Water Heater Replacement Plumbing Codes

Posted on February 5, 2020 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

We here at Water Heaters Only, Inc. always make sure we tell our customers that we do all of our jobs “up to code”, but we realize many people don’t always know what that means. The code we are referring to is the California Plumbing Code. If you have ever had to do any major renovation or repair on your home, you likely had to get a permit from the city and that meant you had to follow certain guidelines, or codes, for the work to be done. All incorporated cities have a building inspection and/or code compliance department. If they don’t, then that job will typically fall to the county. Either way, there are codes for just about every type of repair and renovation and that includes water heater plumbing codes.

According to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the codes “attempt to minimize public risk by specifying technical standards of design, materials, workmanship and maintenance for plumbing systems.” Basically, these codes ensure that all repairs, replacements and installations are safe and effective, whether it’s installing a new bathroom or a water heater. Water Heaters Only makes sure that every one of our technicians are aware of all codes and any recent updates and we make sure to follow these codes as we have been doing now for over 50 years. For a full rundown of the required codes for water heater installations, visit our blog here.

Despite our knowledge of the plumbing codes, we realize that many people aren’t aware of them and so we thought it would be useful to go over some of the plumbing codes in the hopes of educating the public about how and why we go about performing our repairs and installations. However, before we go any further, it should be noted that each city and county can choose to implement these codes in different ways meaning that what is required in one city may not be required in another. It can get a little confusing, which is why it is so important to use a company that is up-to-date on all the latest codes.

CHAPTER 6: WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

PRESSURE REGULATORS

While most of our California Plumbing Code (CPC) blogs will be about information in Chapter 5: Water Heaters (obviously), in this post we will be discussing water pressure and that is covered in Chapter 6, section 608. Just for starters, water pressure is measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch. Whenever we go out to any

job whether it is for a repair or an installation, we always check the PSI. This is useful because it can help determine the cause of a problem such as a leak or a water heater failure. According to CPC Section 608.2, whenever water pressure exceeds 80 PSI, a pressure regulator is required if there isn’t already one installed.

A pressure regulator does exactly what it sounds like: it regulates the water pressure in the plumbing. High water pressure can not only damage a home’s plumbing but can also damage a water heater as well. Most homes have one, but not always. If we find a home has water pressure above 80 PSI and there isn’t a pressure regulator, we will always offer to install one. And if there is one but the pressure is still high, we will check to see of the current one has failed. Not only can any water pressure above 80 PSI be detrimental to the water heater and plumbing, it will also void the warranty on most water heaters. For more information about water pressure and pressure regulators, please read our blog here.

EXPANSION TANKS

Expansion tanks are an important part of minimizing damage to your water heater and plumbing and they are required in certain situations by the CPC. Basically, an expansion tank is a metal “bottle” that is used to relieve when thermal expansion occurs. The expansion tank had a bladder inside of it and when thermal expansion occurs, the expansion can be relieved temporarily by going into the tank. When the thermal expansion has stopped, the excess water goes back into the plumbing.

a water heater heater with an expansion tank

In the above section about pressure regulators, the CPC states that an expansion tank must be installed when a pressure regulator is installed. That’s because a pressure regulator causes the water to not be able to go back to the city main and is essentially locked into what is known as a “closed loop” plumbing system. It’s a closed loop because the water and thermal expansion, when it occurs, can’t go back to the city’s main water system located outside the home. In Section 608.3, the CPC also states that expansion tank must be installed if there is a check valve, backflow preventer or “other normally closed device that prevents dissipation of building pressure back into the water main”.

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES

Section 608.3 also mentions the use of pressure relief valves in conjunction with expansion tanks. Not only must an expansion tank be installed when part of a “closed loop system”, there must also be a combination temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve. For water heaters, these are typically located on the top of the water heater (though not always). Take a look at the picture above if you aren’t sure what the T&P looks like. These relief valves are set to relieve water and pressure after a certain PSI or temperature has been reached. These pressure relief valves need to also have a discharge pipe (Section 608.5), which has its own requirements such as:

The discharge pipe should discharge independently by gravity either into the drainage system or to the exterior of the building.
It must discharge in such a way that does not cause bodily harm or structural damage.
It cannot discharge into a water heater pan.

This is why you will typically see the T&P valve connected to a pipe that runs either alongside the wall to the outside or through the wall where it will be allowed to discharge in a safe place where no one may get hurt.

In conclusion, we hope this has been helpful information. One final note: As we mentioned in the beginning of this blog, each city may decide to implement the plumbing codes differently dependent on the situation. For example, in some areas the city inspector won’t require an expansion tank to be installed as long as there is a working T&P valve present. Also, an inspector may allow a T&P drain line to just discharge to the floor if the water heater is located in the garage. That’s why it’s so important to hire a company that knows the latest codes. For any further questions about water heater plumbing codes or to schedule an appointment with one of our water heater experts, just give us a call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 833-379-8800.

California Water Heaters And Earthquakes

Posted on July 8, 2019 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

Is Your California Water Heater Safe from Earthquakes

Earthquake strapping a water heater is critical in California, where earthquakes are a regular occurrence. From Los Angeles and San Diego, to San Francisco and Sacramento, earthquake damage in homes and businesses can happen without warning, and most of us don’t think about our water heater’s safety before an earthquake.

In California, the law requires that your gas or electric water heater must be properly attached to a wall, so that it will not fall or tilt to mush during an earthquake event and lead to a fire or a flood of your home. All homes, multi-family properties, offices, apartments and public buildings are required to have their water heater strapped securely.

In the first water heater photo, the water heater is NOT properly strapped and in the event of an earthquake will freely move / shake from side to side.

However in the second water heater photo, this water heater, on the other hand, is properly strapped. As you can see, it will have little, to no side-to-side movement in the event of an earthquake. It will also not fall off it’s platform.

After an earthquake the water heater also holds available cooking and drinking water in the event of an extended power outage. The new laws regarding strapping help to keep the tanks in place and strapping types and attachment hardware rules have been upgraded for safety since the Loma Prieta quake of 1989 and the Northridge earthquake of 1994.

If your water heater is older, you will want to have it inspected by a professional water heater installer to ensure that you have the current and safe strapping that is necessary. The correct connectors and lines can be installed and strapping and wall attachments can be upgraded.

Things To Know About Water Heater Strapping

30, 40 & 50 gallon water heaters require 2 straps
75 & 80 gallon water heaters require 3 straps
100 gallon water heaters require 4 straps
Strapping must be placed properly- the top 1/3 and the lower 1/3 of the water heater must be strapped to prevent rocking and tipping.

If you would like to inspect your water heater earthquake strapping yourself and find out if it is current to California law, earthquakecountry.org offers some good tips for proper attachment. https://www.earthquakecountry.org/step1/waterheater/

Water Heaters Only, Inc. has installed thousands of water heaters to California earthquake code standards, and we are happy to help you secure your water heater, for the safety of your family and your neighborhood.

After a quake, you want to check your water heater strapping, and be assured that there is no gas lines leaking that can start a devastating fire and burn your home, as well as checking that the water heater has not fallen over and leaking water lines have flooded your home, resulting in costly repairs. With proper earthquake strapping, your home will be much less likely to be devastated by an unfortunate water heater issue due to earthquake tilting.

These are 2 large commercial water heaters in a basement. One is strapped, but not properly and the other one is not strapped at all. This is a disaster waiting to happen, at least the tank with straps is less likely to cause a major gas leak, than the one with no straps.

Are you wondering if your water heater is up to code? Give us a call at [phone-local] and a trained technician will come out to your home and properly assess your water heater, and bring it up to code.

AO Smith Water Heater Recall

Posted on January 31, 2019 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc. | 13 Comments

AO Smith Water Heater Recall Resources

AO Smith Recall Website

Official A.O. Smith Recall Notice

On Nov. 8th, 2018, A.O. Smith announced it had recalled over 600,000 Ultra Low-Nox water heaters due to fire hazard. The fire hazard is due to the burner screen, which can develop tears in it. That can cause the burner to radiate excess heat and that could become a fire hazard for water heaters that are installed directly on floors made of wood or other combustible material.

According to the manufacturer, there have been six reports of fires, though no injuries have been reported. The size capacity of the water heaters being recalled are 30, 40 and 50 gallon models that run on natural gas or propane. They were manufactured between April 2011 and August 2016. An easy way to find out if your water heater is affected is to locate the serial number on the rating plate of your water.

How to locate the rating plate

Each rating plate can look a little different. Above is a sample of an A.O. Smith (top) and a Bradford White (bottom) rating plate (Bradford White Water Heaters ARE NOT Recalled).

For the A.O. Smith name brand units, the first four digits in the serial number represent the month and date. For example: a serial number starting with 1115, represents the 15th (April) week of 2011. The digits 1631 would represent the 31st week of 2016 (August). It can get very confusing, but if your serial number’s first four digits fall between those numbers, your water heater may be affected.

If you need help figuring out if your water heater is affected by the recall, go to the A.O. Smith recall website www.waterheaterrecall.com and put in your serial number. This will tell you if your water heater is part of the recall. All brand names manufactured by A.O. Smith are affected. So, it’s not only the serial number that you should be aware of you also want to make sure the brand you have is not part of the recall. See the list below for other brand names affected.

The brand names affected can include:

American
Whirlpool
Kenmore
Reliance
State
U.S. Craftsmaster

What to you do if your water heater has been recalled?

Turn off the water heater
Contact A.O. Smith
Work with A.O. Smith to determine if your unit is affected
Schedule a free A.O. Smith recall repair if your unit is affected

A.O. Smith recommends shutting the water heater down immediately by turning the water and gas off to the water heater. Please be aware that a short time after you turn the water heater off, you will not have any hot water. If you need assistance in shutting the water heater down give us a call at 833-379-8800 or follow our emergency shutdown instructions – click here. One of our water heater experts will be happy to help you. Once you have shut the water heater down, contact A.O. Smith. The company states that the issue can be resolved with a repair.

Water Heaters Only, Inc. does not repair the A. O. Smith recalled water heaters – please contact A.O. Smith directly. However, we are happy to help in locating the rating plate and deciphering the serial number of the water heater. For older units that are affected by this recall we can provide a replacement estimate and come out to replace the water heater, if that is preferred. However, we would not be installing another A.O. Smith brand water heater.

If your A.O. Smith water heater is still under warranty, we recommend dealing with A.O. Smith directly. We can not replace any A.O. Smith recalled water heaters under a warranty situation.

Water Heaters Only, Inc is and has been committed to water heater safety for [biz-years] years. You can always email or call us with any questions. We are happy to answer questions, help decipher serial numbers and guide you through the process of having a safe water heater operating in your home.

Water Heater Habits

Posted on March 7, 2017 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc. | 11 Comments

7 Habits of Highly Successful Water Heater Owners

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Have you thought much about your water heater lately? Most people do not think much about their water heater until they have a problem. Typically the first thing that is noticed is a lack of hot water, and then the investigating begins. Here are 7 tips that can help you become a successful water heater owner and keep you one step ahead so you do not end up spending valuable time dealing with a broken water heater. The benefit of being a successful water heater owner is longer tank life expectancy, lower energy bills, and the potential for little or no damage to occur as a result of water leakage. Also, being prepared with information will make the entire process easier when your tank needs to be repaired or replaced.

1. Know where your water heater is located and have clear access to reach it. This may sound simple, but sometimes it’s tucked away in an attic or basement and not easy to reach and after many years since a water heater is not something people often think about it can be forgotten – until there is no hot water.

2. Know what type of water heater you have, ie. natural gas, electric, propane or solar. Also knowing whether you have a storage tank type (hint: this is the most common type) or a tankless type water heater is helpful. Write down the model number and serial number of your water heater or at least know where this information is on the tank, it has the age and gallon capacity coded into it and is important for warranty purposes.

3. Know how to turn off the fuel or power supply to your water heater, once you know which type of unit you have, make sure you know how to turn off the gas or electricity to the unit. There should be a gas valve or a disconnect switch within a few feet of the water heater. It’s also a good idea to know where your main gas shut off valve is or which breaker is for the water heater in case the shut off near the water heater doesn’t work. If you need any special tools to turn the valves off or to open the break box keep those nearby and in clear sight. When you have water leaking all over it’s easy to panic, especially if it’s causing damage. Doing a little upfront work so you are prepared will make a big difference in this situation.

Insulation on the hot and cold lines of a newly installed water heater.

4. Know where the water shut off valve to the water heater is. Again, if you need special tools to turn the valve off have them nearby along with a stepladder in case the valve is above the water heater and you need to turn the water off quickly. Most shut off valves are located above the water heater on the cold side piping. See our blog post – How to turn off a leaking water if your not sure where your valve is.

5. Make sure the area around your water heater is clear and do not store anything with a few feet of your unit. This is a successful habit for a few reasons. First, if you have a gas fired (natural gas or propane) unit the water heater needs to “breath”. As the burner fires it need oxygen to burn the gas. When a water heater is smothered or does not have enough oxygen it can affect the efficiency of the unit, cause damage to the burner chamber and other water heater parts and even cause carbon monoxide leaks. Second, whether it is gas or electric if the unit starts to leak the water can be hidden from view or soak into what is being stored around it. This can cause a prolonged leak, which has the potential to cause more water damage and cause to water heater to reheat itself more often, wasting energy. Lastly, it is a fire hazard.

A happy water heater installation technician draining a water heater.

6. Drain or flush your water heater and complete an annual inspection. Maintaining your water heater is a very successful habit. It can affect life expectancy, energy efficiency and the safety of the unit over its lifetime. Once a year (maybe more often if there is a lot of sediment in your water) drain a few gallons out of the drain valve of your water heater. Use either a 5-gallon bucket or a garden hose and run it to a place where the hot water will not cause damage (do not drain it to your landscaping or lawn, hot water may kill the grass). If you notice a lot of sediment or debris then we recommend a full flush. This is where you empty the tank completely of water, then turn the water back on while the drain is open and let the water flow for a minute or so to help remove any lingering sediment or debris. For instructions on how to drain a water heater click here. If you are water wise you can turn your thermostat to vacation and let the water cool down – then it can be used for watering and will not damage your plants. It is best to turn the unit to vacation in the morning, say before going to work. Then drain the tank when you come home, once it has refilled turn the thermostat back to the desired setting and you should have hot water in approximately 1 hour. While you are draining or flushing the tank inspect the water heater. Start with the top and check for any leaks or heavy corrosion on the water pipes and the T/P overflow valve. For gas water heaters check that the draft hood is in place and make sure it is placed properly with a few inches of air space between the tank and where the draft hood connects to the vent. Once you have visually inspected the top check around the tank, for electric water heaters look for any signs of leaking, rust streaks or residue around or coming from the upper and/or lower panels covering the electrical components on the tank. If you have a gas water heater inspect the gas line and gas parts look for any corrosion or wear on the piping. Check the thermostat for corrosion or black soot marks. Inspect the area below the gas thermostat where the gas chamber is. If you noticed any back residue, soot or charred metal, this is a sign you may be having combustion issues and you should have the unit serviced by a professional. If you ever smell gas turn off the gas supply and contact a professional. Your visual inspection is complete if everything looks like it is in good shape your done, if you have concerns or think there are items that need service contact your local Water Heaters Only, Inc

7. Keep a Water Heaters Only, Inc emergency shut down sticker on your water heater. When you have problems with your unit, the sticker can help walk you through shutting of the gas and water and it has our 24-hour emergency phone number so you can give us a call if you are not sure what to do next or if you are having a problem with turning anything off. If you need a Water Heaters Only, Inc shut down sticker – email help@waterheatersonly.com and we are happy to mail one to you.

Have questions about maintaining your water heater? Give us a call 24/7 at [phone-local]

By John Heaters Google+ | Facebook

2015 Water Heater Energy Efficiency Changes

Posted on April 6, 2015 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

2015 Water Heater Energy Efficiency Changes

DOE 2015 Water Heater Energy Efficiency Changes Guidelines

It’s almost April 16^th and that means the new Department of Energy 2015 water heater energy efficiency changes will be going into effect soon. These new guidelines were instituted as a way to reduce emissions and reduce energy usage, but they are having the unintended effect of raising the cost of water heaters and water heater installations.

When the new guidelines were introduced, it was feared that the cost in some situations might increase dramatically. However, now that the manufacturers have actually started manufacturing the newer models, it appears that, when it comes to the standard 30, 40 and 50 gallon gas water heaters, the cost for an average installation may only increase by roughly $100. Now, that may seem like a lot, but since it was initially presumed that costs may double in some situations, a small increase like that is far more preferable. The concern initially was that the new water heaters would be considerably bigger than the previous models and require a damper on gas vented models; luckily, the manufacturers were able to make water heaters that were legal under the new guidelines but that weren’t dramatically different in size or shape.

Size Comparison Example

Type	Current Diameter	New NECA Diameter
40 Gallon Gas	18	20
50 Gallon Gas	20	22
40 Gallon Electric	18	20
50 Gallon Electric	20	22

One other option to consider for those who don’t have the space to fit a wider gas model water heater is to get a gas water heater with a power damper. These models are thinner and, in fact, are even more energy efficient than the new standard gas models. If this seems like an option you might consider, you should know that these models are taller than the average gas water heater, meaning they will need more space available above the water heater. These water heaters also require an electrical outlet to be located nearby as the outlet is needed to power the damper. This means that you might need to have electrical work done in addition to having a new water heater installed.

It should be noted, though, that there will be certain situations (albeit a very small percentage) where a homeowner may be faced with a very expensive water heater situation. For example, any electric water heaters over 55 gallons in size will now be required to have a heat pump. These new electric heat pump water heaters require specific air space to work properly and this may cause the homeowner to relocate the water heater or redesign their water heating system. even put in additional air venting. If that is the case, the cost to install one of these water heaters could easily cost three thousand dollars or more. This may become a problem for homeowners where electric water heaters are more common like Arizona because there are a lot of electric water heaters that are located in small spaces.

Electric Water Heater Changes Quick Facts

Under 55 gallons will increase in diameter by about two inches
Over 55 gallons will now be a heat pump style unit
Heat pump units require a certain amount of air space to operate properly

For homes with electric water heaters under 55 gallons in size, the costs will not be nearly as dramatic, though there will be a cost increase. Basically, all of the residential electric water heaters in this size category are 2 inches wider. This means a 40 gallon electric water heater will now be as wide as a 50 gallon electric used to be. This may not seem like a huge increase, but for those homes where the water heater is located in an inside closet with very little extra room, this may cause some problems. In that situation, a homeowner can either get a smaller sized water heater i.e. go from a 50 gallon down to a 40 gallon water heater or they can have the water heater moved to a different location or they can increase the size of the current location. Both of these latter options could result in very costly construction being done to the home. There is one other option for homeowners who just can’t increase the size of the closet or room where the water heater is located: certain manufacturers are planning to offer a thinner version of these electric water heaters that will come with a custom-made insulation blanket, these units can be special ordered and will cost more, but it may be worth waiting a little longer for hot vs paying for reconstructing the closet.

5 Quick Facts About The 2015 Water Heater Energy Efficiency Changes

All water heaters will be more efficient and cost less to operate
Gas and electric water heaters will be wider
Prices will increase for the new models, but not as much as first expected
Water heaters above 55 gallons will be affected the most
A small percent of units may require relocation when next replaced

Hopefully this basic information will help homeowners to better understand these new energy guidelines and the effect they may have on them. We understand it may seem a little overwhelming, so we urge you to give us a call at 833-379-8800 and we will be happy to help you decide what’s best for you and your situation. This is also why we are encouraging people who currently have electric water heaters – or who have gas water heaters that are located in very tight locations – that are over 8 years old to consider replacing their water heater now before these changes take effect.

The reason for this is that water heaters usually last 8-10 years, so if your water heater is older than 8 years, it might be getting ready to go out. If you don’t know how old your water heater is, you can always look at either your original receipt of purchase or installation or you can check the manufacturer’s sticker located on your water heater. However, please note that sometimes that information is still hard to glean because different manufacturers use different methods of dating their products. Once again, if you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 833-379-8800 and a water heater specialist will be happy to help you discover the age of your water heater. We can then even come out and take a look at your current water heater and see where it is located and further discuss your options.

For more information and calculations about the new 2015 Water Heater Energy Efficiency Changes guidelines, here is a link to the United States Department of Energy website where the energy guidelines can be found.

By John Heaters Google + | Facebook

Water Heater Failure

Posted on January 21, 2013 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

Signs of water heater failure

What signs can alert you before water heater failure

Most often homeowners aren’t aware that a water heater failure is about to happen. Have you come home to water running from under the garage or a soppy carpet? While you can’t be for sure when your water heater failure will occur, there are signs that you can keep an eye out for.

One of the most important things is to know the age of your water heater. You can find the age of your water heater by looking at the manufacturer sticker on the upper portion of the water heater. It will have the brand name and many different numbers and small symbols. Try to find the serial number or manufacturer date.

This date will not be exactly when your water heater was installed, but it will tell you how old the tank is. The serial number will have a date code for example “F051052638”. F is for the month – F is the sixth letter so it represents the sixth month, June. Next the first two digits of the serial number are 05, this represents the year, 2005. A water heater with the serial number F05052638 was made in June 2005. Each manufacturer has a similar “code date” for their product, some are easier than others to figure out, if you can not figure out the age of your water check the manufacturers website for the way to crack their “code”. Once you know the when you water heater was manufactured you can keep track of how old it. As a rule of thumb most water heaters over 10 years old have lived a useful life can be replaced. If your water heater is in a location that WILL NOT cause damage if leakage occurs, you can wait until it develops a leak before replacing it. However, if your water heater is in a location that WILL cause damage to your home, replace it after 10 years or before if any of the following symptoms occur.

Rusty Water

Rusty water that comes from only the hot side piping in your home can be a sign that your water heater is rusting away from the inside out and will begin to leak in the near future. If you have galvanized piping you may also have rusty pipes. A good test to ensure you are not replacing a functioning water heater, is to drain the few five gallon buckets of hot water out of the water heater. If by the third bucket the water from your water heater is still coming out rusty then most likely it is not the hot water piping, but the water heater. This is a sign that your water heater needs to be replaced.

Rumbling and Noise

As a water heater ages sediment will build up on the bottom of the tank. Overtime the sediment is heated and reheated and as more sediment accumulates it hardens. When this happens you can often hear rumbling or banging sounds coming from the water heater when it is heating up. This is a sign that the water heater it at the end of it’s useful life. First the water heater will have to use more energy (gas or electricity) to heat the water and will be less efficient. Second the extra time spent heating the water will cause more wear on the metal tank and lead to more brittle metal that can crack and develop tiny holes quicker. If you start to heard rumbling from your water heater, keep an eye out for any small leaks, then replace your water heater.

Moisture Around Water Heater

If you notice moisture around your water, you may have a small leak or a fracture in the tank that releases water when the water heater is heating up. As the metal heats it expands, if there are slight fractures sometimes water will leak from the tank. Once the metal has cooled the inner tank will stop leaking. Make sure there are no other leaks coming from the water heater. Check the fittings and connections to the tank. Also make sure the t/p temperature / pressure overflow pipe is not leaking and causing the moisture. If everything all other connections and fittings are dry and the water heater is an older model, it may be time to replace the water heater. You can always look inside the bottom of the water heater and try to see if the inner tank is dripping. It is not always easy to see inside the bottom of the tank, but it’s worth a try before replacing the tank.

If you are concerned about water heater failure or any of the signs above you can call and speak with a water heater expert 24 hours a day 833-379-8800 or check our FAQ’s to read more about common water heater problems.

By John Heaters Google+ | Facebook

Water Heater Tips

Posted on December 12, 2012 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

Water Heater Tips

Winter Water Heater Tips, Tricks & Solutions

Are you not getting enough hot water from your water heater?

Have you noticed that recently your water isn’t as hot as it used to be?

Maybe it’s time to turn up the temperature on your water heater. It is common when winter comes along to start to run out of hot water or notice you don’t have as much hot water as you used to.

When the ground temperature changes and gets colder the incoming cold water temperature also gets colder and most water heaters have to work a little harder to heat up your water. Once the water is hot and you start to use it, the cold water coming into the tank mixes with the hot water and your hot water cools down. This is especially true when you have an older water heater that has sediment build up. The sediment will leech the heat out of the water quickly. Most people also enjoy a longer hot shower in the winter months, due to the colder temperatures. There is a simple answer when you want hotter water during the winter months. Check where the thermostat on your water heater is set and turn up the temperature.

For gas water heaters the thermostat is the small box sticking out of the front of the water heater, you will notice there is a red dial and maybe a button or two. You will notice a notch and then “A” “B” and “C” settings. If your water heater is set to the recommended 120 degree setting (small white notch on the front dial), you can turn the temperature up slightly to 125 or 130 and you should notice a big difference – just beware of hot water scalding, especially if there are children or seniors in the home who skin is more sensitive and easy to burn. Run a test about 1/2 hour later and see if your water is hotter. Once you have tested the water temperature and you are satisfied you can enjoy hot water all winter long. Try to set a reminder to turn the temperature down again in the spring or like our Facebook page and we will remind you when spring comes along, you’ll get our valuable water heater tips and tricks all year long!.

For electric water heaters you will have to remove the small top panel with a screwdriver and then turn the temperature dial inside the panel up. Be careful working on the inside of the water heater when the power is on, we recommend you refer to your owners manual for instructions and diagrams. Please contact us at [phone-local] if you have any questions about increasing the temperature off your water heater and enjoy our upcoming winter water heater tips in our monthly blog!

100 Gallon Water Heater

Posted on October 15, 2012 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc. | 5 Comments

100 Gallon Water Heater

Residential natural gas 100 gallon water heater with recirculation pump

This residential natural gas 100 gallon water heater is installed with a re-circulation pump to provide instant hot water to the homeowner. As soon as the homeowner opens a faucet or shower in the home hot water comes out. No more waiting for hot water to arrive while gallons of good water goes down the drain.

Having a re-circulation pump installed with your water heater can make a complete difference with the amount of time you have to wait to receive hot water.

If you own a ranch style home and the hot water has to travel from one end of the home to the other it can take up to 5 minutes for the hot water to reach the faucet or shower. This is a waste of water and energy as the hot water travels through the pipes is loses some of it’s heat, making the water heater work more in the long run.

Benefits from a re-circulation pump are not only convenient they are also financially sound. How often have you stood waiting for the hot water to arrive, thinking “I wish there was a way I could get hot water faster”.

Re-circulating pumps provide the solution to this ongoing problem. Pumps are available in a few different models and styles depending on the existing plumbing you have and the style of your home.

A re-circulation pump can be added to your water heater, if there is a return line for the water to circulate through. If you do not have a return line, most often a little additional plumbing can solve that problem. If you can not have a return line added a different type of re-circulation pump can be added to your water heater, with special valves added to the hot water fixtures in your home. You will be able to have hot water instantly.

In addition to a re-circulation pump, most brands and styles of re-circulation pumps work with timers so you can set the pump to run during your peak water usage hours. This will help save even more energy, by only using the re-circulation pump to circulate the water when you will actually need the hot water at the faucet immediately. No need to have the re-circulation pump running all day if you are away from home. Most often homeowners request we set the timer for early morning and evening hours when hot water is frequently used.

If you have questions about how re-circulation pumps give our water heater experts a call 833-379-8800 and find out what options are available for your home. You can also view our re-circulation pumps product page and find out more about the products and brands we offer.

By John Heaters Google + | Facebook