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Posted by terry on May 8, 2008, 4:33 pm
> On May 7, 8:47=A0pm, dave.brid...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > We have a water heater which is mounted on a small (2") stand. =A0We
> > noticed water pooling up around the base. =A0The cold incoming pipe has
> > a lot of condensation and we don't see any leaks out of the heater,
> > but the base if totally filled with water. =A0The area around the
> > element appears dry. =A0Does anyone have any ideas how we could see if
> > this is just accumulated condensation and/or clean it out to see if
> > the tank is actually leaking?
>
> A base to contain a leak is supposed to have a hose attached leading
> to a drain so you don't flood your home, but filling the base, or
> visible water IS a leak, check fittings, lowering the temp might help,
> put a drain hose onto the base and go shopping for a new unit. Since
> you have time to shop buy by Energy Factor rating, www.energystar.gov
> has all models rated for EF except Condensing units. Most sold are
> still inefficient 50-60 EF, a few are 70 and condensing units around
> 84 EF . For the standard 60 EF only 60 cents of every dollar you spend
> is going to heat water.
When only 60 cents you mean gas fired?
Cos AFIK electric hot water heaters are 100% except for any heat that
slowly leaks out through the insulated walls of the tank into the
house! And that helps heat the house which is electrically heated
anyway!
When we leave on vacation etc. we turn off the electric tank and also
(just in case of a leak) remove the water pressure. Returning after 2
weeks on one occasion the 'hot' water in the tank was still noticeably
warm; despite being completely off while we gone! So they don't lose
heat very quickly.
Pls. see also separate posting "Using electric hot water tank to heat
small living space".
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