water heater covers

Discussion in 'Plumbing Forum, Professional & DIY Advice' started by Alexdc99, Apr 12, 2006.

  1. Alexdc99

    Alexdc99 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2004
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Do they work and save money by insulating the tank from heat loss? I have an electric 40gl and Hydro rates going up 15% next month.
     
    Alexdc99, Apr 12, 2006
    #1
  2. Cass

    Cass Plumber

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2005
    Location:
    Ohio
    Anything that slows the loss of heat will help.
     
    Cass, Apr 12, 2006
    #2
  3. Sponsor

    Sponsor Paid Advertisement

     
  4. hj

    hj Moderator & Master Plumber Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Occupation:
    Plumber
    Location:
    Cave Creek, Arizona
    blanket

    Feel the heater jacket. If it is warm or hot, the blanket will help. If not, then it is a waste of money. And check the tags on the water heater itself first. Some manufacturers recommend not using a blanket because it can throw the thermostat settings off.
     
    hj, Apr 13, 2006
    #3
  5. toolaholic

    toolaholic General Contractor Carpenter

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2005
    Occupation:
    Repairing and remodeling homes
    Location:
    Marin Co. Ca.
    check with manuf. before using one

    may void warantee with some new ones!
     
    toolaholic, Apr 13, 2006
    #4
  6. geniescience

    geniescience Homeowner

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2005
    Occupation:
    ditto
    Location:
    humid summers hot, humid winters cold
    make your own insulation, to start with.

    Any insulation at all is better than none. It slows heat transfer. Never stops it, just slows it down. The tank has a bit of insulation to start with. No need to leave it at that. Add your own. Anything at all. Either to block airflow, or to block what is known as 'radiation'. A radiator radiates. Your heater radiates, just a bit less in one area, and more overall, so you don't notice it as much as you would with a radiator.

    How to start? Believe it or not, anything anything anything that you have at hand and that you feel is safe to put there is fine to start with. See if you end up with a 'significant' amount of heat between your new barrier and the heater, later, when you slide your hand in there. If so, then the thing you put there is working as expected. Covering way more than half of the hot water heater will cause you to feel a sensation that a lot of heat is coming out of the uninsulated sections. More about this sensation later. Meanwhile, enjoy the testing and trial process. Bye for now.
     
    geniescience, Apr 13, 2006
    #5
  7. dubldare

    dubldare Plumber/Gasfitter

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2005
    Occupation:
    Plumber/Gasfitter
    Location:
    MN/ND
    Use of insulation blankets on AOSmith water heaters voids the warranty. Read the front of the book.
     
    dubldare, Apr 13, 2006
    #6
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