For questions generally relating to the hot-water supply system of a typical residential or commercial building, primarily regarding the heating mechanism itself (a traditional hot water heater tank, tankless heaters including "point-of-use", boilers and heat exchangers, etc).
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3answers
145 views
+200
Is it safe to install this hot water tank from ebay?
Is it safe for me to replace my electric hot water tank with this continuous electric unit that I bought on ebay?
(I'm in Australia)
Technical Specifications
rated power 6.0KW
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3
votes
3answers
122 views
What advantages does bending copper pipes have over joining many parts without brazing?
These questions are in context of a DIY solar water heater I am planning (another separate question). The copper pipes in question, are supposed to carry around hot water using thermo-siphon ...
2
votes
0answers
53 views
Is it possible to make my own solar water heater?
After blowing (what I consider) a lot of money on 2 residential solar water heaters, over the last 6 years, dealing with 3 set of rather expensive inner-tank replacements, evacuation pipe changes I am ...
2
votes
1answer
320 views
What does the low pressure light on my Rinnai tankless water heater mean?
We have a Rinnai tankless water heater in the basement. Our housemate has a bathroom in the basement. About once a week, the water turns cold during her showers or when she uses the sink. We have no ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
How does Thermal Release Device (TRD) work
Rheem hot water heaters have a device in the combustion chamber called Thermal Release Device (TRD). It contains a vial filled with liquid that seems to be mounted in a flex metal plate. It is a ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
How can I prevent a tankless propane on-demand water heater from freezing up in very cold climates?
We are considering installing a tankless propane on-demand water heater in a residential setting, where multiple tenants use a shared bathing facility (presently served satisfactorily by a 40 gal ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
troubleshooting a hot tub/spa that won't heat up
We have a Hotsprings/Watkins brand hottub/spa that came with the house we bought last September. At the time that we bought it, the hot tub appeared to work and heat up properly. However, now that ...
0
votes
2answers
270 views
What could be causing water to drip from the relief valve of my new gas water heater, again?
I installed a brand new water heater about 4 months ago, noticed that that relief valve was dripping like crazy. Checked the expansion tank and it was filled with water. I replaced it with a brand ...
1
vote
0answers
132 views
What dangers are associated with changing the pilot light assembly on a gas water heater?
My A O Smith ProMax gas water heater started going out at various intervals. I would re-light it and it might stay lit for a few minutes, few hours, or even a day or so. I figured it was the ...
2
votes
0answers
327 views
What could cause my tankless water heater to make a knocking sound?
I recently replaced my water heater with a tankless unit (Rheem). After installation I noticed that whenever I turned on the hot water; or when my central heating unit would turn on, the tankless unit ...
1
vote
0answers
46 views
Why am I not getting hot water from my tankless hot water heater?
I just bought my house last year. The previous owner had just replaced the boiler before I closed. I had oil delivered the day that I moved in. I had problems with the hot water right away as it ...
2
votes
2answers
104 views
How can I fix this leaky water heater?
I have an electric Water heater and it is starting to leak from what I believe to be the pressure release valve. I just wanted some tips on how I can fix this before the leak becomes unmanageable. The ...
1
vote
2answers
74 views
Is it practical to install a second water heater near my kitchen?
My bathroom and my kitchen are very far apart in my house.
The original water heater is in the bathroom.
Is it practical to install a second water heater (small) near the kitchen so that it runs (the ...
2
votes
1answer
129 views
What to look for in a new water radiator?
The water radiators I have under each window are 50 years old, and I would like some new ones. They measure HxLxD 50x100x20 cm.
The new ones I would like should be as thin as possible.
I live in an ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
How to determine tankless water heater requirements?
I'm considering replacing my insufficient 30 gallon gas water heater with a tankless water heater equivalent to 50 gallon gas heater.
I know a 50 gallon heater would serve my needs.
Questions
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1
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3answers
5k views
How do you know when you need a new water heater?
Our hot water is hot sometimes, but not always. For example I might be able to fill up a tub with hot water one morning, but the next morning the water might be cold. This is our first home and when ...
2
votes
1answer
117 views
How can I improve my hot water heater's performance?
I don't have the equipment details on hand but could probably get them if needed. It's a pretty standard boiler + hot water heater + pump set up.
Often the hot water coming out of the shower faucet ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
Can replacing a T&P valve be done as DIY by a home owner?
I want to replace the T&P valve on my gas water heater since it is dripping water all the time. I talked to a couple of people such as my friend and a salesperson at a Home Improvement Store. They ...
1
vote
1answer
210 views
Why does the hot water run cold at less than 'full throttle'?
I'm as environmentally conscious as the next American (probably not very) but here's an example: I like to rinse dishes that I've just washed in a stream of hot water as this works best for drying. I ...
3
votes
2answers
182 views
Why is my hot water heater making my water smell like sulfur?
I have an electric hot water heater that gives the water a sulfur smell. It is only from the hot water. I have heard that changing the anode in the unit can help. If this is the case, what material ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
What causes a water heaters relief valve to discharge water?
I have a Gas Reliance Water Heater 1212. I found recently (in winter) there is a water dip through the relief valve into a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes, it can fill the whole bucket. Sometimes, it has ...
2
votes
1answer
301 views
Why is my electric hot water heater producing lukewarm/cold water?
Yesterday after returning home from work I discovered my hot water is not working. When you turn on the faucet (any in the house) just a little warm water comes out and then it turns cold. I checked ...
4
votes
2answers
290 views
Why does pressure relief valve state 'Not for Use with Water Heaters'?
So I replaced my 6.5 year old electric hot water (installed with house built in 06') heater and used an identical plumbing setup as my previous install. My previous (and now current) install has a ...
2
votes
0answers
62 views
Where could the air in the water system be coming from?
We live on the top two floors of a small brownstone walkup. To get the heating to work upstairs I need to bleed the baseboard heater almost every other day. All faucets in the house sputter, and the ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
Can a washer and dryer be next to a water heater?
I have a GE gas dryer (DSXH47GGWW) that is currently next to an exterior basement wall. I'd like to move it to the opposite wall (shared with the crawl space) right next to the water heater next to ...
34
votes
7answers
5k views
How can I speed up my slow hot water?
Our water heater (gas) is located in the garage. It is 25 to 30 feet away from the closest faucet, which I'm guessing is the main reason it takes so long -- a minute or longer -- to get hot water ...
2
votes
1answer
228 views
Is it safe to shut off cold water entering water heater?
I have a pretty bad situation at my place. I have a leaky shower faucet which has gone from drips to a steady stream. I calculated the flow at .3 gallons per minute. My very old home has no private ...
6
votes
4answers
627 views
Should I install an inline water heater for my bathroom?
It takes 3-4 minutes of the shower running before the hot water reaches my upstairs bathroom. I'd like to not have to waste all that water and time. My initial though was to install an inline water ...
1
vote
2answers
5k views
What can cause an electric hot water heater to stop working?
Last night my electric hot water heater stopped working and I'd like to figure out whats wrong with it before going off and calling a repair service.
What are some things I can do to troubleshoot ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
What's with the different FHR ratings of these hot water tanks?
We're replacing our tank with a more efficient one and we can't go tankless given the cold input temperatures in Canada and the amount of output we need (for a triplex with 7 people).
So I've been ...
3
votes
2answers
156 views
Should a water heater's anode be replaced?
I hear conflicting information on replacing the anode bar on a water heater or not since the water heater will be replaced anyway.
Should the anode bar be periodically replaced? Why? How often?
5
votes
4answers
589 views
Why is the first shower of the day is colder than the second?
Description
Since I've moved into this house, I've noticed that the first shower of the day is colder than the any subsequent shower. More specifically, if no hot water has been used for a while, ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
How do I replace a damaged valve on a water heater?
Near the bottom of my hot water tank there is a plastic valve that looks like it is used for draining the water out of it. It has developed a hairline fracture along the length of it and small jets of ...
-1
votes
1answer
387 views
How long will it be before my hot water heater blows up without a thermal expansion tank?
the county where I live put in the "check valve" or backflow device. Not sure, but I know they said you need to get a thermal expansion tank or the pressure could blow up the water heater.
I spoke ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
How do I start a cold gas heater?
The gas heater pilot light has been out for a couple of days, and I believe there is a safety mechanism that detects this, and shuts off the gas. Now, when I move the slider to the pilot light ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
Why does my water heater stop after a few minutes?
I have a Junkers (European water heater) that works for a few minutes and then stops. Anyone have experience with this/know how I can troubleshoot?
Or, would a regular plumber be able to fix it?
0
votes
0answers
45 views
Is it normal for the steam-out of a electric thermo pot to melt down over time? [closed]
A few days ago, I discovered that some bars of the steam-out of my electric thermo pot (which has been used for about 2 years in my house) have been melted down.
(Note: This is not the photo of my ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
What could be causing water to drip from the relief valve of my new gas water heater?
My old hot water tank met its maker about two or three weeks ago, and since then I have installed a new Kenmore 50 gallon gas water heater to replace it.
The new water heater seems to work fine, I ...
4
votes
2answers
6k views
Why is my new hot water heater making a clicking noise?
I have a relatively new water heater (installed by previous owner). I've only been in the house a few months and did not notice this noise until after being there a few weeks. What happens is after ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
How does a water-heater know when to turn on?
Now that it is getting colder, we have noticed that when we get home from work, our water is not that hot. It was warm at best after a four-day trip. The water heater is in an unheated basement, ...
6
votes
2answers
898 views
What can I do about high water pressure that is causing a leak?
One of our showers has an intermittent leak, and I've figured out that it happens when the hot water heater is on. There's no expansion tank on the cold supply side for our hot water tank, so I'm ...
6
votes
2answers
603 views
How to install Water Heater drain pan to sump pit?
I want to replace my electric water heater. The current water heater does not have a drain pan. I'd like to add one with my new water heater. This is all in the basement.
Our basement does not ...
1
vote
0answers
89 views
Without having a pressure regulator or gauge, how would we determine what psi to set our new expansion tank to?
Without having a pressure regulator or gauge, how would we determine what psi to set our new expansion tank to? We just replaced the tank and hot water heater.Before replacing them, had an ok amount ...
1
vote
2answers
421 views
Is my expansion tank leaking in my oil water heater system?
I have an oil water heater (see related question) used for a hydronic forced-air furnace. There is a backflow preventer on the incoming cold water and return hot water, and a small expansion tank on a ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Can I install a hot water recirculation pump if I have a reverse osmosis filter?
I'm considering getting a "comfort pump" which will pump water from the hot line to the cold line under a sink so that there is no waiting for hot water, as well as saving the wasted water.
My ...
2
votes
1answer
504 views
Why won't my gas water heater light?
Everything was working last night but no hot water this morning. Things I have checked:
gas supply to the house is fine
electricity is going to the boiler
fuses are good
sounds like the water pump ...
2
votes
2answers
365 views
What could cause a new pressure release valve to drip water?
Installed a new pressure release valve on electric water heater because old valve was dripping water on floor. New valve also dripping water. Any ideas? Suggestions? Water temp set at 110F, so it's ...
0
votes
1answer
151 views
Can I repair the floor in the water heater closet with an old street sign?
Can I use an old aluminum road sign as a replacement floor for my hot water heater closet? The old floor is rotten and has some give to it right where a portion of my hot water heater sits, and my dad ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
How can I stop the boiler from heating the radiators when only hot water is wanted?
I have Baxi Boiler (model unknown at this precise moment in time) which British Gas have fixed up to a seperate control panel (see image - not our actual panel, image from Google!).
The problem is ...
1
vote
1answer
177 views
Replace under warranty Bradford White or get a new Rheem water heater? [closed]
I have a Bradford White water heater that is about 4 years old, still under warranty, and has started leaking. My understanding is that it must be replaced.
The plumber I contacted about this told ...
