Comments on: House Water Heater Venting, How To Do It Right

By: admin

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:07:42 +0000

Lisa…, I’m not sure what is your questions related to… electric water heaters are as safe as the gas water heaters. Depending on the water heater size, it might have one or two heating elements. If one of them fails (usually the bottom one first), it will take much longer to heat-up that tank of water. Each heating element has a small adjustment screw / thermostat with a temperature scale. By turning the screw you will lower or increase the water heater tank output temperature. EXTREMELY IMPORTANT:
1. before any attempt to change the temperature, you must TURN OFF the electric water heater power supply! – the thermostat is concealed behind a metal plate, often covered with insulation, and there might be some exposed high voltage wires
2. It takes just one second to burn your skin with 160F water temperature, 1/2 minute at 130F. The maximum water temperature setting suggested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission is 120F (about 10 minutes of exposure will give you 3rd degree burns). 110F is safe but not hot enough for some of us… Be careful.

By: lisa

lisa — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:33:10 +0000

my water heater is gas. had to replace it. friend had one but it is eletric. boyfriend used it. water isnt getting real hot. warm. how safe is this?

By: admin

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:43:34 +0000

Hi, unfortunately you do need those holes, if you follow this link, I've explained everything in more detail - Combustion Air for Fuel Burning Appliances. Proper venting of your water heater and your safety depends on air supplied for its combustion. If your water heater closet / cabinet has an exterior wall (to the outside), there's an attic above or basement / crawlspace underneath, you'll have more choices which could save your new door. Let me know or check the post linked above in a couple of days for more info.

By: Laura Courier

Laura Courier — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:43:55 +0000

Hello,
I have a question, Our gas water heater is in a cabinet inside. The cabinet is old and has venting grills on the bottom and top of the door. When we had the water heater replaced a few years ago, it was properly vented to the outside. We are going to replace the cabinet now and I was wondering, do we need to vent the door again now that the heater has been vented to the outside? I hate to put holes in the new door if it is unnecessary. If we do need to vent the door, do you know what size the holes need to be for code? Currently they are 14in wide and 8in high. I would appreciate your expertise on this!