Wade Lippman
New Member
I have a 10 year old State Select induced draft water heater. It well below zero outside, and has been for 24 hours; that is extremely unusual here. The first 6 years it was only used during the summer. Last year I opened it up to clean the flame sensor when it stopped working and was surprised at how much corrosion there was down there; but since I don't see many water heaters it might have been normal.
1)Tonight the shower water was not as hot as usual. The flame looked normal, the air intake seemed normal; the water just wasn't as hot as usual. When I turned the valve all the way, it got really hot, but in the normal position it wasn't. I have it set to the middle setting, and the water measures 135 at the kitchen sink.
Is it possible that the cold water mixing with the hot is colder than normal, so the valve has to be turned hotter to compensate? If not, than what?
2)In looking at the water heater, I noticed a draft off the air inlet when the heater wasn't running. Is that normal?
Could a flapper be put on it so air can go in, but not out? Or is it just a matter that I have some negative pressure for some reason, and air will come in the house somewhere and it might as well be the water heater inlet?
3)While thinking about water heaters, I wondered if it is prudent to replace them proactively; it is 10 year old, maybe it is time to retire it? I moved from my last two houses when the heaters were 15 and 22 years old, so it is probably not an issue, but #1 got me to thinking about it.
It might be cheaper to do at my convenience than in an emergency.
My wife disagrees with me on this, but I expect to live here less than 10 years. I figure it will be just one water heater whether I replace it now or in 2 years. Does any of this make sense?
Thanks.
1)Tonight the shower water was not as hot as usual. The flame looked normal, the air intake seemed normal; the water just wasn't as hot as usual. When I turned the valve all the way, it got really hot, but in the normal position it wasn't. I have it set to the middle setting, and the water measures 135 at the kitchen sink.
Is it possible that the cold water mixing with the hot is colder than normal, so the valve has to be turned hotter to compensate? If not, than what?
2)In looking at the water heater, I noticed a draft off the air inlet when the heater wasn't running. Is that normal?
Could a flapper be put on it so air can go in, but not out? Or is it just a matter that I have some negative pressure for some reason, and air will come in the house somewhere and it might as well be the water heater inlet?
3)While thinking about water heaters, I wondered if it is prudent to replace them proactively; it is 10 year old, maybe it is time to retire it? I moved from my last two houses when the heaters were 15 and 22 years old, so it is probably not an issue, but #1 got me to thinking about it.
It might be cheaper to do at my convenience than in an emergency.
My wife disagrees with me on this, but I expect to live here less than 10 years. I figure it will be just one water heater whether I replace it now or in 2 years. Does any of this make sense?
Thanks.