Use caution when dealing with hot water! Hot water can be dangerous. Adults and children alike can be scalded or become sick with Legionnaires’ disease if your hot water system is not setup properly. Furthermore, installing hot water systems is dangerous.
Is your water heater dangerous?
While water heaters look non-threatening, if a problem is left unattended, it can pose a real danger to both your home and your family. Just because your water heater is a “part” of your home rather than a boiling pot of water over an open flame like in the olden days, doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain precautions to be aware of.
How hot is too hot for a hot water heater?
Further muddling the answer is the stance of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, recommending a maximum water temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for safety reasons. The organization believes that hot water (higher than 120 degrees) can cause burn injuries in susceptible people.
Are gas water heaters safe for kids?
A water heater, especially a gas water heater, can be dangerous. From hot water burns to severe explosions, it needs to be continuously inspected and respected. That’s why you want to keep your kids away.
What are the most common water heater safety tips?
Read the following list of water heater safety tips that you should know. Improperly placed vents, vents with drafts, and defunct vents can cause fumes to go inside the home rather than ventilate outdoors.
How do I make sure my water heater is safe?
7 Important Water Heater Safety TipsChoose the Correct Size. Make sure your water heater is the correct size for your home. ... Prevent Heat Loss. ... Set The Correct Temperature. ... Keep the Water Heater Close Clear. ... Kids-Free Zone. ... Test Safety Relief Valves. ... Professional Maintenance.
How safe are gas hot water heaters?
If your water heater is fueled by gas it is imperative that you install a carbon monoxide monitor in your home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that carbon monoxide poisoning – an odorless and colorless gas – kills 200 people each year and sends another 10,000 people to the hospital.
What is better a gas water heater or electric?
Efficiency. If you are comparing the efficiency of an electric water heater vs a gas unit, electric heaters are more efficient. Although gas hot water heaters are less expensive to run monthly due to the low cost of natural gas—a gas heater uses more energy to operate and releases waste into the environment.
Can gas water heater catch fire?
The short answer is: YES. Water heaters can definitely cause a fire. But this doesn't mean that water heaters are inherently dangerous; it highlights that improper use and neglect of such systems could lead to more significant problems down the road.
Can a gas water heater cause carbon monoxide?
If you have a gas water heater in your home that has been neglected for a long time, improperly installed, or poorly ventilated, it could leak carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced by burning fuels, such as gas, during operation.
What is the safety system that all gas water heaters have?
Another key safety feature of a hot water heater is the temperature and pressure-relief (T & P) valve and discharge pipe. It operates like the radiator cap on your car. The purpose of this valve is to relieve excessive temperature or pressure build-up inside the tank if it approaches the limit of the tank's design.
What are the dangers of a water heater?
Common Water Heater Injuries Thousands of children are injured each year from scalding hot water that is the result of a water heater temperature being set too high. Leaks, fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, or even explosions are all possible causes of injury.
What condition with a gas water heater should be reported as a safety hazard?
A water heater with a pressure relief valve discharge tube that is down-sized from the manufacturer's original outlet or the relief valve outlet is unsafe, risking a BLEVE explosion. Any home inspector or building code compliance inspector would be expected to cite this as an unsafe condition.
How to tell if gas is leaking from water heater?
Natural gas is colorless and odorless. But the gas company adds a strong odor to it so you can detect a gas leak. If you smell gas, close the gas shut-off valve (see above) to the gas hot water heater.
What to do if water heater is standing in water?
If the water heater is standing in water. Don’t touch it. Leave your home immediately and call the gas company.
What to do if you smell gas in your basement?
One such emergency might be that you smell gas coming from your basement. When this happens, the first thing to do is call your gas utility company. They will diagnose the problem.
What to do if gas leaks in house?
PRO TIP: If you suspect a serious gas leak in your home, don’t hesitate. Immediately leave your home and call your gas utility company. This is a dangerous and explosive situation best handled by the experts.
How to contact Tom Plumber?
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help lighting, repairing, or installing your hot water heater.
Where is the shut off valve on a water heater?
Another safety precaution is to find the shutoff valve. It’s located typically on the gas line parallel to the water heater. When the valve handle is in line with the gas line, the pipe is open. To shut it off, turn the handle clockwise until it is perpendicular to the gas line.
How to make a boundary around appliances?
Use tape, string, chalk, or paint to establish a boundary around the appliances. A minimum boundary of 18 inches is required, though further is even better. Then teach your children never to cross it without an adult.
First check for plumber's tape
Experts modified the procedure for strapping water heaters following the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes. Prior to this, a single strap of plumbers' tape was commonly used. Because so many tanks burst through this strapping, experts now recommend:
Second, secure tank with heavy-gauge metal straps, top and bottom
Commercially available strapping kits make this a relatively easy process. These can be found in many hardware stores on the aisle displaying the water heaters. These kits come complete with the strapping, lag screws, washers, spacers and tension bolts.
An emergency source of water
Water can easily be accessed by connecting a garden hose to the drain spout, and by opening a faucet somewhere in the house.
What is an anode rod?
The anode rod produces a low resistance electrical current to establish an electrical circuit in the water heater that controls corrosion through cathodic protection. Cathodic protection can be defined as a means of protecting a surface from corrosion by making that surface cathodic through the use of a current derived from an anode.
Why do water heaters have anode rods?
This naturally induced voltage is created due to the potential difference between various metals (batteries are based upon this same principle). Anode rods help protect your water heater's glass lining and water heater tank from the corrosive characteristics of your incoming water.
Why do water heaters switch off?
Each water heater has a differential temperature range to keep your water heater at your desired temperature. In the rare case that the water temperature vastly exceeds this temperature range, it will switch off to keep your home safe. If you experience overheating within your water heater, we recommend that you consult a professional plumbing ...
Why does my T&P valve leak?
In the unlikely case that the water temperature vastly exceeds the nominal temperature or the pressure is substantially higher than nominal, the T&P valve may open to release excess pressure and hot water. Water expands during the normal water heating process, creating higher pressure inside the tank. We generally recommend the use of an expansion tank to keep the pressure in the tank at a reasonable level. If an expansion tank is not used, then the expanded water has nowhere to go and it will increase the pressure in the system. A leaking T&P valve may indicate an unsafe temperature or pressure situation. If this occurs, we recommend that you consult a professional plumbing contractor for assistance.
Why do you line the inside of a water heater with glass?
By lining the inside of the water heater with glass, heat stays within the tank and protects the steel exterior from rusting and becoming a safety risk.
What does it mean when a T&P valve leaks?
A leaking T&P valve may indicate an unsafe temperature or pressure situation. If this occurs, we recommend that you consult a professional plumbing contractor for assistance.
Can you vent a water heater?
By venting your water heater properly, you can keep exhaust created by your water heater outside of your home. There are many types of vent configurations available, each designed to fit specific needs. Be sure to consult a professional plumbing contractor to inspect your home's venting before installation to provide recommendations that are best suited for your needs.
What is an instant hot water heater?
An instant hot water heater is a heating system that warms water on-demand, rather than storing hot water in an insulated tank. That means instead of measuring the volume of hot water produced by the unit, as we might with a storage water heater, we measure flow rate in gallons per minute. Typical units can heat between 2 and 5 gallons of hot water per minute. Instant water heaters use either electricity or natural gas to rapidly heat water as you use it. That means your water heater sits idle until you need it to work. Storage water heaters, by comparison, heat a large volume of water and store it for instant access as needed.
Why use an instant heater?
Another benefit of an instant heater is the speed with which they can heat your water. In many cases, you’ll have hot water within seconds of turning on the tap. This reduces wasted water and improves home comfort and convenience — no more standing around waiting for the shower to heat up!
Is instant hot water cheaper than storage water heaters?
Instant hot water heaters are typically cheaper to operate over the span of their existence than storage heaters. They use far less energy than older storage units per gallon of water heated. Since many tankless heaters need to be replaced half as often as a traditional storage water heater, the increased up-front cost of installation will usually be offset over the life of the unit. Instant water heaters are also safer. There is less risk of flooding or water damage since these units don’t have a tank that could spring a leak. They’re also easy to shut off if you leave for vacation and don’t require draining if you plan to be away for a long time.
Is a gas water heater better than an electric water heater?
Gas instant hot water heaters are typically less efficient than electric, but usually provide more gallons of hot water per minute. Electric models are extremely efficient — up to 99% of the electricity gets converted directly to heat. Compare that to older storage heaters that can operate at as little as 67% efficiency, and you start to get an idea of why many families are interested in switching to tankless instant heaters!
What Factors Should You Consider When Setting the Water Heater’s Thermostat?
People have different perceptions about what constitutes the ideal hot water temperature. I may be comfortable with 120 degrees, but you or other people might prefer 130 or 140 degrees. Regardless of the water heater type you have, it would be best to consider the following factors.
What temperature should a water heater be?
Water heater manufacturers set their water heater temperature at 140 degrees Fahrenheit by default, believing most people find the temperature more relaxing and soothing.
How hot can Legionella die?
Even the dreaded Legionella will die at 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, some heat-resistant viruses require more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit for inactivation.
How much energy savings can a water heater generate?
The US Department of Energy says that setting the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can generate energy savings between 4% and 22% annually. The savings result from lower demand losses (at least $400 per year) and reduced standby losses (between $36 and $61 every year).
What temperature should a family be in?
Most people might consider the 120-degree Fahrenheit recommendation ideal for their family. Unfortunately, no two families or households are exactly alike. That is why it would be best to consider how certain factors play into the equation.
How hot should a water heater be?
Hence, if you are conscious about your electric bills, you might want to set the water heater to not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the ideal temperature for water?
On the other hand, the US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency set the ideal water temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to prevent gas water heater accidents?
To help prevent accidents related to gas water heaters, be sure that the water heater is properly vented. Put carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home to alert you if the levels should become dangerous . Keep the area around and near the gas water heater clean, using plain water, if possible. Chemicals found in cleaners may be a dangerous mix with gas fumes coming from the water heater. Also keep the area clear of combustible or flammable materials. Do not store or use any type of chemicals near the water heater.
What causes a vapor fire in a water heater?
Flammable vapor fires happen when vapors from that gas water heater collect around the appliance and ignite when the water heater kicks on. Combustible materials such as gasoline cans, cleaners and paints, as well as old papers and clothes can be ignited during a vapor fire and cause further damage. Keep the area around your water heater clear to eliminate that fuel for the fire.
How does a gas water heater start a fire?
Generally, the fire starts by flammable materials left lying to close to the tank. Some people get a little nervous just hearing the gurgling sound the water heater makes, thinking that it will explode at any moment. There are dangers involved with gas water heaters, but these can be avoided with regular water heater maintenance ...
Why is carbon monoxide a silent killer?
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer because people who are sleeping can die from poisoning before symptoms are noticed. Have your water heater serviced regularly and install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home to protect your family.
Why does my water heater explode?
Another reason for explosion of a gas water heater is a faulty pressure relief valve. If this is not working properly, pressure will build up on the inside of the tank until it can hold no more, resulting in explosion. Never, under any circumstances, cap a pressure relief valve. Advertisement.
What happens if you smell gas in your house?
Gas appliances, including gas water heaters, can also experience gas leaks over time. One little spark can cause an explosion in your home. If you smell gas, get out of the home and contact the gas company immediately. They can check for the presence of gas and determine if you need to make repairs.
Can carbon monoxide poisoning cause nausea?
Gas appliances in the home that are not properly vented can cause carbon monoxide poisoning in people and pets living in the home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can make you suddenly ill or even quickly cause death. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, ...
