Can I Leave My Tankless Water Heater In Line When Unused

16.10.2019
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The best electric tankless water heater 2019 can supply you with hot water on demand. It won’t run out of it and can eliminate the standby loss brought about by standard storage models out there.The tankless water heater can keep the comfort of your family especially in the winter when they need hot showers. With an efficient unit, you can also rest assured that hot water will be delivered to all the outlets in your home, cabin or any other place where you have installed it.In addition, the water heater does not need much maintenance unlike traditional models do. It won’t also give you any worry about algae, bacteria and lime scale.With an excellent tankless water heater, you don’t also need to worry about much space it will take.To find the right tankless water heater, keep reading in the following section as we review the best of them this year.In today’s guide, we’re also featuring the things to look for when comparing and weighing your options to select the right one. Review of The Best Electric Tankless Water Heater 2019We’ve researched and compared the best electric tankless water heaters with the innovation and performance you’ll love!

Step-by-step guide how to winterize a tankless water heater. Turn the water heater OFF and unplug the power cord. Shut the gas and water supply OFF. Open hot water tap to drain water. After the water pressure has been lowered, disconnect the outlet and inlet water pipes and put the bucket underneath to collect the remaining water. Are tankless hot water heaters effective in winter despite the temperature of the water prior to entering the hot water’s heating system. Again the answer is, “Yes”. Still, the tankless hot water heater can freeze if certain precautions are not taken when the temperatures drop below a certain level.

Don’t look any further but check out our collection of excellent water heaters that you can rely on and that offer the best value for your buck.Here are our picks:. Stiebel Eltron 36 Plus Tempra. Ecosmart ECO 36 Electric Tankless Water Heater. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T.

Titan SCR2 N-120 Water Heater, Electric Tankless. Sio Green IR288 POU Water Heater, Electric TanklessTop 5 Best Electric Tankless Water Heaters 2019 NameTypesImage1.

Stiebel Eltron 36 Plus TempraElectric2. Ecosmart ECO 36Electric3. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank WaterHeater Tronic 3000 TElectric4. Titan SCR2 N-120Electric5. Sio Green IR288 POU ElectricTankless Water HeaterElectric. Stiebel Eltron 36 Plus TempraThe Stiebel Eltron 36 plus Tempra is one of the most advanced tankless water heater on the market.

You and your loved ones won’t have to wait long for hot water especially in the cold winter and day when all they need is a warm bath after a tiring, long day. It is what you need even if you have a large family that demands for heated water most of the time. This model is also durable and made of high quality materials, which make it the top choice for those looking to get more of their investment.FeaturesUnlimited heated water supplyYou’ll love that this model can offer on-demand and an unlimited supply of heated water. Your family will continuously enjoy the heated water without having to wait long because of its powerful performance.Sleek and intelligent design and constructionThis tankless water heater does not only offer heated water unlimitedly for your whole family or business like a vacation home, cabin, bus, travel trailer, RV or any other applications where installing a huge water tank is simply impossible.The tankless heater comes with a sleek design, which can help you save space and without any venting needed. You don’t also have to worry about any noisy operation because this product comes with an electronically activated heating element, which offers silent operation.Efficient and fast heatingAnother thing that makes the tankless heater great is its copper-sheathed heating element that is housed in a copper cylinder. This feature makes the tankless water heater efficient in heating and ensures that the water is heated quickly.

Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 TThe Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T ES4 is one of the best water heaters, which is why most consumers are writing nothing but positive reviews about it. There is no wonder because this electric mini-tank water heater with up to four gallons in capacity. The model can be wall hung, so it is convenient to install. What is good about it is that it comes with a bracket, which makes setting up easier. It can also be floor mounted.

For this reason, you can install it easily in a cabinet space or under a sink.FeaturesEasy installation/mountingOne of the unique features of the mini-tank water heater is its flexibility. You can set up the unit can be mounted on the wall, shelf or floor. And if you’re looking to get hot water immediately, you can also install it directly at the sink. It also offers an independent installation or be set up in line with a large water source.Unlimited and convenient hot water heaterThis water heater can fit under the sink, supplying consumers with hot water on demand. It can offer efficiency of up to 98%, which is great news for people that want to have hot water anytime they need it.Quick recovery rateUsing the water heater, you don’t have to wait long before hot water arrives at your sink.

With it, you can get hot water when you need it. This unit can also supply up to two sinks simultaneously.

It’s not only that it offers a fast recovery rate but also has a long lasting quality, so it is a breeze to maintain. Titan SCR2 N-120 E Water HeaterThe Titan SCR2 N-120 runs of 220 volts and can operate quieter versus other models on the market do.

The best electric tankless water heater by Niagara Industries is the one to choose if you want a reliable heater that can supply you with hot water as needed. It is also chosen by many because it can offer solid performance without interruptions. Especially in the winter when hot showers are what your loved ones need for ultimate comfort, they can rely on the unit that can provide continuous water supply.FeaturesIdeal For Different ApplicationsThe Titan SCR2 N-120 can be used in a wide range of applications where hot water is needed. It is ideal for homes in areas where the temperature of incoming water is over 65 degree F. You might also want to go for the versatile model that can work for homes with up to three standard bathrooms.Replaces A Conventional Water TankThis is what you need if you don’t have the space to install a new water tank. This model can easily replace a conventional model, allowing your loved ones to continue experiencing enhanced comfort and meet their hot water needs.Heats Water InstantaneouslyThere is no need to wait long before you could get hot water for your sink or bathroom!

Choosing the Titan SCR2 N-120, you can continue to get hot water for your needs due to the solid power and performance of this tankless water heater. Sio Green IR288 POU Water Heater Electric TanklessIf you’re shopping around for a durable and reliable tankless water heater, you might want to take a second look at the Sio Green IR288. This unit offers a corrosion-free and cost-effective water heater that can offer you with hot water on-demand. With it, you don’t have to worry about bacteria, algae and lime scale. Virtually, you don’t have to maintain a water tank.FeaturesSpace saving designIt has a compact and solid design, allowing saving kitchen or bathroom space. There is no need for a water tank, which also requires maintenance from time to time. A great deal of time and effort is needed with a tank to maintain, but not anymore, if you have the tankless water heater.

This unit is useful for the entire house or commercial space.Versatile and innovativeThe tankless water heater is not only space saving but also flexible for different applications. It can also be used in kitchens, storage areas, bathrooms, cabinets or recreational vehicle.You can install the heater anywhere or use it as a booster or hybrid with a water tank, in stores, hotels or restaurants. The versatile model is valuable to use anywhere you need hot water without the need for a tank.Adjustments for your needsIt is certainly a great tankless water heater because it can also be adjusted based on your exact needs.

This model boasts its Automatic Power Technology and Manual Mode. In this case, you can adjust its settings based on your family’s need. You can switch between the modes by just holding down the power button. ExpensiveElectric Tankless Water Heater: Advantages and DisadvantagesThe best electric tankless water heater has its pros and cons. We’re going to discuss some of them in the following, so keep reading.

AdvantagesOn-demand hot water supplyThe tankless water tank can supply you with hot water anytime you need it. When cold water is flushed out of the faucet, it will provide instant hot water. Thus, your family will not run out of hot water supply for the kitchen, bathroom, garage and other places where it is needed.Lower cost monthlyWhile the initial spending may be pricey, a tankless water heater still offers more cost-savings in the end. For one, they are more efficient than standard models. So if you would do the math, you might be able to save more annually.DurableIf you would like to maximize your investment for this tankless water heater, you can also rely on the tankless models that we have featured here.

The highest quality models can last for almost 10 years, and the tankless models can last almost double that number of years. Nevertheless, tankless models a can be longer lasting than standard water heaters are.Tax breaks and special financingMany of the tankless water heaters are efficient, so they can qualify for federal tax credits. In addition, Energy Star heaters may qualify for some tax breaks, too.Standby loss eliminationThese tankless water heaters can get rid of standby losses, which are common among traditional units.Space saving designYou do not have to worry about the bulk that storage models can take. In fact, you might just have to wall mount a tankless unit in the basement for instance. Especially if you have a very limited space, you can take advantage of its space-saving design.

DisadvantagesFluctuating temperaturesOne reported complaint among some water heaters is the inconsistent temperature they can produce. It happens when it cannot supply hot water to all the outlets at the same time.ExpensiveThe initial cost to spend on a tankless water heater is more expensive upfront, but in the longer term may be able to save you money because you do not have a water tank to maintain.Additional equipment may be neededYou might have to buy a water softener that can help the tankless heater to operate more efficiently and properly.There you have the pros and cons of having the best tankless electric water heater in your home, recreational vehicle, truck, camper, travel trailer and anywhere hot water is needed. How to Choose the Electric Tankless Water HeaterIf you would like to buy the right electric tankless water heater, you might want to check out the following for the important factors to look into when selecting this kind of appliance.

Let’s discuss them in the following.High quality: Everyone wants to get the most out of his investment. For this reason, you should compare and find out if the tankless water heater you’ll buy is of high quality. You can visit forums or read reviews about what other people are saying about the tankless water heater. It will help you figure out if they have a positive or negative experience in using a specific brand and model.Energy savings: The tankless water heater to select should not consume much energy.

Compare your options and look for one that can offer you with a more efficient operation to save energy.Installation: One of the things to check when shopping around for a new water heater is its ease of assembly or installation. It should not give you a hard time or spend much effort in installing the tankless water heater. The one to choose should be easy to set up. In addition, it should offer ease of use so that you can experience convenience using it.Size: Remember that tankless water heaters are in different sizes. For this reason, you might want to go for a small one if you have a small space or a big one if you have a large space.When determining the size, you might also want to think about daily water consumption and family’s size. By knowing these things, you will be able to figure out if you need a large or a small heater.Flow rate: Another important thing to consider when finding a tankless water heater, either it is gas tankless water heater or electric type, is the flow rate. You should shop around for one that will not run out of hot water if its heating capacity is lower than its flow rate.So for multiple uses, you might want to go for a larger heater or using several heaters.

These heaters will work under varying climates and temperature, so you should determine the temperature that the heater can work most efficiently.Efficiency: Another deciding factor is the efficiency of the water heater, which is its high-energy factor. When shopping around for one, you should look for a unit that has a range of between 0.96 and 0.99. Remember that a higher one can indicate that it is higher in terms of efficiency.Brand: In addition to the above factors, you should also look into the brand and its reputation. It must be a trusted one for tankless water heaters to have peace of mind that they don’t also offer high quality products but also exceptional customer service, for instance.There you have some of the things to bear in mind when finding a tankless water heater that will match your needs and space’s requirements.

Consider them closely and find the right tankless model for you now. ConclusionDefinitely, it can be challenging and overwhelming to shop around for a tankless water heater because there are many of them around. They’re available in different sizes and configurations. For this reason, you have to determine your hot water requirements and size of your family along with the climate in your area and temperature of the water delivered to your faucets/water outlets, among other things.We do hope you can find the right tankless water heater based on the reviews we’ve created on the best tankless electric water heaters.

Also, you might want to refer to our buying guide on the things to consider when comparing your options. Categories Post navigation.

Dear NH, Is it okay to my drain water heater and shut off gas to it if the house isgoing to vacant for 4-5 months? I am always afraid of water leaks.

Air

JGJG,Most people just turn the water off unless they are concerned with freezing.Then you should drain down the entire system. However, there is apotential problem with draining down the water heater for a long period of timethat you might want to consider. Rust!Water heaters are made from steel, which can rust. Even though modernheaters are lined with a non-corrosive glass-like ceramic.

However, thisis not 100% effective because it is impossible to coat 100% of the tank and thematerial is prone to cracking during transportation and installation.The rust is stopped by the use of a sacrificial anode, a long rod ofmagnesium, aluminum or zinc that is put into the top of the tank and extends afew feet into the water. These materials dissolve away more quickly thansteel through a electrochemical reaction (like a common car battery) and thesteel is not affected as long as the anode lasts.Here is the problem. Draining the water stops the sparing action of theanode and exposes the steel to the water vapor left in the closed tank.This can cause increased rust and may decrease the life of the tank.Though it is not unheard of for leaks to occur in the owner's absence, theyare minimized if you turn off the water to the whole house when you leave sothere is no pressure in the system. Of course, if a visual inspection ofyour water heater shows evidence of corrosion or leaks anywhere, you should haveit checked BEFORE you hit the road!Dear NH, What is the proper way to test the heating element(s) in a waterheater? I have heard they can be tested with the power either on oroff? Is one way better than the other?

UWUW,To directly test the element, the electricity should be off.The heating element in an electric water heater works the same asthe heating elements in ovens, toasters and the stove top. Theelements heat up because they highly resist the flow of electricity.This 'resistance' can be likened to friction, causing anincrease in heat.If the element is broken.

Meaning the electricitydoes not have a compete path to follow through the element. Theelement will not heat up.

Technically speaking, a broken elementhas 'infinite resistance' to the flow of electricity and zero continuity.Resistance and continuity can easily be checked with an inexpensivemultimeter or battery powered continuity tester, available at mosthardware stores or Radio Shack. Turn off the electricity,disconnect either wire from the element's terminals and test acrossthe terminals for continuity. If there is no 'beep', or nomovement of the pointer on an analog multimeter, you can be sure that the element isdefective and needs replacing.You can test across the terminals of the element for voltage (withthe electricity on and all wires connected), but the reading you getmay or may not indicate a problem with the element.

An 'off' or brokencircuit breaker, a defective thermostat or even a loose wire may bethe culprit, not the element itself.Dear NH, My situation is this: My electric water heater is not working. I get 240Vat the heating element and also at the thermostat. What test can I perform onthe heating element or the thermostat to determine which is faulty withoutremoving them? JGIf you are getting electricity at the heating elements, then the elements aremost likely burnt out. To test them, first turn off the electricity.

Now youmust isolate them by disconnecting them from their thermostats. Set yourvoltmeter to continuity test, or if that's not an option, set it to testresistance. If you test infinite resistance, or if the continuity test reads opencircuit, then the element is bad. This is the same test you would use on akitchen stove burner or oven element.If they do prove to be inoperable, chances are you have been heating yourwater with one heating element for a while, since it would be unlikely that bothwould fail simultaneously. You should notice a dramatic increase in the speedand efficiency of your water heater after the repair.If the terms continuity or voltmeter or open circuit don't mean anything toyou, perhaps you should pick up a really great book on appliance repair.Dear NH, What do you think about tankless water heaters?

I love the idea. When you turn on your hot water knob, the unit heats water as it enters your house.There is no tank to collect sediment, or constantly heat water you may not use. Do you recommend them? Have they been on the market long enoughto be proven reliable? My local Home Depot doesn't carry them. Who would Icall, a plumber? Can you recommend any particular brands?MD from Venice, FLI think tankless water heaters are great but have some limitations thatmake them unsuitable for some users.They were originally designed to be used in situations where a tank isundesirable and/or inefficient, such as a building with very minimal hot waterdemand.

They are more commonly used overseas than in the US, probably because weare not as attuned to the economy and space saving attributes of these waterheaters.Since the water is heated as needed, there can be tremendous savings overtank units that by design keep the water hot 24/7. And there are other moreconventional alternatives that may be as good or better. For example, the energy(and dollar) savings are diminished or even nonexistent if the alternative is ahot water system integrated into your gas or oil heating system. If the price ofgas or oil is especially low in your area, a standalone tank unit using thesefuels may be competitive if you take the extra effort to superinsulate the tank(via wrapping the tank with insulation) and keep the temperature down to under120 degrees.There is a trade-off you must understand before making a purchase decision ona tankless water heater. Tank-type water heaters can supply enough hot water torun multiple hot water appliances or showers at the same time, provided you buya unit with sufficient tank size for your projected usage and the size of yourhousehold.

Tankless heaters, on the other hand, have large drop offs in watertemperature as the flow through them increases. This is because of the way theywork. The elements in a tankless water heater can heat water up to an adjustablemaximum temperature, based on an assumption of the water flow through it and thetemperature of the water coming into it. As the incoming water temperaturedrops, so does the outgoing temperature of the heated water. Of course, you caninstall more than one tankless water heater in your home, to serve different'zones', to solve volume problems.One the positive side, with a tankless unit you never run out of hot water.We all know the frustration of having the stinking hot water tank run out ofheated water during that critical final rinse! The one that reallycounts!There are a number of companies online that sell these units.

I cannot give aproduct recommendation, but I suggest that you get the written manufacturer'sperformance stats on a number of them before making a purchase decision. Anotherpossible source of information would be a hardcore plumbing supply house, ratherthan a home store.Dear NH, What are the signals that a water heater would give that it is time toreplace it. I built the house in the spring of 1985 and I still have theoriginal water heater. This water heater has never been drained, shortly afterit was installed the pressure valve leaked and was replaced, and I have been theonly person living in the house up until Sept 1997 when my mother moved in withme. For about the past 3 months I have noticed that the pressure valve hasbeen leaking a little water, so when my brother came up for Xmas I asked him tochange it because it appeared it was slowly getting worse. Both the pressurevalve and the galvanized metal nipple showed a considerable amount of junk inthem. I replaced both.The only noise I have ever heard from the water heater is a rumbling when afaucet is turned on while the water heater is heating water.

BO in the Mojave Desert, CABO,There is no tried and true way to know precisely when a water heater needsreplacement. Obviously, a leak in the body of the heater requires immediatereplacement. If there is a major malfunction, such as complete or partial lossof hot water supply, leakage around plumbing fittings, or the appearance ofexcessive corrosion on the heater body itself or at the heater's plumbingconnections, AND the unit is over 8 years old, replacement may be preferableover repair (if a repair is possible, that is). I would leave this up to yourbudget and repair skills.All the active parts and most of the plumbing parts the heating elements,thermostat, anode rod, and the various valves are designed to be replaceable.The main obstacle to disassembly is corrosion. A water heater corrodes morequickly than other plumbing fixtures because of the constant higher than roomtemperature it operates at, and the fact that sometimes the water heater acts asan electric ground, accelerating this corrosive process.

Corrosion makesreplacing any parts chancy, since the replacement may leak, necessitating thereplacement of the entire heater.So, like a conscientious Boy Scout, be prepared for the possibility ofreplacement even when the repair seems simple and straightforward. So it goeswith plumbing!In your specific case, with a water heater over 13 years old, repairs areprobably not cost effective, since the life expectancy of a water heater is only8 to 12 years. As they age, they become less efficient. This is true for allheaters, but more for electric types. Modern water heaters have betterinsulation and are more efficient 'out of the box', so you may noticedramatic savings in fuel and/or electric costs by replacing it.Dear NH, I have a 40 gallon gas water heater. It is leaking at the base of each pipegoing into the top of water heater.

Is this a problem with the water heater whenthere is no leaking from the bottom? From Lees Summit, MODear C.M.From your description it appears that you are getting leakage around thethreads for the in-and-out water supply lines into the heater. When this occursshortly after installation, it is an installation snafu. However, most leaksthat occur after years of service are caused by chemical corrosion that has'dissolved' the threaded fittings. The corrosion is softer than theoriginal metal allowing water to seep around the threads. Eventually, thefitting will begin to spray water. Email sender deluxe v2.35 free. Therefore, even though you are not inemergency mode as yet, this problem must be taken care of A.S.A.P.

The leakagemay or may not be correctable, depending on the severity of the corrosion. Beprepared the only repair option may be replacing the water heater.Most water heater connections are not designed to be taken apart withoutcutting the pipes so a rescue operation will involve pipe cutting, disassemblyand examination of the fittings to determine whether or not they can be saved.It may take nothing more than wrapping the threads of the threaded connectorwith a few layers of Teflon pipe wrap and reassembling it.

Then again, if thecorrosion has deeply pitted the fixed connector on the water tank, it may leakwhen reassembled no matter what you do! Worst case disassembly might evendamage the tank!Since reattachment of the pipes will be pretty much the same for an old or anew water heater, you should give some serious thought to replacing it now. Ifthe heater is ten or more years old, you have reached the end of its useful lifeand would probably be better off getting a new one.

Old water heaters, even ifthey don't leak, tend to be less energy efficient. Even if you have beendiligent in draining the heater annually to remove energy-stealing sediment fromthe tank, buildup of hard scale in the tank still robs you hard-earned money 24hours a day!Over a few years a new heater will probably pay for itself in energysavings.

With the added benefit of you NOT having to clean up the soggy messof a major water heater failure.Dear NH, My pilot light won't stay lit on my hot water tank and I've been told it isthe thermocouple. I am very handy with most things around the house and wouldlike to try and install this myself. It is only a $6.00 part and yet they want$40 to install it! Could you tell me the steps to installing a thermocouple. Ihave the bottom cover off the tank and am familiar with where the pilot lightis.

Could you please walk me through this? KDear K,This is one of the less dangerous gas appliance repairs since you do not haveto disconnect any gas lines. As a disclaimer, I am hesitant to encourageinexperienced people to do their own gas appliance installations and repairsbecause of the danger involved. Plumbers have special safety procedures andtools to minimize the risk of explosion or fire.First things first turn off the gas at the main shutoff. If the heater hasbeen running let it cool for at least 20 minutes.The thermocouple is located near the pilot light. It is designed as a safetyfeature that automatically turns off the gas supply should the pilot go out.

Itworks by generating a small amount of electricity when heated, keeping the gasvalve open. The gas control valve is essentially a 'dead manswitch'.

If the electricity stops flowing, the switch opens and the valvecloses.I cannot tell you the exact location or appearance of the thermocouple, butif you purchase an exact replacement you should be able to visibly find it,since it will be in plain view behind the inspection plate.There is a tube attached to the thermocouple that must be disconnected fromthe gas control valve. Once you unscrew the nut holding the tube in place, youwill be able to slide the thermocouple out of the bracket on which it rests. Ifthere is another fastening method, it should be obvious by visual inspection ofthe old thermocouple.The new thermocouple is installed by the reverse procedure.

Slide it inplace and then attach the thermocouple tube to the gas control valve.If the new thermocouple does not attach exactly like the old one, stop therepair and call or visit your parts supplier to be sure that you have thecorrect part!Hope this is helpful. And be careful!Dear NH, I watched the installation of a 'Hot water Circulation Pump' on aTV handyman show. I would like to procure one or two, but can't find a source.Would you have any info on this device?The device is a small pump installed under the sink of the bathroom furthestfrom the hot water heater. It is connected to an electrical switch mounted underthe counter. It comes with flex hoses for easy connection into the water lines.When the switch is pushed the pump circulates the hot water back to the coldwater side for a few minutes. This eliminates having to waste water for severalminutes until it is hot enough to use.

DB from Winter Park, FLDB,I heard of this type of recirculation system at least 20 years ago, though notas a kit, in the days of the (shudder) energy crisis! Its availability wasproportional to the creativity of the plumber.in other words, animprovisational job. I have wanted to try this project myself, as I have asimilar problem to yours. Having a very adequate well system in my own home, Inever felt pressured to institute extensive conservation measures (even if theproject seemed like fun).

However, I know everyone is not as fortunate as I amin this regard.Let's walk through the concept, and see how you could build one yourself withcommonly available parts, and then discuss the 'kit'.First, the pump. The choice of the pump is critical. In a long ranch-stylehome with one floor, the 'head'.

The height the water has to beraised by the pump. Is not very critical. However, a large multi-floor dwellingwill need a pump that can push the water from water source to the second (orthird) floor.

This rise can be over 16 feet. The pump also must be able tohandle very hot water. Not all pumps are designed to handle water over 120degrees. So the pump of choice would probably be a solar hot water system pump.These run from $100 to $200.The real trick in this project is to lace your return piping back to the coldwater inlet side of the hot water heater. This will require some ingenuity andprobably some minor demolition!The connection is not extremely difficult but does require some plumbing skillsand electrical skills. The pump (outlet side) would be installed on a T-fittingon the cold water line to the hot water heater, regardless of the type (tank orfurnace-fed).

One pipe would have to be run from the faucet side of the hotwater shutoff all the way to the inlet side of the pump, forming a loop. Thepump acts as a one-way check valve so cold water can't be drawn up to the hotfaucet.As far as the electrical wiring goes, these pumps draw around one amp at 115volts, meaning you should be able to connect it to an existing circuit in thebathroom. I would put a switch near the pump as a shutoff. The pumpdocumentation should help you determine the type of wiring necessary for theswitch you locate under the bathroom sink. Also, I would use a standardelectrical wall-type switch in an electrical box under the sink.

You will getbetter service life than a push-type switch. Also, you will be able to tell ifthe pump is on or off at a glance! If you wanted to get really exotic, and alsoprotect yourself from having the pump run too long. Which would be a realwaste of hot water. You could use a timer switch instead.There is a company on the web that sells this system in kit form. It iscalled the Metlund Hot Water D'MAND System at.There are advantages to this kitover a pure D-I-Y job. They supply a flexible copper tubing to speedinstallation and temperature sensitive relays that automatically turn off thepump when the hot water reaches the faucet.

This system can also be used atintermediate faucets on the line (such as in the kitchen or other bathrooms) byinstalling a separate switch and relay under each sink. It has a low voltageswitch system, making the additional wiring easier because of the smaller wiresize used, along with reduced shock hazard at the remote bathrooms. A goodidea if you have kids.They have a great schematic of the layout of these systems at the web site, thatis worth looking at if only out of curiosity!Dear NH, I own a condo that is about 11 years old and my water heater is locatedupstairs and I'm worried that it may burst and do some serious damage to myplace. I have had a few neighbors have their water heaters burst and had toreplace them. Would it be wise to replace mine?

JHDear JH,The average life expectancy of a water heater is 8 to 12 years, though someunits last significantly longer. If I were you, I would begin shopping fora new one before you pay for it twice! I must also stress the importance of having a drainage pan installed underthe new hot water heater. The pan functions as a catch basin for anyleakage.

Many contractors install water heaters in attic spaces in condos,especially in smaller units where living space is minimal and basements arenonexistent. Unfortunately, they often do not install the pan, so anyleakage can be damaging or even catastrophic for the homeowner.The pan has a drain built into it, which can be run into your plumbing drainsystem or even to the outside of your home.

This would be determined by thecode requirements for your area.Dear NH, Our house is 4 years old. Recently we have been having problemswith our hot water heater. Sometimes the water is not hot. The pilotlight is on, the temperature is set correctly. Is it possible we needto replace our hot water heater already?

Someone told me there may besediment in the bottom of it. How do you take care of this withoutgetting into major expenses. Looking forward to your answer. Thank you KD from a distant starKD,There is an article at the site on draining sediment out of waterheaters at.Draining the tank in a gas water heater will improve the efficiency ofthe heater if you have a significant accumulation of sediment.

Thelayer of sediment acts like insulation, slowing down regenerationthe speed at which your water heats up.It should be noted that sediment does not have a significant effecton the efficiency of electric water heaters because the heatingelements are located above the bottom of the tank.If draining the sediment does not improve the function of yourwater heater, you should bring in a service person to examine it. I donot encourage do-it-yourselfers to experiment on gas appliances.Dear NH, I have a problem with the temperature of the water in my home. Ihave a hot water heating system, and my water is heated by the samefurnace.

I do not have a hot water tank. Instead, the water comesdirectly from the furnace. According to my oil burner company, I mustkeep the temperature of the water in the furnace above 140 degrees ormy heating system will not work properly. This seems to be extremelyhot and I am concerned that my little one (when he is old enough toreach the faucet) may burn himself. Should I insist he lower thefurnace temperature?

PB from Scranton, PAPB,You are without-a-doubt correct to be concerned about your watertemperature. Back in the good old days, it was not uncommon for waterheaters to be set at 160 degrees, more than hot enough to causeimmediate severe scalding burns!

Nowadays, the standard setting forhot water is between 110 and 120 degrees.However, I would advise against changing the water temperature ofyour furnace. Your furnace guy (or gal) is absolutely correctlowering the temperature will radically change the built-in efficiencyof your furnace and of your heating system as a whole.Think about it if you lower the temperature of the furnace, thetemperature of the water circulating through your radiators willlikewise be lowered. This will in turn increase the amount of time itwill take for your home to be heated. All things being equal, it takesthe same amount of oil to keep your home at a certain temperatureregardless of how hot the water is. Therefore, your oil burner willhave to cycle on and off more often to maintain this lower temperaturebecause it will take longer for the temperature to rise.

This willcause increased wear and tear on the furnace without any gain (or evena loss) in efficiency. The most inefficient moment in your furnace'soperation is when it first starts up!So instead of focusing on the furnace as the culprit, you can takemeasures to lower the faucet hot water temperature AFTER it leaves thefurnace. This is done through the installation of a 'mixingvalve'. A mixing valve is a simple thermostatically-controlledmechanism that mixes a little cold water with the hot water to lowerthe temperature.

Mixing valves are adjustable to product the desiredwater temperature, but it is wise to use a thermometer to verify thetemperature at the tap. Installation does require some plumbing skillssuch as pipe cutting and soldering, but the end result is worth it!Dear NH, I have a gas hot water heater and I am having a problem lighting the pilotlight. For some reason the pilot does not stay lit when I turn the switch from'pilot' to 'on'.

CP from Plainfield, ILDear CP,There is a safety device called a 'thermocouple' in all gas furnaces andwater heaters that utilize a pilot light. The thermocouple generates anelectrical charge when heated, opening a valve which fuels the pilot flame.Should the pilot light go out, the thermocouple cools quickly and the pilotvalve closes, preventing your home from filling with gas. The pilot position onyour valve switch essentially overrides the thermocouple, allowing you to lightthe pilot.There should be specific instructions for lighting the pilot light somewhereon the unit, but if not, here is the generic procedure. First, turn the manualgas control knob to 'pilot'.

This position allows gas to flow to the pilot soyou can light it. You will notice that the knob is spring loaded and turns offas soon as you release it. Once the pilot flame ignites, hold the knob in thepilot position for about 30 seconds so that the flame thoroughly heats thethermocouple. If the thermocouple is working properly, when you release themanual valve, the pilot will remain lit. Turn the knob to the 'on' position sothat gas can now flow to the main heating elements.If this procedure fails, try holding the control knob open for up to aminute.

If the pilot light still refuses to stay lit, you may need to eitheradjust the pilot light or replace the thermocouple. Both of these procedures arefairly easy, safe and do not require you to disconnect any gas lines.Dear NH, I have hear that there are products on the market that you can attach toyour shower head to produce instant hot water. Can you tell me somemanufacturers that make such a product and where they are located? LSLS,Instant hot water showers are available in many parts of the world. Actually,the concept is ingenious. Instead of the intricate plumbing and wasted waternormally associated with showers, only one pipe.

Leads to theheating unit which is conveniently located right inside the shower enclosure.All adjustments for temperature are made at the heater which means instant andfairly consistent water temperature with no wasted water or electrical power!They are not available worldwide, though, in part due to a low product demandin water-and-electrically-rich countries. For example, Alpha Electric, one ofthe links below, currently exports to Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia,Philippines, Vietnam, Fiji and United Arab Emirates. I could not find a companythat exported to the Americas.These units currently aren't engineered to meet the strict electrical codesin some countries. In the US, for example, electrical codes current don't allowfor any household-current electrical devices within shower enclosures.

To getthese 'instant showers' approved and the applicable electrical codes changedwould undoubtedly be a costly political battle. Also, the voltage requirementsmay not be compatible with your own local power grid.Here are three links to companies on the Web that offer these specialtyheaters.This sort of sensible alternative to central water heating will only occurwhen governments. Spurred on by public opinion. Start encouraging reasonableconservation through the use of these and other energy-saving devices.Dear NH, For the first time in 10 years my gas water heater is dripping a smallamount of water out the relief valve discharge line onto the basement floor. Isthis ok or do I need repairs?

Can I Leave My Tankless Water Heater In Line When Unused Heat

KO from Newnan, GADear KO,Consider this little drip a polite warning sign that some repairs may be inorder. If you have not noticed any other changes in the system. Unusualincrease in the temperature of the water, for example. Then the valve is mostlikely the culprit.The only way that a water heater can become dangerously overpressurized is ifthe thermostat(s) did not turn off the heating elements (in an electric unit) orgas flame (in a gas unit) at the temperature setting of the water heater. Thiscan cause the water in the tank to overheat or even boil! The valve is supposedto open under these extreme conditions to protect the damage to the tank or toyour plumbing fixtures by relieving the pressure.By your description, this does not sound like an emergency situation but itcould eventually turn into one.

Can I Leave My Tankless Water Heater In Line When Unused Water

I would suggest having the pressure relief valvereplaced at your earliest convenience.NH Need more info?

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