-contract that includes such cleaning as well. PECO charges anything from about 0 to 0 for such annual contracts via private service companies depending on the depth and extent of coverage. But they all include at least annual servicing.

38. QUESTION:
    Hot water requirements for rental in California?
    I've always rented in corporate apartment complexes or owned my own townhouse, but, I recently rented a unit in a fourplex home where gas and electric are included in the rent. It is an older home, but, most everything is well maintained and updated. Having lived there for three weeks however, one thing I've noticed when taking showers is that even when I turn the faucet on to the hottest, the water is often barely lukewarm and fades quickly. I've since found we all share the same water heater and when I first moved in, it was turn down pretty low (in between "warm" and "vacation"). I've taken it upon myself to turn it up to hot and while there are times when I get hot water, it never lasts more than 5 minutes before it starts to fade and the last two mornings I've taken a shower at 7am and have literally had barely warm water for 60-120 seconds before it turned to cold. I am the type of person who likes a hot shower, but, I don't think it is acceptable for anyone to have a lukewarm shower that lasts 60 seconds before going cold. I don't even have enough time to lather and rinse off. It is ridiculous.

    From what I've read, California law requires a landlord to provide hot water at a certain temperature, but, I can't find anything about the reasonable duration of that temperature. All water heaters lose heat over time and I suspect it is merely an issue of this water heater unit not being big enough for the number of tenants (4 units, 6 people). Before I go to my landlord with my complaint, I want to have all my facts in order in regards to the law. So, if anyone has any suggestions of where to go or impart any of their experiences with a similar situation, I would appreciate it.

    • ANSWER:
      Hot water is a base line requirement. It is part of "warrant of habitability". look that up.

      It doesn't mean the landlord has to provide the hotwater...it mean the landlord has to provide the means to have hot water. In other words..the landlord has to provide the hot water heater....and it has to be working such that it will provide hot water.

      SO... I suggest you read up on the California law concerning 'warrant of habitability"...and then write a letter to the landlord. be sure to send it certified so you have proof of delivery.
      I would also make a phone call to the landlord. Use those exact words "habitability". If the landlord has no clue what that means...make a copy of the law (print it from the web site) and include it in your letter.

      Start by asking this question over at the landlord forum at www.thelpa.com There are several California landlords over there that are very knowledgeable.

39. QUESTION:
    What type of cable would be best to use when approx 3 meters is used in a confined space next to hot pipes?
    I have a water heater to install and I want to get my supply from a unfused connection unit on the wall and feed it into a isolator switch then to my heater which is under a sink in a vanity unit. can i use twin + earth all the way to my heater next to hot water pipes then have a isolater switch next to heater and a little heat resisting cable going feeding heater. Is this with-in the regs?

    • ANSWER:
      You can buy flexible cable sometimes called "butyl" which is used for wiring immersion heaters, it's heat resistant. (Eg Wickes 3 Core Heat Resistant Flex - 2.5mm2 Product Code: 204860 £3.10/metre).

      You should replace the unfused connection with a Switched Fused Spur box (eg Wickes 13A Fused Switched Spur With Neon Product Code: 710027 £6.25) and run the heat resistant cable all the way. This minimises joints and is safer.

      You can get the stuff from loads of places, I just chose Wickes because their web site is easy to navigate.

40. QUESTION:
    which hot water thermostat do i need?
    i need to buy a new hot water thermostat for my immersion heater but ive looked on B & Q and they have all different types how do find out which one i need? is there some sort of a code on them or something? any help much appreciated

    • ANSWER:
      With the supply isolated/fuse taken out/breaker switched off and labelled

      Disconnect the wires to the thermostat and pull it out
      Thermostats are sold by length, see link
      Note the temperature setting on the old one and set the new one the same.
      Replace the wiring

      If it does not work then you may need a new heater

41. QUESTION:
    Hot Water not heating but central heating is...?
    Im not really techincal when it comes to heaters and stuff so i don't know what type of water heating system it is...
    All i know is there is a boiler in the cellar/basement...whatever.

    The hot water doesn't come on but the central heating does.

    Any DETAILED advice on what to do?

    • ANSWER:
      The best DETAILED advice I can give you is to get more DETAILS of your own to present in your description of your problem so we have something on which to base an answer.

42. QUESTION:
    Why is my water heater so erratic?
    I rent an apartment that uses a boiler (runs on heating oil) to provide heat and hot water. The heat works fine. The hot water is inconsistent. Sometimes I can get 30 seconds of hot water then it turns cold. If I wait 15 minutes I can get another 30 seconds of hot before it goes cold. In my latest test, I was able to get about 2 gallons of hot water in the tub before it went cold. Sometimes i can get consitent hot water and sometimes not. I have no idea how this type of water heater works, and my landlord knows nothing about it and insists it works fine. It was inspected 6 mo ago, the boiler is only 2 years old. The boiler is a Burnham V8 series if that helps.

    • ANSWER:
      There are a couple of things that could be going on. The first answer is based on your system being a tankless summer-winter hook-up. With this system there is no holding tank, but a water coil within the boiler for domestic hot water. In turn, this system has two types of operational modes:

      a) Older system - the boiler maintains a constant standing temperature summer and winter, and when the system calls for hot water the internal temperature drops, the burner fires and then more hot water is made. In this case, you will get about 30 seconds of very hot water from the standing mode, a sudden drop for a few moments until the boiler water thermostat is tripped and it fires, then (you should be getting) constant hot water albeit at a slightly lower temperature. These are the least efficient types, but typically make good hot water and a lot of it.

      b) Newer System - There is a flow-valve that triggers the burner which makes hot water only on demand. These are much more efficient but you may have to wait a few moments to a minute or so until you get hot water. From what you describe, you do not have this system.

      Tank-Type systems (second answer): With these type systems, there is a standing water tank that is heated by the boiler as-needed, and the boiler only responds to the tank temperature, not demand or flow. These systems are very like a conventional separate water heater with capacity based on the size of the tank.

      All that preliminary stuff being written, here are the answers:

      1a. If your boiler has a faulty thermostat, or the sensor is dirty, it may not respond immediately to water demand. Solving this problem is very likely simply a matter of replacing the probe or thermocouple sensing the coil temperature.

      1b. If you have a demand-type system, the flow-switch is probably faulty and so not tripping the burner or failing after a brief period. In this case, you would replace the flow-switch. But, again, I don't think you have this system.

      2a. The tank thermostat is either faulty or set too low. Check for both possibilities.
      2b. The water tank is connected backwards - the input to the output side and vice-versa. Water is drawn off the top and enters at the bottom of the tank via a 'dip-tube' so that the cold water gradually rises within the tank being heated in the meantime. With relatively low flow, the heat may be able to keep up with the flow such that even if cold water is going in the top you get enough hot water at the bottom to satisfy. But with high flow, the cold entering water will drop to the bottom of the tank and then go out the dip-tube. Make sure that the tank is connected properly.

      Good luck with it.

43. QUESTION:
    Need help lighting pilot light on gas water heater - electric lighter type.?
    I have a whirlpool hot water heater with an electric pilot light - the kind where you push the ignition button and the spark lights the flame. The pilot light is out and I am at my wit's end trying to relight it. I follow all of the directions: (1) Turn knob to pilot (2) press and hold the red button (3) press the ignition button repeatedly. I can see the spark each time I press the ignition button, but there is never a flame. I believe the gas is fine because the A/C is working.

    This has happened before and I called someone to come help. I paid 75 bucks for him to come in and do exactly what I thought I'd been doing all along - and somehow it worked for him. Needless to say I don't want to pay again for something that seems so simple. Very frustrating. I need a shower...

    Please help! THANK YOU!

    • ANSWER:
      The one thing you didn't mention in your explanation of what you've been doing to try to light this pilot is to turn the control knob on top of the thermostat/gas valve to the pilot starting position. That's the place where there's a half circle cutout, that lets the pilot button go down far enough to open the valve inside and let gas flow to the pilot. If that's not the problem then, other than telling you to just keep trying, there's not much else to do, other than taking the whole metal door off and lighting it with a butane match. Personally, I'm in the water heater business, installations and repairs, and I literally HATE!!!!!!!!! these stupid piezo igniters. This is, by far, the dumbest thing anyone could possibly have done to a unit that's worked fine for over 75 years.

44. QUESTION:
    What kind of water heater would you put in?
    I have a hot water maker which is heated by the furnace (boiler) it is powered by propane. This heater is costing me a fortune for hot water during the summer. I have to heat the boiler to get hot water and then the thing is hot and heats up the area it is in. To put in an electric hot water heater would cost a lot due to the fact I would have a ton of electrical work to do.
    I think a tankless would suck because of the hardness of the water also my wife like her water hot. . A propane tank type seems the best option.
    Solar is not an option due to the amount of sun we get any ideas?

    • ANSWER:
      You have answered your own question. Please buy an energy efficient one to save our environment. If you have cold well water you may want to install a temper tank. A temper tank is just a tank to let the water stand and warm to room temperature before going in the water heater. It may save only a few pounds of gas a year but a pound of gas saved is one you never have to pay for. It will also be better for thee environment.

45. QUESTION:
    water filter for hot water?
    can I use a regular water filter to filter the hot water in my kitchen sink? For some reason I am getting settlement in my hot water to the kitchen which causes the faucet to clog..It does not bother in the bath and washer machine...I want to put a filter of some type in the line..It is not like the hot water will be running through it all the time..Only when doing a few dishs or what ever...I am getting tired of tearing the thing apart all the time..Myself,it seems like a regular filter will work but the Home Depot man said the PVC will not hold up..Please help me here...Thanks......Oh and the water is filtered before the water heater....

    • ANSWER:
      if your having issues with the hot side only, it appears your sediment is coming from your hot water-heater.i would recommend flushing the tank only if its a few years old. if its an older water heater, you will not fully remove any sediment sitting at the bottom of your tank. otherwise, you might look into replacing it completely. if you do install a water filter, do check the temperature rating on the filter. these pvc water filters do have a maximum temperature rating they can operate at. your water heater should be set from 110 to 120 degrees.....

46. QUESTION:
    hot water imersion cable?
    what is the correct size and type of cable to an imersion heater on a hot water cylinder,theres already a fused spur but not a cable,am prety sure it has to be heat resistant but thts all i know

    • ANSWER:
      The cable should be 1.5² mm 3 core Butyl flex Ref. 3183TQ (Heat resisting to 85°C) Rated at 20a. (2.5² is a bit overkill for a 3kw heater and you may have difficulty terminating it.) A fused spur is not recommended for this type of load, the fuse will only last a short time, as it will be running at full load much of the time. Should be a DP isolator, but you can't fit that if it's supplied off a ring circuit,(Should not be!) only if it is a final circuit 15/20a MCB.

47. QUESTION:
    my hot water smells like gas!?
    My hot water has been smelling like gas for the last 24 hours. This is not a surfer smell. it is more like a propane type of smell. It makes me cough when I run the water and I am worried. my water heater is electric and we have no gas that is used in the apt. building! My apartment manager is excusing this as 'the city must have put something in the water' but none of my neighbors are having the problem! I am worried that this is dangerous. I already have asthma and am worried because even after I leave the bathroom or kitchen I have trouble breathing. I have to go to my neighbors house to shower~!!!! please help me.

    • ANSWER:
      When sulfur meets water, it smells like gas. If that's been checked out and not that, your water heater has a mixing valve, look for something in your house that has a backflow preventer. It may be backing up and contaminating your system.

48. QUESTION:
    Pilot light is on, hot water is on, but no heat in the house?
    Hey guys I can't seem to figure something out. I live in an old house I am unsure of what type of furnace I have but we have had no heat for 2 days (I live in NJ its starting to get cold!) But the problem is that I DO have hot water but I don't have any heat coming through the house. I figured it was the Pilot light, it is not because it is already lit. The emergency switch is set to on so thats not it. One pipe brings gas into the house and it splits right before it gets to the water heater and furnace (one tube goes to the furnace the other half goes to the water heater). I checked to make sure all valves are open and they are. I made sure the furnace was set to "on" and not "pilot" or "off". On the instructions it says to turn on all electrical equipment to the appliance but i don't see any so idk what that means.

    Any help???
    On more thing. I opened up the panel and I smell no gas nor is anything but the pilot light lit
    I am not sure but i don't think its water heat because they don't look big enough to be radiators...but there is no connection between the furnace and the boiler
    Thanks Stan! I know my house runs on fuses so this very well could be the issue. Now is the fuse in a box away from the furnace or actually on it. Cause I opened up an electrical box that was on the furnace but I saw no fuse there.
    my house was built in 1902 so it is very old

    • ANSWER:
      Not sure what type of heating you have if its blown air or radiators, you didn't say, but if radiators have you checked the water pressure indicator on your boiler, if there is one or the header tank again if there is one, if the pilot is on and no heat normally means no water to be heated (if a water system of course)

49. QUESTION:
    Why do my water pipes hum when the water is used if I have mechanical shock arrestors on my washing machine?
    location:WI

    I always hear the water pipes hum for about 10-20 seconds even when the water isn't being used. 6 months ago we had a new water heater installed in our home. Could that be it or could the mechanical shock arrestors be at fault even though they are just connected to the washing machine.

    The humming occurs when any type of water is used, cold or hot. Faucet, sink, shower, toilet flushes,etc.....

    • ANSWER:
      If you don’t have a loose pipe, which was previously suggested, then you should have “air stacks” installed. These are short pieces of pipe installed on the system at the highest points. They’re great for silencing noisy pipes.

50. QUESTION:
    shower pump or other type of pump?
    Hi

    I have a large capacity portable instant water heater (the type used to heat water for coffees in a hot dog van) and no other source of hot water. I want to find a way to cyphon / suck / pump this water up to a shower head to create an improvised shower. I am quite happy to heat the water to the desired temperature first - so that is not the problem.

    Essentially, how do I turn a small reservoir of heated. ready-to-use water into a shower spray?

    Any ideas / tips / leads on what I need to do this?

    I live in an industrial building on a shorthold tenancy so therefore would like as little hassle & expense as possible, and would like to be able to do the job myself. And, the more "portable" the better (so I can take it with me when I leave - also, so I can fairly easily change which room it is in if needs be.)

    Please note I am in the UK so no Americentric answers please!

    Appreciate all your help....

    • ANSWER:
      Would it work to attach a garden hose to the heater's input and another one to the output? Then you can run your hot water anywhere the hose can reach.