Hot Water Heater System

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Where should I sell cast iron radiant hot water heater system in 1903 house?
   I just bought a house that was built in 1903. It's only source of heat is a gas powered hot water radiant system. The radiators are beautiful but half of them have been removed and I am not interested in buying new ones and getting a new furnace. Does anyone know where I would be most likely to get the best price if I were to sell? This would go toward a new gas furnace and duct work for forced air.

   Thanks for reading

   • ANSWER:
     Metal salvage yard.

     They have next to no value except as scrap.

     Sorry..

2. QUESTION:
   What conditions make an evacuated tube hot water heater system the best choice?

   • ANSWER:
     Bryan C
     You will fine the answer to your question here:
     (the key is vacuum. see page 3 on the pdf)
     http://www.enviro-friendly.com/Endless-Solar-Advantage.pdf

3. QUESTION:
   What conditions make a batch style hot water heater system the best choice?

   • ANSWER:
     I am familiar with the tank type and the tankless. I don't consider either to be batch, which would be like boiling water on the stove and pouring it out before heating another. In the tank type, cold water is admitted anytime hot water is drawn with a dip tube keeping the cold water near the bottom so the water drawn is hot as long as possible. In a tankless the water is heated as it is drawn, perhaps with a small header tank. It is much more expensive to buy, but is convenient because it is near the fauscet so gives nearly instant hot water where a tank type is commonly installed near other utilities and has a pipe of some length with cooled water in it to drain off. The tankless gets even more expensive if several are needed for scattered use (laundry, bathroom, kitchen.)

4. QUESTION:
   How do I make a solar hot water heater system for free.?

   • ANSWER:
     Take your garden hose up on your roof and lay it in a circular pattern so as to expose it to the sunlight attach a spray nozzle on the end and turn on the water . Wait one hour for the water to warm up and then you can go back on the roof and take a hot shower . Test water temp first as it may be too hot . For longer showers add more hose .

5. QUESTION:
   How do you drain off a hot water return pipe on a large hot water heater system?

   • ANSWER:
     Break the vacuum up high and open it up down low, and all the water will fall out.

6. QUESTION:
   Solar hot water heater with seperated panels and a vertical tank system.?
   In a solar hot water system where the solar panels are placed on the roof but the collector is placed on the ground, how much energy is required to pump the heated water from the panels on the roof to the collector on the floor?

   • ANSWER:
     Depending on the distance the collectors are from the tank, and the size of the pipes, a Taco 006 is often used. It is a 1/40th HP pump and draws 60W. http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Water-Heaters/Solar-Hot-Water-Circulator-Pumps/Ac-Pumps/Taco-140-HP-Bronze-Pump-34-115-VAC-006-B4/p122/

     An alternative is to use a DC powered pump, like the Laing D5, and have it run off a 10 - 30W PV panel. http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Water-Heaters/Solar-Hot-Water-Circulator-Pumps/Dc-Pumps/Laing-D5720B-PV-Circulating-Pump-sweated/p6065/

7. QUESTION:
   Is it possible, or recommended to use tank less water heater to supplement a Solar Hot Water System?
   I'm working on a sustainable building for a school project and am hoping to save space by using tank less heaters as a back up for the on roof hot water system? any thoughts pro or con?

   • ANSWER:
     Absolutely, that's a great combination. The solar preheats the water, and the on-demand heater adds any additional heat if needed. However, make sure the on-demand heater has a couple of things.

     #1, make sure the manufacturer allows it to be used in combination with solar. Some companies will void their warranty if the incoming water is hot. Bosch makes a heater specifically for this use, the AquaStar Solar.

     #2, make sure the heater is modulating down to 0. In other words, if the water entering the heater is 120 degrees already from the solar, it should turn itself completely off and not add any more heat. If it's 90 degrees, it will only add 30 degrees. Otherwise, if it's a model that just automatically adds all the heat any time water goes through it, regardless of the temp, you won't be saving anything.

8. QUESTION:
   Would an inline water softener system prevent hard water sediment buildup in my hot water heater?
   I live in an area with very hard water, and have had to replace two water heaters in 6 years due to sediment buildup. If I were to put in a whole-house water softening system, would that solve / reduce the hot water heater sediment problem? (That would not be the only reason for installing the water softener.) Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     A water softener extends the life a just about all fixtures; water heater, faucets, shower heads, sprayers. And they keep nasty stains from forming on shower walls, tubs and sinks. Drain the tank and flush it every few weeks. This will also extend the life of your tank

9. QUESTION:
   how to build a solar hot water heater?
   I need a really good guide on how to build a solar hot water heater system. Anyone know of one they have used?

   • ANSWER:
     is this for camping or a home setup?
     what is your goal?

10. QUESTION:
    Can I use my water heater for a hot water baseboard heating system?
    I have a regular water heater for everyday use. Can I use it for a hot water baseboard heating system?

    • ANSWER:
      Baseboard typically needs 180-degree water on a cold day, which is much hotter than you'd use for your domestic hot water. You'd have to temper the domestic hot water to a bit more than half that temperature before you could use it, which is like driving a car with your foot on the gas and the brake at the same time. You pay to heat it up, only to cool it down.

      The other issue (and it's a BIG one) is that the water will lay still in the heating pipes during the warmer months. This becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and you'll be breathing that bacteria when you take a shower.

      If you're going to use the water heater, dedicate it only to heating and don't use it to make domestic hot water as well. Also, check with the local authorities; using a water heater for space heating is against the law in some parts of the country. Hope that helps!

11. QUESTION:
    How do you fix the combustion shutoff system on a hot water heater when it is tripped?
    The hot water heater will not stay lit. You get it lit and when you turn the water temperature up, it just goes out.

    • ANSWER:
      If it is LP or Natural gas it is probably the thermocouple has gone bad that controls the gas valve to ensure the pilot light is lite

12. QUESTION:
    Does the Apollo heating system require a special hot water heater ?
    Am ready to change out the existing hot water heater as it is 10 years old. I was told this Apollo system required a special hot water heater, looking at the existing it looks like any other one that I have seen. Looking for clarification & a possible installer.

    • ANSWER:
      If your speaking of the radiant heating system, you do need the special water heater. A regular water heater will not funtion properly and will void your warrenties.

13. QUESTION:
    Can I use a stranded water heater for a hot water baseboard heating system?
    I have a closed system that i am needing to replace the heater on. I was wondering if a standard water heater could keep up with the demand. It's a single zone system with only about 114 feet of pipe.
    thanks aaron
    It is 2 different ares and running 1" copper pipes with about 55 to 60 feet of pipe.

    • ANSWER:
      Some designs use the same water heater for baseboard heating systems and hot water use (laundry, bath & kitchen). If your baseboard pipes are 2" diameter, the 114 feet of pipe will contain 18 gallons of water. You may have to set the thermostat to a very high level to keep up with demand. Remember, the baseboard heaters are like radiators - they will cool the water as the water passes through the units. With a single zone system, the heaters near the end of the water flow may never get warm enough to heat the room.

      Is each heating unit fed by a separate pipe from a single common boiler through a manifold? That would be a better design than a single pipe feeding all of the units in series.

14. QUESTION:
    Is it best to turn a hot water system on and off or leave it on continually?
    We are running a 125 litre hot water heater for only two people. Its 15amp and single element I think. When we had solar heating, we got into the habit of turning the booster on and off accordingly. I'm wondering now, if we are energy saving by turning the current system off during the day and only flicking it on at night for a time? Or would it work out less expensive to let the thermostat regulate a permanent hot water temperature and in so doing, be using less energy overall? Its a balancing or juggling act I know but over a period of time, which approach makes more sense as far as costing less in power? Hot water usage is generally fairly conservative too and we don't really need the scalding temps when its on all the time, even in the middle of winter. (Thermostat not adjustable)

    • ANSWER:
      I think its best to leave it on, because if you turn it off, the water will get cold again and then take more energy to heat it up again... just a thought.

15. QUESTION:
    Tankless Hot Water System - cost savings?
    I am considering changing out our 10 year old electric hot water heater with an electric tankless system... I don't have access to gas/or lp.

    The benefits I see are that you only heat the water when you need it, and it doesn't sit in the tank waiting...

    The thing I have trouble wrapping my head around is going from tank electric to tankless electric - it seems like a wash - i.e still using electricity.

    Is there a significant savings in going to tankless... even if I select an electric tankless system.

    • ANSWER:
      it will pay for itself. hot water on demand, wrap your head around not heating water when you dont need it.

16. QUESTION:
    My Hot Water System needs replacing and I have heard that Electric Hot Water Heaters are banned is that true?
    My Electric Hot Water System is Leaking and needs replacing or updating & Im not sure what I need to purchase? Can I just get the same system or do I need a modern eco friendly one cause ive heard electric ones are now banned? Also can I install it myself or do I need a qualified Plumber?
    Im Located In Sydney Australia! Maybe Its A New Regulation just for Australia that electric hot water systems are banned and need replacing?

    • ANSWER:
      Electric hot water systems are currently not banned, but the Government in Australia is planning to eliminate them by 2012. The Government wants Australian residents to install environmentally friendly units. They are recommending if your area has a gas line that a gas instantaneous or storage unit be installed. As for electric units solar electric boosted & heat pumps are recommended. Only a licensed plumber with a restricted electrical license is allowed to disconnect electric hot water systems. All electric hot water systems should be installed with the correct fittings and valves as this may void warranty.Hot water systems should be taken seriously and installed to your australian standards . Maincorp Plumbing is your local Sydney Hot Water Specialist installing new Hot Water Systems including major brands such as Rheem, Dux, Bosch & Rinnai. Maincorp Plumbing sydneys local plumbers are more than happy to advise you or assist you with a new Hot Water System installation in the Sydney area. Please feel free to take a look at our site or contact us on 1300 79 77 88
      http://www.maincorpplumbing.com.au/index.php/services/hot-water-systems

17. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know how many kwh an electric hot water heater uses per month?
    Wondering if a solar hot water system is a cost effective alternative?
    I use 2333 KWH per month?
    I use 2333 KWH per month?

    • ANSWER:
      depend on how much usage

18. QUESTION:
    Which hot water heater is best for this application?
    Have a boiler hot water heater. It is ok in the winter but it really stinks in the summer. Last spring I built a solar heater to preheat the water (it cost me about 300 bucks) It has almost paid for itself in addition I have more hot water. I would like to just shut the boiler down in the summer and run it in the winter. What kind of hot water heating system can someone recommend for the summer? I thought about tank less, electric or LP or a small electric tank.

    • ANSWER:
      It will depend on how much hot water you will be using if you have more than 3 people in your house I would go to a regular heater. or if you have a high demand for such as a jet tub if it is just you and your other I would get a tank less. I have one in my cabin and it is nice and care free system.

19. QUESTION:
    why do i have water lines running from my hot water heater to my hvac system?

    it is an electric system, combined heat and cooling.
    one water line goes to the pop-off valve on the hot water heater, the other goes to the drain valve on the hot water heater.

    • ANSWER:
      The pop off valve is a safety valve so when your heater over temps or over pressurize in opens. Some areas require that this valve be piped to the nearest drain for safety so no one get scalded. The fact that this valve and the drain valve are piped together in the installers way of saving time and money during installation.

20. QUESTION:
    Installing a recirculating pump on a solar hot water heater?
    I'm having a solar hot water system installed in my new home. The exchanger in the tank is somewhat backwards in that the tank holds the solar heated water and the domestic hot water runs through the exchanger. My question is: How is the recirculating line connected to this system? I was thinking of connecting it to the incoming cold line (with a check valve on the recirc side).

    • ANSWER:
      most circulating pumps are installed on the return line. I had a high limit control mounted on my supply line so as if the supply water got too hot it would shut off the boiler. I'm not sure of what's involved in the solar system though. Hope this is helpful.

21. QUESTION:
    Hot water heater Help!! GEO Thermal System?
    My electric hot water heater keeps expelling hot water from the long PVC tube on the side. I have a GEO Thermal system.Thehot water has been turning cold on and off for a few weeks.I have been hitting reset to resolve this for now.Now the water is expelling 2 times in 4 days flooding basement.I can't afford a new heater right now.Any ideas?
    My heater is about 12 years old.They keep wanting e to replace it.heir price 950.00 Crazy 60 gallon.Lowes has 300 to 500 modela and I can pay someone to put it in.Here's the problem.I have no Money.I'm trying but last 6 monhs has been killer for me.I'm in Real Estate, or at least i was....

    • ANSWER:
      There are two things you can try. One the pipe that leaks all the time, you will find a valve and a handle, this is your emergency hot water release valve. Now, two things are happening here, either your hot water is set to high or the valve is sticking, really three things, the valve is shot. Try to engage the valve by slightly opening it and shutting it by hand. Hot water is going to come out the bottom so be careful if it will move try this several times and see if it will stay shut. If not, you will have to shut every thing down and replace it. Check your temperature on your adjustment dial and see how hot you have it set. 140 should be plenty hot.

22. QUESTION:
    does a tankless on demand system totally eleminate the hot water heater?

    • ANSWER:
      also know as "on demand water heaters" they replace your normal storage tank style water heater. it cost about 0 at home depot/lowes

23. QUESTION:
    Can you get a tankless hot water heater that runs on heating oil?
    Just wondering the availability of tankless hot water systems that run on heating oil. I do not have propane or nat gas in my house and would not want to go electric.
    What is the best alternative? What kind of payback time am I looking at with something like this, I am likely selling the house next year, should I not even bother with this....

    • ANSWER:
      You won't have time to re-coup your investment in 1 year. As far as an oil burner, you would have to do a search of all the major manufacturers. I have never heard of one, but there might be one somewhere. Good luck!

24. QUESTION:
    We have installed a 100 litre solar heater of Kalison brand. The system does not give proper hot water by sun.?
    The system does not give proper hot water by sun alone and it has to be worked on electric back up. The supplier says that the electric back up has to run even in sunny days. Is it the fault of Brand or a usuall feature of solar heater system?

    • ANSWER:
      Solar heaters only warm the water, they do not give Hot water. They have to be backed up by a heater for hot water. The principle of solar heating is that you only have to use half the amount of heat to get hot water . This is how you make a saving on energy bills.

25. QUESTION:
    Need help with plumbing issue - noisy pipes/hot water heater?
    We recently had a pressure regulatore valve installed. The entire water system was shut down. Prior to this time when we used the water we did not hear any knocking in the pipes or the hot water heater.

    Since the installation of the PRV everytime we use the hot water we hear knocking in the pipes and hot water heater while the water is running and after it it turned off for about 10 minutes.

    Any ideas of what this could be? We have a water softener too.

    • ANSWER:
      When water is heated it expands. Water cannot compress so the added volume from expansion needs to go somewhere.It used to just push out into the water system. When the prv was added it also added a check valve (internal to the prv).Now the expanded water volume can't back into the system so the pressure builds until you open a faucet. The simple fix is to install a potable water expansion tank in your cold supply line.

26. QUESTION:
    What is a fair installation price for a 40 gallon hot water heater located in attic and has existing piping?
    I am replacing a water heater...it is a two heater system piped together as one. I only need to replace one of them.
    5 for labor only?

    • ANSWER:
      The company i work for does it for 5
      * to supply and install.

27. QUESTION:
    Short cycling and hot water fluxuating on well water system?
    We are on a well system. The house was built in 1977 and has (I suspect) the original pressure tank which is pretty small. We had a tankless hot water heater put in when we purchased the house. We also had the pressure tank "recharged" due to short cycling that was noticed during the inspection (this was about 6 months ago).
    We have a problem with the hot water cycling on and off. It does not happen all the time. Usually when we are using the water for the first time for the day (eg: taking a morning shower). The water will cycle from extremely hot to extremely cold. The pump seems to be cycling every 10-15 sec. when the water is on (even when the hot water is not cycling). Eventually the cycling stops, but not sure what the trigger is.
    Any suggestions? Is the problem with my pressure tank or my hot water heater? I'm tending to lean toward my pressure tank...

    • ANSWER:
      okay I wanna help you troubleshoot this problem do what I say here and it's pretty quick turn off power to pump. drain system of pressure by opening a faucet and allowing the water to run out when it has stopped completely check air pressure in tank depending on what switch you have (20/40 30/50 40/60 50/70) there should be 5 lbs less than the cut on point 20/40 would be 15lbs 30/50 would be 25lbs and so on. If you have little air in tank, less than 5 lbs time to replace tank more than 5lbs you can try to fill it with the appropriate amount of air and see if it will hold the pressure alot of the time you can't hear an air leak on a pressure tank so it's hard to diagnose if you fill the tank and turn the pump back on wait until pressure has built up and pump has shut off run a faucet and see if you have air sputtering out while cold water is running don't run hot until your sure you have no air trouble especially if it's an electric water heater. If thats not the case something on the water heater inlet or outlet is plugged either with iron or some debris sometimes when you have a treatment system some calcite may escape into the house and plug up airators depending on what model heater you got it may have some kind of screen or baffle that could trap foriegn obgects anyway check that stuff out and if that aint it feel free to IM me @ plumbinmonkey@yahoo.com

28. QUESTION:
    Considering installing a tankless, gas water heater system and underfloor heating--any experience with this?
    We have an area to heat an a-frame which is approximately 750 sq feet. It will have to support one full bathroom and one guest bathroom as well as an apartment size clothes washer and a kitchen with hot water.
    Though these tankless systems are very efficient and all over Europe, they are quite uncommon in the US. Are there problems or is it just that the initial cash outlay is considerably higher?

    • ANSWER:
      hi I live in the Uk I had what you call a tank less system for 20 years [combi boiler] is now a condensing a boiler.
      there are the most efficient way of heating water the advantages are you don,t store water other than what is in you radiator system the only disadvantage I have found is it takes a few moments longer for domestic hot water to start flowing as you are not storing hot water. Finally the boiler its self needs very little maintenance but it is expensive to install

29. QUESTION:
    I turned on the water system in my RV this spring. I have hot water coming for a few seconds then Cold? Help?
    Hot water heater is working fine. Hot water starts coming right away but then quits within seconds. Anyone have an Idea what might be wrong?

    • ANSWER:
      Sounds like the pilot light is the only thing working on the hot water heater..... The burner is not igniting therefore only a little hot water ( from the pilot light) is coming out.... You need to make sure that it is igniting the burner. Make sure that the knob is in the on position and not just the pilot position......

30. QUESTION:
    serious plumbers only,what is the reason for the imersion heaters in our hot water system getting coroded?
    we use granular salt in our water but the imersion heaters lasts about 6 months. test on the water shows all is fine as we have our own bore hole.we had a specialist in who says that the heaters need to be taken out when the cylinder is not in use, surely this is not right.

    • ANSWER:
      Why do you use granular salt? this is only required if you have an ion exchange water softener fitted to the supply.

      If your bore hole is supplying hard water then this would certainly cause scale to build up on the immersion heater, but merely adding salt won't help at all.

      I have a softener fitted to my hard water supply and so far the last immersion heater and tank that I fitted is now over fifteen years old with no problems at all.

      If you like, contact me via e-mail, where possibly you can be a bit more specific, and I can help a bit more.

31. QUESTION:
    Gas, Electric, or Hot water on demand? ($ hot water heater $)? more....?
    I got a gas hot water heater and I recently heard that Columbia Gas of Ohio is seeking to get a 'across the board' flat rate increase on distributing charges. I didn`t think this was at all fair since I am single and use very little hot water in the summer months. It looks like more corporate welfare. Im considering closing the gas account off in the summer months and/or using a electric or hot water on demand system....Any suggestions on which is more cost effective?

    • ANSWER:
      tankless heater and vote democrat so you will be protected from corperate thieves

32. QUESTION:
    Why would an expansion tank be used in a home's hot water system?
    I was reading the specifications of a residential water heater online, and they said that the water heater was capable of being hooked up to an expansion tank. I didn't know what an expansion tank was, so I looked it up. I read the Wikipedia article, but I still don't understand why such a tank would be necessary. I have never seen a home with one.

    Can someone give some examples of situations that would cause an expansion tank to be needed?

    • ANSWER:
      In the UK (until the EU interfered) expansion tanks were a common part of central heating systems. The system vented via an open pipe which terminated over a 5 gallon tank. The tank had a ball valve connection to the rising main and provided a feed to the system. It was therefore a simple, foolproof safety system. If the water in the system overheated because of a faulty thermostat for example boiling water could be safely ejected into the tank. As the system cooled and contracted the tank would fill up the system ensuring the water levels were always at a safe level. This rarely happened; it was just there in case it did.

      Now, closed systems have replaced this.

33. QUESTION:
    what is the best way to insulate my water system for winter?
    we operate our own rain water catchment system, complete with water pump, pressure tank, filter system, and paloma hot water heater. Our big 4000 gallon tank is located outside, and with winter fast approaching here in southeast alaska, we need to find the best solution for insulating that intake pipe. the use of heat tape seems inevitable, but it will use a tremendous amount of power (we run a diesel generator, which proves to be very expensive)

    • ANSWER:
      Self regulating Trace Heating would do it - you're definitely going to have to put some energy into the pipe - insulating alone woun't do it as the heat will still very slowly escape.

      RayChem do a elctrical tape here in the UK that changes it's heat out put with the temperature, sort of a built in thermostat.

      This'll mean that you don't waste energy like you would with "an always on" system.

      Once you've got your heating tape on, THEN insulate as much as you can - so that the heat stays in the water and as little as possible escapes out.

      The only other alternative would be to use the waste heat from your generator... would it be possible to run a small pipe from the radiator of your diesel engine and pump this along the lenght of your pipe and back? and then insulate the two pipes together?
      you'd need to pump it.

      anyway good luck

34. QUESTION:
    I have a hot water heater with boiler in and outlets- does all my hot water go through these?
    I'm just wondering if hot water I use for washing hands, showering, and cooking goes through my entire baseboard water heating system or if there are two separate hot water storage areas in the tank?

    • ANSWER:
      There is only one hot water tank inside your boiler for all your hot water needs

35. QUESTION:
    How difficult is it to change the MagRod in a Hot water heater?
    Because I use a Culligan Water treatment system I get a rotten egg smell from the hot water, I guess from reaction to the MagRod.

    • ANSWER:
      http://www.smellywater.com/

      Smelly hot water. Rotten egg odor. Black water. Discolored laundry. Is your water heater cursed? And yeah, it's a situation that stinks.

      The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor. The problem is most common in well systems, either private or municipal.

      Softening can make smelly water much worse.

      What not to do to get rid of smelly water
      We've heard of plumbers or handymen advising people to remove the sacrificial anodes from their water heaters as a solution to smelly water. It's a solution all right, but one that will ensure your water heater rusts out in record time. There is a reason why removing an anode voids the warranty.

      Additionally, people have been told to replace a magnesium anode with an aluminum one. Don't. Aluminum causes just as many rotten eggs as magnesium.

      This won't fix stinky water forever, but it's a start
      Cheap, simple, effective, but not forever. Shut off the cold water valve to your water heater, open a hot faucet somewhere in your house to relieve pressure, drain some water from the tank, open the plumbing on one side, and dump in a few pints of hydrogen peroxide. Close everything up, turn on the cold water again, and let some water run from all spigots and taps. You should be odor-free until the next time you go out of town and allow the water heater to sit, unused. Then you'll have the problem again. For details on this procedure, go to Know-how.

      By the way: use peroxide, not chlorine bleach. Either will work, but peroxide is much safer.

      One caveat: if you have smelly water at one sink, but not all of them, dump the peroxide down the basin overflow, instead of into the water heater. Sometimes bacteria can build up in there, too.

      The complete fix, in most cases ...
      Very often, replacing the standard magnesium or aluminum anode rod with an aluminum/zinc alloy anode will solve the problem. The zinc is a key ingredient, since pure aluminum anodes will also reek to high heaven.

      For most folks, an aluminum/zinc anode is the cheapest fix for this problem and we urge you to try it first before considering the alternatives. Unless you soften your water. More on that in a moment.

      ... but, if you have well water and soften, too
      We have had a few people buy an aluminum/zinc anode and the odor didn't go away. That's vexing for them and us. The cases involved well water that was being softened. Softening can speed up anode consumption by increasing the conductivity of the water. That can increase the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas produced.

      So we've started offering powered anode rods. A sacrificial anode creates an electrical reaction inside a water heater as it corrodes. A powered anode does the same by feeding electricity into the tank. Since there is no magnesium or aluminum, there's no smell. We don't recommend them for everybody, though, because they're several times more expensive than sacrificial anodes.

36. QUESTION:
    how do i remove my anode rode from hot water heater?
    I just got a water cleaning system in my house and they told me i have to take out my anode rod from my hot water tank. how do i do this?

    • ANSWER:
      It is a rod that is suspended from the top of the tank, so look up there. You need to turn off the water and power/gas before messing with it. You might reconsider and hire a plumber, however. See below.

37. QUESTION:
    What will happen if the household heating and air conditioning system runs without the hot water input?
    The water heater and heating and air conditioning system are independent, except that the heating and air conditioning system has hot water and cold water lines running into it.

    • ANSWER:
      its almost sounds as if u have a geo thermal unit or a boiler type unit and if so those lines are needed unless its just a cold water line for a humidifier unit and those u can shut off

38. QUESTION:
    why only some of my baseboard heaters work when they're all connected to the same forced hot water system?
    only three of the baseboards in my house are working, they are all on interior walls. but they are connected to the same forced hot water system as the ones that arenot working. last year whenever the heater kicked on there would be a wooshing sound from the water going through the pipes, but not this time. i felt all the pipes in the basement and they all are hot, so what gives?

    • ANSWER:
      There are a couple of reasons. First do you have "zones" or multiple thermostats in your house? Perhaps the units that are not working are on a different zone, and the solenoid valve which controls it is not opening and allowing hot water to circulate.

      The most likely cause (based on your description of the sounds your system made) is that you have lots of air in the pipes. You should not hear rushing water in your pipes if they are full. You system needs to be bled, and perhaps the make up water line needs to be checked as well. This should be a pretty easy fix (cheap) for a plumber.

39. QUESTION:
    Plz Help Me.........How does a boiler function to make the solar hot water system work.?
    I have this assessment to do and i am really confused....??? The Question asks....Describe the function of the following parts of the solar hot water system....and here are the things
    (a)Boiler
    (b)Pump
    (c)Water tank

    My assessment was to....Design a Solar Hot Water Heater no bigger that will fit into a shoe box that will heat 250mL of tap water by at least 10C in 30min.........

    I would really appreciate it if you can please help me by answering those a,b and c questions.....THANK U ALL WHO DO BEST ANSWER 5 points

    • ANSWER:
      the boiler is the area where the water gets heated
      the pump transports that water to the water tank
      the water tank stores the water for when you want to use it

40. QUESTION:
    If a house is heated by natural gas and the heating system is a hot water system, how is it possible to have?
    heat but no hot water? One of my clients has this system but the water from the tap is not getting hot when I run it, yet his house is warm (it's cold outside here in Canada). When I told him he had no hot water he touched his heaters and said they were warm.

    • ANSWER:
      First off, you must realize that a hot water heating system has nothing to do with the water that you use in your home for bathing , laundry or doing dishes.

      The water heating system is comprised of a glycol based water mixture that is heated and circulated through heating coils throughout your home to heat your house.

      Your tap water (hot supply) comes from a water heater and is heated either by electricity or natural gas or propane.

      If you aren't getting much or any hot water through your taps, your problem may be minor or it could be time for a new water heater.

      If your water heater is heating water but not getting it hot enough, the first thing to do is to check the thermostat located on the lower front side of the water heater. It is usually located right beside the supply line and is probably a red dial. Check to see what the setting is as it may inadvertantly been bumped while cleaning the area which may have turned it down.

      If all seems well there, then you may need to replace the thermocoupler if it's gas fired. That could be failing and getting ready to stop working completely.

      Another problem may be the dip tube inside the water heater. Newer water heaters have a plastic dip tube which is the supply line inside the tank. These plastic tubes will eventually break down due to the heat of the water they are positioned in and melt away to basically nothing.

      If those aren't your problems then the final answer would be to replace the water heater completely.

      If you live in an area where the water is quite hard or has a lot of sodium in it such as well water of some locations, then the life of a water heater will be shorter then less hardened water.

      This is not something an average person should attempt to repair due to having to "break" gasline fittings to replace the water heater. Costs to get a new water heater vary in the area of 0.00 plus the labour to replace the unit.

      I work in a home building supply in Canada and the cost to replace the water heater and haul away the old one charged by our contractor is 9.00.

      Most home building centers such as Rona, Home Depot and even Canadian Tire have water heaters in stock as well as qualified personel to replace the unit.

      My advise is to "bite the bullet" so to speak and have a plumber take a look at it.

      Good luck in your venture.

41. QUESTION:
    How do I hang a heavy water heater unit from a cement block wall?
    We're trying to hang an auxilliary heater hooked into the hot water system, but aren't sure what will hold the weight [probably 125 pounds] , without tearing up the block. Several molly bolts, toggle bolts , ?????

    • ANSWER:
      I would build a welded bracket that will be large enough to hold the tank, and then mount that with masonry fasteners. I am still not sure that this is a good idea and not sure why your doing it, but good luck. remember, the tank weighs about 125 lbs, plus 7 more lbs for every gallon of water.

42. QUESTION:
    can I set up my hot water heater to run off the methene gas off of my areobic septic system?

    • ANSWER:
      I've never heard of this before. In the articles below, they all talk about anerobic digestion, not aerobic, so I'm guessing not.

43. QUESTION:
    Should there be any water coming back out of the hot water side of the water heater when disconnected?
    I just changed out a leaking hot water heater. After shutting off the inlet side of the water heater and draining the storage tank, water continued to flow down out of the outlet hose. I figured this was residual water left in that side of the system and it would stop when it all drained out. It continued for several hours at a constant rate. Is it normal for water to cross over from one side of the system to the other? If not, should it be fixed? and why?
    Is the leaking mixing valve causing any problems? Does it need to be fixed?

    • ANSWER:
      You have a mixing valve leaking back just turn the complete system off.

44. QUESTION:
    Why do u put the heater in the bottom of the hot water storage system?

    • ANSWER:
      there are 2 heat coils,

45. QUESTION:
    Will desktop hot water heaters heat the water to the point that most impurities in the system are destroyed?
    I work in downtown DC. Our office has a small kitchen and sink, but I am wary of drinking DC tap water. If I get a 16-ounce hot water heater, will the impurities generally be boiled away?

    Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      If you are actually boiling the water as opposed to just heating it, at least you know that you will be killing most microorganisms. Also any chlorine added to the water will be boiled out of the water. But as for impurities for example traces of lead, these won't be removed by boiling.

46. QUESTION:
    I have a hot water boiler furnace system. Where is the sediment coming from in my hot water appliances? ?
    I have a well, but I have filtration system on it. The sediment is coming from the hot water side. It is the consistency of sand, and the color is a reddish color. I do not have a water heater.

    • ANSWER:
      do you have a water softener or neutralizer ? the resin inside the cylinder might be coming out . if not i would think if it is only on the hot side the water temp might be forming the "sand " like substance from something in the water ?

47. QUESTION:
    Water Heater running out of hot water?
    So all of a sudden, our hot water runs out quicker than usual. It runs out after about 10-15 minutes in the shower.

    I have an electric water heater, probably 10+ years old. Elements were changed out about 3 or 4 years ago. Hard water system.

    I'm guessing this is probably another element going out? But which one? Top or bottom? How do I test it with a digital multimeter?

    Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Here is what I do (and I do it a lot) I go straight to the skinny after years of repairing these for my customers... Turn off the power, Drain the unit and pull the elements out. It will be obvious which one is bad and change the element. Re-fill the unit, turn the power back on and check the temp once the water has had time to heat up. Keep a spare element hanging on the wall. As a side note... if you do not have a water filter in-line before the water tank, do so and it will extend the life of the elements. Good Luck!

48. QUESTION:
    How long should a 75 gallon hot water heater old hot water?
    I have a large home but only 2 people. after 10 minutes the hot water is not gone but I can no longer make it hotter. I flushed the system recently and it seems as though that was not the issue. I would think that I could take a shower for an hour and not have a problem as I am having. It is 10 years old.
    This is a gas water heater.

    • ANSWER:
      Considering that you do have hot water for a while you can rule out having bad elements. Since the unit is 10 years old it is more likely that you have a defective dip tube. The dip tube forces the incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank so it does not mix with the hot water near the top. If the dip tube fails the cold and hot water mixes and you get lots of luke warm water.

      Many many dip tubes were recalled years ago because they were made from a plastic that dissolves in hot water. The recall is no longer going on so if that is your problem you will not get a free replacement.

      For about you can get a new dip tube. If you are handy you can install it yourself or pay a plumber for an hour of work. Of course since the water heater is 10 years old you might be better off replacing it.

      If you have real hard water you should consider replacing it. I have seed 20 year old water heaters still going fine and 10 year old units fail. It is your choice.

      Here is a good article on dip tubes.
      http://www.thehomeinspector.com/Clients/DipTube.html

49. QUESTION:
    Electriec hot water heater won't work?
    I was finishing up my hot water system last night, and had my hot water tank drained half empty. My main out for the tank was clamped off, and before turning on the power I refilled the tank, or so I thought. Turns out the tank remained half empty, as the main out for the tank was off. So, it sat half empty and power on all night. Won't get hot today now that It's been filled and my hot water system "completed." Reset buttons push in, but don't "Click." Is it on and I just can't hear it? Power meter outside doesn't seem to indicate that. Been several hours now, still no hot water. Any advice would help. Thanks, stinky and needs a shower, Mike.

    • ANSWER:
      Since the top half was empty when power was restored it would have very quickly blown the top element. In an electric water heater, the top element heats first until the top thermostat is satisfied, then power is transferred down to the bottom element. With the top element more than likely bad, the thermostat will never be satisfied, thereby never energizing the bottom element.

      Replace top element and all should be well.

50. 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