Water Heater Safety & Efficiency

Safety

The following are general safety and installation requirements for a standard water heater.

• All water heaters placed in the garage must be 18 inches off the floor to prevent accidental combustion of gasoline fumes in the garage.
• All water heaters in the garage must have a physical barrier to prevent impact damage from automobiles.
• In some locations, water heaters must be mechanically secured (i.e. earthquake straps) to prevent the system from being dislodged.
• Gas or oil-fired water heaters should not be located in sleeping areas.
• Heaters are generally set to 120 ° F to help prevent accidental scalding.  However, with some dishwashers that do not have a heating element to raise the temperature of the water, spotting of glassware and dishes may occur.  Check the dishwasher's manufacturer information for the recommended temperature setting.
• Require properly installed temperature and pressure relief valve and discharge tube.

Recovery Rate

Recovery rate is a measure of the number of gallons water that can be heated (from approximately 50° F) to 100° F in one hour. The faster the recovery rate, the more water can be used without running out of hot water. Generally, oiled-fired systems create the most heat and have the fastest recovery rate followed by gas-fired systems and then electric systems. Since fuel-fired heaters have a higher recovery rate, a large tank may not always be needed.  Conversely, larger tanks that hold more usable hot water, do not require a faster recovery rate and can be sufficient for intermittent use. Either way, when choosing a water heater, select one with an appropriate capacity and recovery rate to match the daily hot water demands of the home.

Insulation

An external insulation blanket wraps around the sides of the water heater.  Insulation blankets prevent heat from radiating from the tank and help reduce the fuel cost associated with maintaining the 120° F to 130° F storage temperature. To determine if one is needed, feel the water heater jacket. If it is warm, heat is escaping and the tank should be insulated. If it is cool, no insulation is needed.

Newer heaters do not require and actually have warnings posted not to add an insulation blanket. With gas or oil-fired systems, the insulation should be kept away from the burner area. No insulation should be installed on the top of the heater

Pipe insulation of the hot water line will also help increase efficiency.

Peak Timers

Peak timers are installed on electric heaters and allow the water heater to turn on during specific times of the day. However, this requires that all activities using hot water (e.g. bathing, laundry, dishwashing, etc.) be accomplished at generally the same time of the day.