Hot Water Heater Tips

Hi. I need to install a new gas water heater tank. The old one was installed on the basement floor on an angle - about a 10 degree slope. Is it all right to install tanks on a slope like this? I'm concerned that the gas burner may not be able to heat the water in the tank evenly, because the flames would tend to go straight up. I'm also wondering if sediment would gather in the lowest point of the sloped tank (the point farthest away from the burner flame). What do you think?

Lloyd,
You need to install some steel shims under the legs of the new heater to get it level.

Hi, I have an electric hot water tank with a 6-year warranty due to expire soon. My condo association send me a letter me that I need to replace the tank. What is the deal? Why I cannot continue to use that tank and if it needs repairs I could pay out of pocket or replace it at that time?

Valentin,
Perhaps they are worried a leak will damage a condo below you. I think you should replace the anode rod and all will be fine. Go read all about that in some of my past water-heater columns.

my electric hot water tank shuts down were is the reset button and what causes this. i also have a second water tank hooked up to it thats not working.

When i run the hot water anywhere in my house the water comes out brown, but only the hot water not the cold. I went to the drain on the tank and alot of black and brown came out of the tap. Does this meen that i need a new tank or that i just have to drain it?

I am buying a older home and fixing it up. There is a hot water heater in a fairly big closet. I want to move it and have the Laundry room there. Can I move it? how hard is it to move it to a completely different area?

The hot water from my 3-yr old water heater suddenly has become very hot. I've turned down the temperature setting on the heater, but it seems to make no difference. I understand the scalding danger at the tap, but is there a danger to the heater unit itself or to my house? What could be the cause of this change and the solution?

what is the answer to moving the water heater?

I installed a new gas water heater and the condensation keeps tripping the safety by dripping on the burner so it only burns for about 1 minute. Is there a way to fix this so I can get out of hot water with the MRS.and in hot water in the tub?

If I'm trying to drain the sediment from an electric hot water tank that's only used for radiant floor heat. Do I need to do this differently so that I don't get air in my lines? Will the tank be able to precharge the lines afterward. Will I need to bleed the air somehow?
Thanks,
Eric

We are a family of 3 at the moment but may expand. We are in the process of switching to electric hot water instead of oil fired. I am told I should install a 60 gallon tank where I may expand my family. Is there much energy cost difference between running a 40 gallon tank vs a 60 gallon tank?

Hi - I have a 40 gal hot water heater that I am planning on replacing. It is in a utility room with a concrete floor about six inches higher than an adjacent garage so there is plenty of drainage available in the event of leaks. The present heater is set in an overflow pan, which,in turn, is set on a pair of 2x4s that lie on the floor (broad side down). My question is "Can you think of any safety or code reason not to install the replacement heater (in the overflow pan) directly on the floor -- eliminating the 2x4s?" Thanks.

HI,

I recently had an electric hot water heater installed. I shut down my oil burner for a few minutes to take the chill out of the house. However, I closed the valves like I was told, but now I am doubting myself. Should the valve to the burner lines be in the 90 degree angle or straight up now that I am ready to shut off my burner again?

Thanks!

Madeline

is it safe to put a hotwater heater next to the top of the stairs in a attic space im using for a bedroom for my kids

Hi,
I am wondering if it will do any damage to my well pump if I cut down a hot water heater cover and place it on it. It is located in the basement and it would seem that this might warm the water some and reduce the cost of heating the water. (I live in Maine) I am also wondering if that will reduce the condensation that accumulates in the summer.
Thanks!

Hey! I'm redesigning the inside of my home and I need to move the hot water heater. It will move about 10 feet to the right. Should I hire a gas company to move it or is it simple to do?

Our water heater shuts down often and needs to be reset. The water gets VERY hot (temp. is turned way down). A plumber installed a new thermostat, but that has not solved the problem. What can we do next?

Hi,
I just moved into a two story turn of the century home. IT was a foreclosure and about a month ago I replaceed the non-operable rusty electric water heater with a reliance 606 40 gal heater. The heater seems to function fine but my problem is that I only get lukewarm water in the upstairs bathroom no matter how high the thermostat is set. ther plumbing in the basement is a combo of galvanized to copper and the copper plumbing seems to warm up but I decided to insulate all the basement hot water line coming from the heater but that did not help either. There is a ways it has to travel through the plumbing configuration in the basement. It is winter in ohio but the basement really does'nt get that cold. I think I'll call the manufacturer today but if anyone has any idea of what might be going on let me know. Also the pressure is slightly weeker than the cold line.

Thanks

new hotwater tank fitted by plumber but hot water very limited only about 4inch in bath then water runs cold and not enough for a shower what is the problem

Hi, my condo unit needs a new water heater (each unit has its own heater). It is just me but I want to add a washer dryer. It was suggested that I will need a larger capacity water heater with a washer/dryer, what size is appropriate? Also, based on the above, should I go with a tankless or stay with the standard water heater? Any input much appreciated.

Dear Sir,
I have a electric water heater that recently makes the hot water is extremely hot. Later, it shuts off its own breaker. What is wrong?
The water heater is Bradfors-White MI50T6DS13.
Thank you.

I have just replaced my GE gas water heater with a new one 1 month ago. I only have hot water for approximately 1 minute then the water turns warm. I called GE and they sent me a new control assembly. I installed it and the same condition continues. I found my cold water line into the water heater is very hot. My water temp at the relief valve is 125 degrees, the book says it should be 160 degres at max temp. I never had any problems with my old water heater until it developed and internal water leak, eliminating any plumbing problems. Any thoughts?

Can anyone answer about moving the hot water heater? I'm in the same position as Kate

Does my water heater have anything to do with hot water coming out of my cold water faucett and filling my toilet with hot water? My heater has been turned down to low for a long time to save energy.

Can my water heater be causing hot water in my toilet?

My electric hot water has needed to be reset two times in the four months I have lived in this house. It is only three years old. Why does it shut off? Thank you.

Hi
I live in a building built in 2005. It is 26 units. Our hot water heater has been repaired on and off as it is consistently break down. We have been told by the builder this is typical and these units are meant to last own year and there is nothing under warranty. Is this typical procedure?

My pilot light won/t stay on. What do I do?

my hotwater hester runs i need to know what causes this and how to fix it

We had a 40 gallon John Wood gas hot water tank that was 3 years old. We have always set the temperature on "hot". We were recently informed by a technician that no hot water tank should ever be on the "highest" setting as this can shorten the life expectancy of the tank. Is this true?
Thank you!

we have a 6 yr warranty natual gas hot water heaterit is only 2yrs old and the piolet keeps going off. the plumer has been to my house 3 times he has cleaned it changed some part on it. but it still keeps going off the hot water heater is close to the wall do you think that has something to do with the piolet going off the other hot water heater never gave me trouble. this one is only closd to 2yrs .Pease help .what do you thing it my be. my husand is so upset with what these companies put you through and these warranties really do not coveranything. he just wants to put a new one in

I have a home in Northern Michigan with a large propane-fueled water heater. I am a teacher that heads up every three weeks or so and all vacations (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, summer, etc.). Is it more cost effective to leave the water heater at temperature all the time or turn it down to pilot and then back up when I arrive for a long weekend? More gas used to keep it on or reheating again every time?

Thanks

I just moved into a new house with a gas hot water heater in the basement.It was set too low so I turned it up a bit.There is quite a bit of moisture under it on the concrete floor.Is this normal?Can it cause a problem?Can it be fixed so it does not cause moisture?Please help.
Thank you.

My hot water from my electric water heater suddenly has become very hot. What would cause this change and the solution? Q

I am installing floor radiant heat in my 40X80 shop with 16 foot side walls. I am wondering how to size my electric water heater for heating the water. I would also like to know how much electricity it would take as well. I am trying to size a wind turbine for my outbuildings. I live in Southern Iowa.

I just replaced both elements and thermostats..... It has power on both ends, but is has been on for 6 hrs and the water is still not warm....