How to Install Tankless Water Heater?

Started by inspecting the previous traditional tank-type water heater installation.

After shutting off the gas and water valves, we unhook the gas and water hookups, then drain the water heater of water.

After moving the previous tank-type water heater we are ready to begin installation of a new energy efficient tankless water heater. We begin by installing new shorter water pipes through the floor to the basement, using the previous holes in the floor. We screw two foot long 2" x 4" pieces of wood to the studs inside the wall, giving us a secure place to mount our tankless water heater. We then use Stainless Steel Wound Water hoses to go to the cold water intake and hot water output. Our tank-type water heater left a great place for our new Dual-Chamber Intake/Exhaust Flue Pipe.

After the install was complete, Jim held the exhaust after 15 minutes of run time to show how the Dual-Chamber Intake/Exhaust Flue Pipe creates very little heat along the pipe.

Our mission was complete in one afternoon, completed by three guys with general knowledge in plumbing and construction.

How to Identify and Fix a Leaking Water Heater.?

A water heater leaking is not always that dramatic. Sometimes it is just a trickle, or a small stream. Even if it seems minor, a leaky water heater is not something that should be ignored. A water heater leaking can cause lack of hot water, property damage and large expenses. It is possible, however, to fix a leaking water heater if you catch the problem early enough.

Water Heater Leaking – Identifying the Problem

The first step in fixing a leaking water heater is to identify the cause of your hot water heater leaking. You must evaluate the water heater to determine from where the water is leaking. Is there a rupture in the actual water tank or is the water just seeping from the fittings around the pipes?

Figuring this out starts with understanding the construction of a hot water heater. The outer portion of a hot water heater is basically a large metal tube. It is connected to water pipes, and electricity or gas as the actual heating fuel. Sometimes a hot water heater leaking is caused by simple rusting or wear-and-tear of the metal outer part. If this is the case, there is no repair that will make the hot water heater functional or safe. This is the time for a hot water heater replacement. Inside this metal casing is the actual water tank.

The tank is a sealed unit inside the heater. It is generally made from glass, which makes it highly durable, but it does occasionally rupture. If this is the cause of your water heater leaking you need to purchase a new water heater. A ruptured tank simply can’t be fixed. If the water is leaking from the pipes that go in or out of the heater, you are probably capable of fixing it on your own. It may be a result of loose fittings or a pressure relief valve that need to be replaced.

Water Heater Leaking – Preparing to Fix the Problem

When you notice your water heater leaking and decide to fix it yourself, you must be prepared to avoid a messy and dangerous situation. Before you begin you should collect all of the tools and materials you will need. This includes a wrench, towels, a bucket and some plumbing thread. Once all of these items are collected you need to shut down the heater. Because a water heater is an electric appliance it is essential that you cut off power to it before attempting to fix it. Make sure that everyone knows that you are working on the water heater so that no one decides to switch the breaker back on and accidentally gives you a nasty shock. If applicable, shut off the gas that connects to the heater. To prevent inconvenient flooding, close the water inputs. After the water heater is successfully turned off, drain the tank.

Once the tank is drained you can dry all of the fittings to prepare them for repair. Ensure that the pressure release valve is intact and functioning. If it is not, replace it. Check and tighten all fitting and make sure that all of the pipes are strong. Once you have done all of these repairs, turn the water back on and check that everything is working properly. If the water heater leaking has stopped, you have successfully made a repair and saved the hassle and cost of hiring a repairman!

3 Easy Steps to Maintain Water Heaters

Water heaters are one of those appliances we rely upon every day. Whether gas or electric, they are generally very dependable and quiet. Water heaters can last for a decade or more and with this simple 3-step annual maintenance plan you can extend the life of your water heater even further and save money in the process.

Do the 3-Step

By following this easy 5 minute, 3-step annual maintenance plan, you can significantly extend the life of your water heater:

1. Dial Down the Temperature

    Check your water heater temperature setting:

• Go to the temperature setting dial on your water heater. It will be a knob on the gas valve or a thermostat behind an electric water heater panel.
• Dial the temperature setting down so it is between 115 to 120 degrees F.
• This lowered setting will protect the tank from overheating and will reduce the energy used to heat the water.

2. Test the T&P Valve

    The temperature and pressure relief valve is critical to safety and proper operation of your water heater. It's a simple but important valve and is easily checked:

• To test the T&P valve simply lift up on the lever part way, then let go and allow it to rapidly snap back.
• You should hear a gurgling sound as the valve allows some water to be released into the drain tube.
• If the T&P valve did nothing then it is bad and needs to be replaced.

3. Do a Mini-Flush

    Removal of sediments from the bottom of the tank is important to prevent rust, corrosion and improve efficiency. Although a full water heater tank draining and flush is best, performing a full flush is a bit of work and requires shutting down the water heater. This mini-flush works well, takes a fraction of the time and allows you to do it while the water heater is running:

• Place a bucket under the drain valve found near the bottom of the tank.
• Some drain valves have a handle. Others like the one in the photo shown here have a short handle-less stem with a slot for a flat blade screwdriver.
• Turn the valve counter-clockwise to release a few gallons of water into the bucket.
• Close the valve by turning it clockwise and drain the bucket.

Selections of Water Heaters are Suitable for you

Using a water heater or water heater is necessary for some people, like us who are not "strong" to bathe with cold water.

But sometimes, it is not easy to choose what type of water heater that suits your needs and also of course "our pocket".

Here we try to discuss the above matter so that we can determine the right type of water heater.

Types of Water Heaters available:

Storages Water Heater.

This type (which uses the storage tube) is the most commonly used and generally uses electricity or gas as a source of heat. And use of gas is usually cheaper than electricity.

Because using the tank (storage), the thing you need to consider is the need for water to be used and the more it means you have to choose a larger tank and the bigger places you need to put the tank.

The advantages of this type is the hot water will be available at any time because the water in the tube will be periodically heated but on the other hand, the cost of electricity per month for this type greater than among others.

Thankless or on-demand water heater.

Type this one will not store water but immediately warmed through coil units that exist at the time you will use.

The advantages of this type is the cost of electricity per month is smaller but on the other side to get enough heat, electric power in the house should be large enough.

The drawback of this type is the availability of hot water can not always be provided, especially for users who want to use hot water continuously and in large numbers.

Solar Water Heater.

Type of this one was the most power-efficient because it uses solar energy as a heat source but for the price of this tool is much more expensive than other types.

The drawback is that installation is more complicated (placed on the roof of the house) and the heat generated will depend on the heat of the sun that is so, if possible, choose a solar water heater has a backup power when the sun is not "friendly".

Rheem RTG-66XP Thankless With his review

Rheem RTG-66XP Outdoor Liquid Propane Thankless Water Heater

Price:$1000

If you need to site your water heater outdoors, you need something that will still run happily under extreme weather conditions. The Rheem RTG-66XP tankless water heater is one of the most popular outdoor units, so lets take a closer look and see if it is really suitable.

About Rheem

Rheem are a Californian company that have been manufacturing water heaters for around 80 years now. So as you can guess they have built up a wealth of know-how that goes into all their products. They are unquestionably one of the world leaders in tankless water heater production, with an excellent reputation for quality.

More on the RTG-66XP

The Rheem Outdoor Liquid Propane tankless water heater can handle the hot water needs for a 2 or 3 bath house efficiently. And as far as cost goes, LP is much more cost-effective than electricity, so most buyers actually see a drop of 20% to 35% with this unit. And with many comparable units going for literally twice as much as the Rheem RTG-66XP, your immediate savings are as rewarding as your long term savings on your monthly utility bill. Let’s take a closer look and see just what the Rheem Outdoor LP tankless water heater has to offer.

The attempts to minimize the physical room taken up by tank systems, while also delivering enough hot water for 2 to 5 people without the need to fight over who goes last. And with a minimal flow rate of .26 GPM, this unit provides plenty of hot water, even if you need a small flow. The way tankless water heater systems work is by instantaneously heating the water piped from your cold water line. You simply have a cold input, hot output, LP line and thermostat. And the Rheem RTG-66XP handles the hot water needs of a 2 to 3 bath home perfectly.

At 180,000 BTU, you can get very hot water, so if you have little ones, make sure you ramp down the temp with the remote thermostat. Also, regarding the thermostat, a great feature of the Rheem RTG-66XP is the ability to override the high-end temps. Most water heaters are governed to max out at 120 degrees for legal reasons. But if you set this tankless system at 120, and then press down and hold the “temp up” button until 140 pops on the display, you can set it from 120 to 140. This is a good idea if you don’t have children, and like higher temps for a dishwasher, and a feature not every hot water has.

This particular unit lists a freeze rating down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and that should cover most homes, but you can cover with a plastic utility box or mount inside your garage or shed to allow for even lower temps. This is also an Energy Guide tankless water heater, and is rated at $223 average annual utility cost. That means it is also eligible for federal tax credits provided for energy efficient water heaters.

And this is a really small system. That means if you currently have a water heater that takes forever to get hot water where you need it, you mount this small, unobtrusive unit closer to the location you need the hot water, and you save money as well as keep from standing in cold water for 5 minutes waiting it to warm up.

Bosch 2700ES NG Tankless With his review

Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater

Price:$1,100

Bosch have a reputation for quality goods. And that’s usually shown in a slightly more expensive price. So is the extra worth it in this case? Let’s open up the Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM tankless water heater and see for ourselves exactly how competent this system really is.

Bosch claims that their 2700ES NG Aquastar Indoor tankless natural gas water heater can deliver 7.2 gallons per minute, and can also supply hot water to 2 or 3 major appliances at the same time. At size, it is about the standard for the industry at 30 ½ inches high x 17.875 inches wide and 11 ¾ inches deep. But one thing it does supply that is nicer than most tankless systems is a very low minimum 0.65 gallons per minute to initiate heating. This means that if all you need is a very small flow for a job smaller than taking a shower, you still get hot water.

And the fact that this is an indoor rated unit means it is perfect in cold weather climates where outdoor units freeze in extremely low temps. The Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar also earns you a $300 Federal Tax Credit, so factor that into the low price and you are already making money. You can also expect to save 25% to even 50% in some cases if you are replacing an electric tank system. That means this unit is paying itself off in around 2 or 3 years.

And running 2 or 3 hot water-using appliances at once without getting that hated “cold shower” effect is a cinch. At 19,000 BTU the instant heat is as hot as you want it, and regulating it is possible at the control box, or with the optional Remote Thermostat (Bosch TSTAT2). I recommend the thermostat for ease of use. Just mount it in your main bathroom and you have hands on manipulation electric units don’t offer.

The unit has a flat white color, and is very unobtrusive in a pantry, or bathroom closet. There is a 12 year warranty on the heat exchanger, and a full 2 years on parts, but we think if you look after it you can easily expect 20 or more years from this unit.

Remember all tankless hot water heaters should be installed by a qualified installer. If you need one, you can click here to get a free quote on installation.

EZ 101 and Bosch AquaStar 1600P Thankless With his review

EZ 101 Water Heater, Outdoor

Price: $134.95

Technical Details:

1.6 gpm at a 45F temperature rise

84% efficiency and superb combustion performance

Easy Installation outdoors

Auto-Ignition using two "D" cell batteries

Aesthetically pleasing and simple design

Product Description:

The EZ Tankless Water Heater EZ 101 uses a side intake and 3½" exhaust. EZ 101 is the perfect choice for any outdoorsman, farmer, or anyone that feels the need for hot water outside of the home.

Water heater Review, Comparison, and Opinion:

The EZ 101 is a compact high efficiency water heater and is over $200 cheaper then its competitor. The ease of use and practicality of the EZ 101 is above and beyond that of the Bosch 1600P, which finds itself left in the shadow of the EZ 101's 84% efficiency rating.

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Bosch AquaStar 1600P, Outdoor

Price: $549.00

Technical Details:

4.3 gpm at a 45F temperature rise (up to 5.2 gpm at 35F)

79% thermal efficiency

Supplies one major hot water outlet

Troublesome pilot light

Clean look

Product Description:

Bosch AquaStar 1600P whole house tankless gas water heater supplies one major hot water application at a time, such as a shower and is designed to replace your house tank unit.

Water heater Review, Comparison, and Opinion:

The Bosch 1600P is a nice looking unit, but after using the unit, its looks no longer do much for you. With an efficiency rating of 79%, equal to a standard tank type unit, the Bosch is the one of the least efficient tankless water heaters on the market.

Rinnai R75LSi Tankless With his review

Rinnai R75LSi Natural Gas Indoor Tankless Water Heater

Price:$900

The Rinnai R75LSi Natural Gas Indoor Thankless Water Heater is possibly the most popular thankless heater on the market today. It was designed to be able to present a whole home hot water solution for instant and limitless hot water for most American homes. It’s not the cheapest model, and it doesn’t have the most features, but it was never designed to have either. It was designed to do a great job for most homes at a good price. Does it succeed? Lets have a closer look.

About Rinnai and the Warranty

Rinnai are a company that specializes in gas hot-water appliances, and have been around for over 90 years. Success in their field for so long has led to a well-deserved reputation for quality. As a case in point Rinnai offer one of the best warranties out there – 5/2 year labor and parts warranty for commercial use and 12/5 year for residential. On the whole one of the advantages of Thankless water heaters over storage is the longevity you get with thankless.

Installation

One of the key features of this model is a good compact and simplistic design, so the Rinnai R75LSi can fit virtually anywhere. The whole unit is only 14 inches x 10 inches x 26 inches, and is a fashionable brushed aluminum in finish – not that you’ll likely be spending much time looking at it. As well as the obviously needed natural gas line in, water supply in, electricity in, and hot water out, you’ll need to put it next to an outside wall so it can vent out. That said its compact nature means you can easily mount in pretty much any indoor space that meets the above.

Ease of Use

Once installed, this unit is easy to use, with a “Goldilocks” level of features – not too many, not too few.

Lets have a look at a diagram of the control panel that you will see on the water heater:

• “In Use Indicator”. This is juts a light that indicates whether it is being used at present
• “Temperature display”. What temperature you want the water heated to
• “Temperature Selection”. Change the water temperature up or down
• “Priority”. In unusual circumstances, you might have more than one of these heaters installed in the building. In that situation this button and light is used to indicate which water heater is used to set the temperature. Most people won’t ever have to worry about this button.
• Errors. If there is a problem and the water heater isn’t working, the temperature display will display an error code which you can use to look up the appropriate code in the user manual. The error detection here is very good with about 20 different codes, so on the off chance something goes wrong there is an excellent chance you’ll get a useful idea of what it is.

So as you can see once it’s installed there’s nothing to do except adjust the temperature now and then is desired.

How does it Perform?

Let’s open up the Rinnai R75LSi natural gas thankless water heater and see how it performs. Far from a unit for small homes, this device can crank out 7.5 gallons of hot water per minute, and so can very effectively handle a 2-3 bath home. Using dual showers and hot water in a sink at the same time will never have you screaming in a cold water blast. And this unit can maintain that level of volume even while you have several faucets running, or appliances using hot water lines. That is not just initial flow. Very good volume and heat consistency.

Just mount the Rinnai R75LSi in any room where you can vent it outside, and you don’t have to worry about messy traditional water heater pans to empty. This unit cleverly has a built-in condensate collector, and handles removal by transforming to water vapor and sending right out of its vent. This unit also cleverly uses a commercial grade heat exchanger instead of typical residential device. This means that the heat it generates is constantly recycled, there is no wasted heat.

The water heat can be regulated from 98 to 140 degrees., and it is all done digitally at the master control panel mounted into the unit itself. And should you have extreme hot water needs, these systems easily piggyback each other, with an EZ connect feature. As your family grows and your needs change, don’t worry about installing a whole new system, just add another unit.

This unit can also be installed in manufactured (or mobile) homes, making it the most versatile water heater we know of .

Saving Energy and Money

Tankless water heaters cost more money upfront than a tanked water heater. It’s all about saving you money in the long run. So it’s important to have features that save you money down the track

• Earlier we mentioned the commercial grade heat exchanger. This is a biggie as the generated heat is recycled and not wasted
• Electronic Ignition. What this means is that there is no pilot light running and using gas 24/7. The gas is ignited by electrcity
• Energy Star rated.
• Meets California and Texas NOx emissions standards.

Many users have reported savings of up to 84% off of their water heating bill, and overall utility bill savings of 15% to 30%. This means the Rinnai R75LSi natural gas tankless water heater pays itself off in as little as 2 to 3 years.

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus Electric Tankless With his review

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus Electric Tankless Whole House Water Heater

Price:$750

One of the problems that Tankless heaters can have are variations in water temperature as several people use hot water at the same time. The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus Electric works very hard to solve this problem by continually adjusting the water flow so that the temperature remains constant throughout. What this means is you can have several hot showers going at the same time and not need to worry about temperature changes.

Stiebel Eltron specialize in hot water products and have a reputation for producing some of the most advanced water heaters on the market today.Originally from Germany, they have been very successful in the US market for over 30 years.

More about the Tempra 36

The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus is designed to replace your old tank heater and should be able to handle even the largest houses without a problem. Since this is their largest tankless water heater, it is ideal for houses, condos, apartments and even small commercial applications too.

It has a space-saving form-factor design, features the latest in heater technology and has great energy-saving features. It can handle up to 8 gallons of water per minute and is one of the most powerful water heaters available today. It is a 36kw unit and is mainly used in high flow-rate situations or cold temperature areas. Since it is 99% efficient you will easily save 10 to 20 percent of your home’s electricity bill if you replace your old heater with this one.

One of the worst things is to have cold water one second and boiling hot water the next. We’ve all experienced that and it’s no fun. The Tempra 36’s temperature regulation is microprocessor-controlled and this ensures consistency, accuracy and precise control over the temperature you want. The dial and LCD display allow you to select between a range of 86 and 140F. Additionally, it will automatically compensate for higher or lower incoming temperatures or any changes in the flow rate too. Smart.

Obviously it does this by adjusting the temperature of the thermostat to maintain the same temperature at all times. However, when the flow rate of the water gets too high, the unit will adjust the pressure so the heater is not overtaxed. This prevents you from having to purchase a big, expensive heater to handle occasional flow rate peaks.

Compared to gas-type heaters, this unit is cheaper to buy, easier to install, requires no venting, is way more efficient, uses less energy and heats up quicker. It’s heating is done in 3 stages to provide maximum versatility and speed when heating water of varying pressures and temperatures. This allows it to handle the crazy demands of two showers and a kitchen sink with ease. Since it is a tankless heater it is not subject to seismic code whatsoever so you don’t have to do any extra construction.

As always your tankless hot water heaters should be installed by a qualified installer. If you need one, you can click here to get a free quote on installation.

Stiebel Eltron’s reputation is unparalleled so you can rest assured that the Tempra 36 will last you many years of unhindered service. It comes with a 3-year warranty on all the parts so you can be sure that they stand by their word. They have been making electric heaters since 1924 but the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus sets a new standard for tankless water heaters.

This is electric, so it will cost a little less to install. But really when it comes to gas or electric you should choose what is best for your home. So don’t get seduced into buying electric if you already have gas installed and it turns out it will be cheaper to run.

Another nice little feature we like is that this heater takes up very little space. So those of you in apartments or for some other reason have limited space will really appreciate this.

EZ Deluxe and Rheem RTG-53PVN Tankless With his review

EZ Deluxe Tankless Water Heater, Indoor

Price: $474.95

Technical Details:

3.4 gpm at a 45F temperature rise

88% efficiency and superb combustion performance

Advanced sealed double-chamber forced air intake/exhaust

Key Touch water temperature settings and on-off switch with easy to understand digital display

Aesthetically pleasing and simple design

Product Description:

The EZ Tankless Water Heater EZ Deluxe uses a Direct Vent Intake/Exhaust system. EZ Deluxe is a perfect choice for an energy conscious home that uses no more than 2 hot water sources at a time.

Water heater Review, Comparison, and Opinion:

The fez deluxe has a more efficient and advanced exhaust. The Rheum pulls inside air out of your house exhausting cool air in the summer and hot air in the winter. This hidden ariable is not accounted for in any efficiency ratings. Bottom line = The EZ deluxe wins our review hands down. Performance/ Exhaust/Safety . Please look into the recall for the units that do not have forced balanced exhaust.

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Rheem Tankless Water Heater RTG-53PVN, Indoor

Price: $669.47

Technical Details:

5.3 gpm at a 45F temperature rise (up to 6.8 gpm at 35F)

Electronic ignition increases efficiency

Exclusive! Guardian SBT sensing burner technology overheat film wrap

A remote control thermostat is included with all models with 100F - 140F setpoint range

Digital display on thermostat shows temp

Product Description:

Rheem Tankless Water Heater RTG-53PVN uses indoor air for the intake.

The Rheem RTG-53 series water heater will work in homes with 1 or 2 bathrooms

Water heater Review, Comparison, and Opinion:

The ez deluxe has a more efficient and advanced exhaust. The Rheem pulls inside air out of your house exhausting cool air in the summer and hot air in the winter. This hidden ariable is not accounted for in any efficiency ratings. Bottom line = The EZ deluxe wins our rewiew hands down. Performance/ Exhaust/Safty . Please look into the recall for the units that do not have forced balanced exhaust.

Checking the Gas and Electric Water Heaters For Safe

In Gas Heaters

you should open the combustion chamber and have a gander inside.

First, turn the control to pilot. That way, you don't get your face singed. Then remove the outer hatch -- with gloves or pliers, if the tank has been firing. Then do the same with the inner cover, if it's an older heater. If it was made since 2004, you may only be able to peer as best you can through a small window.

What and where are the hatches? At the base of the heater, perhaps below the control, as here. This outer hatch, top photo, has two tabs that fit in two slots at the top. Others we've seen have the slots and tabs at the side. The inner hatch, below right, merely sits in the opening to the combustion chamber.

Shine a flashlight inside, onto the roof of the chamber. What does it look like? If the tank is sound, there shouldn't be much to see, except maybe some white marks from condensation.

If, however, the tank is headed for ruin, there will be signs of heavy rusting and pitting around the flue, rust flakes on and around the burner, and marks of water having run down the sides.

If you find these marks, begin shopping for a new tank, because yours probably doesn't have much life left. And don't forget to profit the new one so you don't have to do this again.

The first two pictures below are from our own water heater, now 30 years old after being maintained as we advocate here. It is not a perfect tank bottom; we've seen better. But it's a very good one. This heater may yet weep at our funeral. As to the third one, it wasn't so good. We wept at ITS funeral!

When you've finished your inspection, replace the hatches and BE SURE TO TURN THE CONTROL BACK TO ON. Otherwise, you or someone else will eventually be in for a cold shower.

In Electric Heaters

it's not quite as straightforward. There isn't a combustion chamber. But you can turn the power off and inspect all the fittings and open the element ports, left, and the port for the power cord on top of the tank, right. Look for signs of leakage and longtime corrosion.

Make sure the power is really off!

And when you're done, put everything back together the way you found it. It can affect the operation of the heater. Don't forget to turn the power back on or you'll have a cheap thrill the next time you take a shower.

Elements of Water Heater

When electricity passes through an element it meets resistance. This resistance between the element and the electrical current creates heat, much like rubbing your two hands together very fast.

The wattage of the element determines the amount of heat the element will produce.

To buy an element you will need to know the voltage and wattage. There are also screw type, flange and raised flanged styles.

You can find the voltage and wattage on the water heater label or on the end of the old element.

Flange type elements are not as common as they once were. If you can't find one, look for an adapter kit (see pick below). With this kit you can install a screw type element in place of the flanged type.

You do not have to buy brand specific elements.

Element Testing

How to test a water heater element. You will need to know how to use a multimeter in order to test electric water heaters. Basic guide for using an inexpensive analog multimeter.

Element Replacement

Replace an element with this easy to follow guide.

Did You Know?

On a duel element 240 volt residential water heater both elements do not heat at the same time.

On an electric residential water heater the element is the most likely component to fail.

The hotter the element or water the more sediment and calcium build up in the tank.

If a newly installed element makes a humming or vibrating sound it is because the loop on the element is horizontal in the tank. Tighten the element 1/3 to 1/2 turn to stop the humming.

Water heater elements will only work when submerged in water. If the power is turned on with no water in the tank they will burn out.

Thermostat Water Heater

Water heater thermostat is actually a very simple device. they

operates off bi metal switch located on the back of the thermostat.

When the disk reaches a certain temperature bi medals will come in or out of what might happen and connect or disconnect power to the heating element. This bi-metal disc is what you hear click when the temperature is turned up or down.

Testing the thermostat

How to check the thermostat to the electrical flow. Thermostat can be tested with power on or off. You can check the voltage on the element to see if the thermostat works if you are comfortable working with power.

replacing the thermostat

Replacing the thermostat is easy with step by step guide.

No special tools are required.

Water heater reset button

What to do if the reset button pops out. How to reset your water heater limit switch.

Water heater temperature

How to adjust the temperature on the thermostat. What temperature should

Your water heater is located.

Using a multimeter

How to read a multimeter to check continuity and voltage with an analog multimeter.

About Solar Water Heater

Solar water heating is a technology that every homeowner can use to save dollars on utility bills. Questions most frequently addressed to the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) about solar water heating are answered below. Please note that many replies are general and more explanation may be required for those with individual questions. For additional information, contact the FSEC Public Information Office, call a solar dealer, or consult the references listed.

What is a Solar Water Heater?

A solar water heater uses the sun's energy rather than electricity or gas to heat water, thus reducing your monthly utility bill. When installed properly, solar water heaters are more economical over the life of the system than heating water with electricity, dedicated heat pumps, heat recovery units or propane.

In Florida, three types of solar systems are used: pumped, integral collector storage (ICS), and thermo-siphon. The direct circulation system (see Figure 1, page 2) circulates potable water from the water storage tank through one or more collectors and back into the tank. The solar collector is the main component of the solar system. It is usually a metal box with insulation and a black absorber plate that collects solar radiation and heats the water. The circulating pump is regulated by either an electronic controller, a common appliance timer, or a photovoltaic (PV) panel.

In integral collector storage systems, the solar water storage system is built into the collector. The potable water in the collector unit is heated by the sun and delivered by city or well water pressure to an auxiliary tank (which contains non-solar back-up heating) or directly to the point of use.

A thermosiphon solar water heating system has a tank mounted above the collector (normally on the roof) to provide a natural gravity flow of water. Hot water rises through piping in the collector, which is mounted below the tank; heavier cold water sinks to the lowest point in the system (the collector), displacing the lighter hot water which rises to the tank.

The ICS and thermosiphon systems are simple since they use no pumps or controllers and water always flows through the collector.

How do solar water heating system work?

As sunshine strikes the collector, the water inside it is heated. If the circulating pump is regulated by a PV panel, the pump starts turning as the PV panel is activated by the same sunshine. This direct current (DC) motor pump moves water from the tank through the collector and back to the tank. As the sun's intensity changes throughout the day, the circulating pump also changes its speed accordingly. By the end of the day, the water in the tank has been circulated many times through the collector and has been heated to usable hot water temperatures.

If the circulating pump is regulated by an electronic differential controller, a sensor at the outlet of the collector and a sensor at the bottom of the tank (Figure 1) activate the circulating pump when the water in the collector is about 15-200 F warmer than the water at the bottom of the tank. The pump then circulates water from the collector and the tank. This process continues as long as the water temperature at the collector outlet is about 50 F higher than that in the bottom of the tank. If the temperature difference decreases further, the controller automatically shuts off the pump.

Common appliance timers also may control system operation. The timer is set to operate during a period of the day when solar radiation is available to heat the potable water. It is important that the timers used in these systems incorporate battery back-up in the event of power failures. In order to avoid loss of energy from the tank during overcast days, the collector feed and return lines are both connected at the bottom of the storage tank. During normal operation, natural stratification allows the warmer water to rise to the top part of the tank.

During periods of insufficient sunshine or high hot water demand, a backup electrical element in the storage tank heats the water. The check valve prevents heat loss when the circulating pump is off. The circulating pump consumes only a small amount of electricity — around $5 to $10 worth per year, or in the case of PV — none.

Hot Water Heaters Hybrid

Better Water Heaters is always looking into ways to both help the environment and save you money. This is why we proudly carry the complete line of Eternal Hybrid Hot Water Heater products. Eternal is the first to combine tank and tankless hot water heater features to create a consistent water heating system. Capable of supplying nearly instant and endless hot water, the original units launched in 2006 and now has over 2 million days of combined usage. Furthermore, the next generation Eternal Condensing Hybrid is the only gas hybrid water heater to be listed with Energy Star.

Eternal Hybrid and Eternal Condensing Hybrid hot water heaters work on the Counter Flow Principle. This is an opposite approach to the way the industry has traditionally built water heating appliances. Unlike any other water heater appliance, Eternal has achieved the highest efficiency in the industry without sacrificing your comfort.

Some benefits of hybrid water heaters include:

• Consistent water pressure even with multiple taps in use
• Maintains 86% efficiency use after use with patented self cleaning
• All stainless steel construction is durable and clean
• Compact yet capable of replacing multiple tanks
• Ultra low emission as low as 3ppm NOx to reduce carbon footprint
• Computer controlled mixing valve and multiple sensors ensures precise water temperature

In Eternal's Counter Flow design, cold water enters from the bottom up as a way of self cleaning the sedimentation, while heat is pushed through 44 radiating transfer pipes. The Eternal Condensing Hybrid’s innovative 3 cycle process pushes heat in 3 directions through the water and maximizes energy transfer. In simplest terms, our patent slows the exhaust of heat by reusing the energy multiple times, rather than reducing water pressure. The end result is a small heat exchanger that is capable of replacing multiple tanks, while supplying endless hot water with consistent water pressure and doing it efficiently time after time.

Eternal Hybrid Water Heaters combine the flow capacity of tank with the continuous flow of tankless and has none of either's drawbacks.