Hot Water FAQ's 

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Where's the hot water?

When there is no hot water, one of three things is probably wrong with your water heater:

* If there is no loss of water pressure, but the water supply is cold, it's probably a burned out pilot light or a blown fuse. Check a gas-fired unit to see if the pilot light is off. Follow the unit's instructions to relight. For an electric unit, check the fuse panel and flip the correct circuit breaker to "on".

* If there is a reduction in water pressure, check your water heater for leakage. If leaking, turn the valve on the top of the unit off. Next, shut off the fuel. Turn the gas control valve off for a gas-fired unit, or flip the circuit breaker off for an electric unit.

* In gas-fired units only, the gas valve or thermocouple could fail. For this, call Geisel immediately.

Why doesn't my old water heater make as much hot water as it used to?

You might have sediment buildup in your tank. As water heaters age, they tend to accumulate sediment and lime deposits. If the heaters are not cleaned periodically, the sediment may rise to a level that will act as a barrier between the burner and the water, making it harder to heat. An article published in a national ASPE plumbing journal states: " for every half inch of sediment on the bottom of a gas fired water heater, it requires 70% more fuel to heat the water." 

Also, the dip tube inside the heater may be rusted off and gone. That is the tube which makes the cold water going into the heater go right to the bottom of the tank instead of entering the top of the tank where hot water is exiting. This results in a mixture of hot and cold water leaving the tank and the hot water below just staying in the tank.

Electric water heaters don't suffer this problem, however the heating element can also accumulate calcium and reduce the heat transfer rate as well. Removing the heating element and soaking it in an acid solution can remove the calcium buildup and prevent failure of the element due to local overheating.

Go To: Open the drain valve at the water heater tank  for maintenance information.

Is it necessary to install a drain pan under my hot water tank?

A water heater should be placed in area that will prevent damage to floors, ceilings, and furniture if the heater leaks. When this is not possible, a drain pan must be installed under the water heater. Since a typical drain pan doesn't hold that much water, it must have a pipe to a drain or other outlet for the water. When installed properly, a drain pan and pipe will keep any leakage under control and protect your belongings from water damage.

Can I convert a propane water heater to natural gas (or vise versa)?

Due to possible liability, we recommend that you do not do so unless the manufacturer specifically has instructions that state that it is ok.

How does the valve on my hot water tank operate?

Gas water heater controllers are designed to have a "hysteresis" effect in their start-stop temperatures. If you control valve is set at 130° the heater will probably not come on until the water drops to 115° or so, and then heats water until it rises to over 130°. The reason for this differential is efficiency - when a burner first starts it is not fully efficient, and it is desirable to minimize the start-stop cycling of the burner.

Open the drain valve at the water heater tank bottom   
and drain 2 or 3 gallons of water from the heater to        
remove any sediment that may have accumulated in the tank  
bottom (semiannually; if drain water contains a high        
degree of sediment, drain more often). (Note: If this      
procedure is not done regularly, residual sediment          
particles may prevent the faucet valve from reseating      
properly upon closing and the valve washer may have to be  
replaced.)