Post by: erik the bold on November 14, 2005, 11:44:49 AM
The way the plumbing is arranged, I can theoretically shut one off, turn some valves, and have one heater run the whole place. Since there's only three of us, I figured that shutting one heater down will save me a bunch on gas. (
)If I shut one down and isolate it, do I have to drain it, or should I just leave it alone ?
Post by: K Frame on November 14, 2005, 12:09:34 PM
After a while, the water inside will stagnate and it will become a prime breeding point for nasty stuff, such as Legionella (Legionnair's Disese).
Post by: charby on November 14, 2005, 12:46:08 PM
Charby
Post by: Declaration Day on November 14, 2005, 01:33:55 PM
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 14, 2005, 02:37:53 PM
If it hasn't been done already, a simple water heater blanket/wrap will do more than you realize insofar as helping efficiency. Also, wrapping the exposed piping with thermal foam wrap will help. People don't realize just how much heat is lost due to the copper piping conducting heat away from the storage tank. In case you didn't know, copper is twice as efficient at thermal transfer as aluminum, which is twice as efficent as steel. All the copper piping you can see under your house is acting like a big radiator pulling heat out of your water heater's storage tank.
Also, just turning down the thermostat on the heater will do more than you realize. Combined with a blanket and some simple foam wrap, just turning the thermostat down to minimum can easily cut the gas use on an idle water heater a whopping 60-70%. Plus, you will have quick access to hot water if you ever need it by just turning up the thermostat. The latent heat in the system will also give an added measure of freezing protection when the mercury really starts to drop.
I don't know that I'd mothball the whole thing. It seems that unused things deteriorate faster than those used in moderation. And some simple steps will keep the gas use to a minimum while still allowing you to access the water when needed.
Brad
Post by: K Frame on November 14, 2005, 02:58:07 PM
I really hesitate to wrap a gas appliance in a water heater blanket. A lot of sites I've seen recommend against it. I'd only do it if it if using fiberglass insulation with a non-flammable or fire retardent out coating.
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 14, 2005, 03:04:47 PM
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I really hesitate to wrap a gas appliance in a water heater blanket. A lot of sites I've seen recommend against it. I'd only do it if it if using fiberglass insulation with a non-flammable or fire retardent out coating.
I would only use the units that have cut-outs for the thermostat and vent cover areas, and in no case would I use one was that was not made of 100% fire-retardant materials.Would you believe I have actually seen someone wrap a water heater in ratty old cotton blankets they picked up at Goodwill? Secured with duct tape, no less. They were so proud at the money they had saved
Brad
Post by: Standing Wolf on November 14, 2005, 05:25:54 PM
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Would you believe I have actually seen someone wrap a water heater in ratty old cotton blankets they picked up at Goodwill? Secured with duct tape, no less. They were so proud at the money they had saved
I'd believe it, although real cheapskates use saved string, not expensive duct tape.
Post by: cfabe on November 15, 2005, 03:37:00 AM
I've never worried too much about insulating the hot water heater or hot water pipes... The heat they lose just helps heat the house in the winter. And in the summer the natural gas bills are only like $30 so it must not be losing that much heat.