Bobcat
Premium
join:2001-02-04
Bedminster, NJ
 ·Verizon Online DSL
1 edit | reply to Zen6
Re: Gas Water Heater Question
said by Zen6 :
I also will get a sizable tax credit for my new tank, so now is a good time to replace, and do not go with a cheap one as they are not eligible for tax credit.
I looked at the Energy Star site, and they say that only the tankless models qualify for the tax credit.
quote:
Gas, Oil, and Propane Water Heaters with an Energy Factor of at least .82 - OR - a thermal efficiency of at least 90%. There are several types of gas, oil, and propane water heaters (storage tank, tankless, gas condensing), but only tankless can currently meet the criteria...
There is no tax credit for electric storage tank or electric tankless water heaters.
»energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/···qid=5703 |
|
jinjimbob
Troy Mcclure
join:2001-11-13 | reply to CCat
Our propane one is on its 16th year now, but we do have a water filter and softener which really helps. |
|
scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC | reply to Zen6
If mine DOES start leaking - no biggie - it's sitting outside in a gas water heater enclosure - I'll just be watering the yard... |
|
Zen6
@rr.com
| reply to jack b
Borrowed time is not a good place to be. My 13yr old tank went 2 weeks ago while I was out shopping, came home to ruined Christmas ornaments, and 1" of water covering the floor. It is best to change these things before they ruin everything on the basement floor. I also will get a sizable tax credit for my new tank, so now is a good time to replace, and do not go with a cheap one as they are not eligible for tax credit. |
|
scooper
join:2000-07-11
Youngsville, NC | reply to Boomerang86
I've got a '92 / '93 40 gallon electric heater that's been in continuous service...
Yes, I'm holding my breath on when I have to replace it... |
|
Boomerang86
Got FUD?
Premium
join:2002-10-18
VampireState
clubs:
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·VOIPo
·Time Warner VOIP
| reply to CCat
said by CCat  :...As of this morning its still working. I probably will just try replacing the thermo couple and see if that fixes it, if not I'll probably just replace the WH seeing that its 14 yrs old. Wow, fourteen years? You've been on borrowed time with that unit for a while now. Normal life span for a conventional HWH is 7-12 years. Time to go shopping.
--
Don't pay ME back, pay it forward. |
|
CCat
Purrplexity
Premium
join:2005-12-06
Wonderland | reply to socalblitz
That explains a lot...Thanks |
|
socalblitz
audit the Fed
Premium
join:2008-07-31
Fullerton, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to CCat
There are 100's of complaints about Whirlpool Gas Water Heaters purchased from Lowes on the sites below:
»www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowne···ers.html
»www.terrylove.com/forums/showthr···p?t=4362
There is also a class action lawsuit. |
|
Juan2
@swbell.net
| reply to CCat
There were many Whirlpool heaters that were a pain in the nether regions since the thermocouple had left hand threads so that a standard (cheap) thermocouple would not work. Other than that, the normal thermocouple is VERY economical ( $5) and usually easy to replace.
Many of the other answers were good, but I must say that on my own water heater that the valve assembly had a severe buildup of calcium deposits on the in-tank sensor. I replaced this valve assembly (after trying all else) and results are good.
I must say this job is quite difficult (Requires very large wrench to remove valve body). I removed thermocouple, pilot feed & main feed with 3/8, 7/16 & 3/4 End wrenches. Be very careful (or hire someone) this can be dangerous for neophytes! |
|
CCat
Purrplexity
Premium
join:2005-12-06
Wonderland | reply to jack b
Best explaination Ive heard. But...time for a new one. |
|
jack b
Gone Fishing
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to CCat
What it sounds like is happening here is the tiny pilot burner orifice has microscopic debris lodged in it from impurities carried in the gas itself over the years, and that is causing the pilot flame to have become very soft. And now, it doesn't take very much turbulence to blow the pilot flame out such as when the main burner extinguishes itself.
It's almost impossible to clean (successfully), and if you ream out the opening while trying to clear it, that can make things even worse.
--
~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~
~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~ |
|
CCat
Purrplexity
Premium
join:2005-12-06
Wonderland
1 edit | reply to Langning
No...There is no electrical run to the WH. It works strictly off the thermo couple and the temp sensor.
--
Sometimes My Mind Wanders.....Other Times It Leaves Completely! |
|
Langning
Premium
join:2003-04-28
Marlborough, MA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to bemis
said by bemis :tp0d's picture looks exactly like my water heater--except that I also have a control on the gas line to activate a power vent. Does your setup look like mines? |
|
CCat
Purrplexity
Premium
join:2005-12-06
Wonderland
·RoadRunner Cable
·WOW Internet and C..
| reply to jack b
@EG, Nothing dripping on the pilot.
@ jack b, I agree...One more observation. I can light the pilot and fire the burner. Once the tank gets hot and the main burner turns off so does the pilot.
I did find the same WH at Lowes. Dimensions are all the same too.
This may be a straight swap without having to redo the piping (or very little).
--
Sometimes My Mind Wanders.....Other Times It Leaves Completely! |
|
jack b
Gone Fishing
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to CCat
said by CCat :Im sorry, I should have mentioned that the WH is an old Whirlpool installed in 95 .....I'll probably just replace the WH seeing that its 14 yrs old. Good move. You're on borrowed time with that tank, anyway. 
--
~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~
~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~ |
|
EG
The wings of love
Premium
join:2006-11-18
Union, NJ
| reply to CCat
I once had such a tiny water leak at the bottom of the tank of an only 3 year old unit. The droplets were enough to quench the pilot.
I observed and confirmed this leak by watching the lowest measuring amount/fastest moving gauge on my water meter. If I turned off the feeder valve to the heater, the movement of the gauge would stop. |
|
CCat
Purrplexity
Premium
join:2005-12-06
Wonderland | reply to Bobcat
Checked all connections nothing loose.
Im sure its just dying from old age. |
|
Bobcat
Premium
join:2001-02-04
Bedminster, NJ | reply to CCat
Could be a loose connection, too. |
|
CCat
Purrplexity
Premium
join:2005-12-06
Wonderland
·RoadRunner Cable
·WOW Internet and C..
| reply to i1me2ao
Upon further inspection it looks like the unit has seen better days.
Ill probably be replacing it tomorrow.
Things always seem to break over the holidays. 
--
Sometimes My Mind Wanders.....Other Times It Leaves Completely! |
|
i1me2ao
Premium
join:2001-03-03
TEXAS
·Comcast
| reply to CCat
i did the above and managed to get two more months before i finally had to replace control unit. after draining and removing the build up was so bad i could not remove it with sander.
--
calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist |
|
