Gas Hot Water Systems Facts

Gas Hot Water Systems

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My gas hot water system is barely warm, its on the highest heat setting, Whats the prob and how can I fix it? The water pressure is also weak. Can I fix the problem myself?

Moi replied: "don't open the tap too much..."

metcalfmaintenance1 replied: "It sounds like you need to flush the system.There's a water valve on the bottom of the tank.Attach a hose and drain.Repeat .If this is not the problem then it may be your gas regulator or burner.Call a technician as this isn't for the novice.Good Luck."

bfandrk replied: "Faulty gas regulator or the gas jets need cleaning"

eeaglenest replied: "I had a similar problem years ago and it was from hard water. Lime and other mineral deposits built up on the bottom of the tank which interfered with heating the water. I had to flush the tank every spring in order to get the best possible temperature. If you have poor water pressure, you may have mineral deposits somewhere in your plumbing. I suggest you remove and replace the shower head. If that doesn't work, then flush the hot water tank. After that, it may be time for a plumber."

menelaoskaigavrilis replied: "i thing u cannot fix it by yourself. u may need a technician's help. anw good luck"

suzzy replied: "the pressure not enough. u can increase the pressure by capturerind heat"

Why is my gas hot water system producing smoke and smelling when we turn off the hot water in the bathroom.? It is a Vulcan gas hot water system and has been going hot and cold in the shower. This morning I could smell gas and when I opened the window and turned the hot water on it was fine, but then when you turn it off, we got the gas smell and heaps of smoke coming out from the top of the unit.

Boomer replied: "because if you didnt shut the water heater off it will still heat up and ruin it. if its a gas heater it will crack your water heater if its electric it will burn up your top element and possibly your wiring"

JONATHAN H replied: "it sounds to me like somehow you are draining the tank and its is heating up dry. (very very bad) maybe some more info from you would be helpful."

Will I be using an increase in the amount of gas ? gas hot water system? I have purchased a motel size gas hot water system ( very large cylinder ) for use in a home situation and would like to know if I will be using a greater amount of gas to heat the water or will it use a similar amount to a normal size home hot water system ?

jehen replied: "It depends, but my guess is that you will use more than with a unit sized for your situation. It will certainly take more energy to heat the larger amount of water. But it may not take that much more energy to maintain the heat or recharge after use (assuming you use the same amount as you would with a regular sized unit). Keep in mind that a large commercial system is designed to deliver large use. If you have a large commercial system that you draw small amounts of hot water from a couple of times a day, you are probably maintaining a lot of hot water that is not being used. But with proper timing and very good insulation you may be able to take advantage and only turn the unit on every couple of days. In the Southern US solar powered tanks for homes are quite large and well insulated so there is plenty of hot water available should you have a couple of cloudy days. A new trend in home hot water heating is smaller 'just in time' units that heat water quickly only as it is needed, the opposite of what you are planning."

Frank N replied: "It probably will use more. But you can mitigate that by adding lots of extra insulation all around it. You can buy water heater 'blankets' specific to the purpose, or just use a lot of fiberglass insulation. If you can get that water heated with a solar collector, you might use no gas at all."

Are landlords required to provide a gas bottle for gas hot water systems in a new tenancy? My stepdaughter and her boyfriend just moved into a new rental property. The landlord took the gas bottle that was used to heat their water, saying that it was his. Is it up to them to get a new gas bottle and do they have to pay for the bottle as well as the gas it is filled with? Im pretty sure that the bottle should be filled at the beginning of the tenancy and then it is the tenants responsibility to refill it.They also have no wheelie bin. Im just curious and have checked the Residential Tenancies Act - neither are mentioned.

pcbeachrat replied: "The landlord has to furnish the means to heat the water, not the actual gas/propane, but a means to have a way to heat the water..If the hot water heater is gas, then the landlord has to furnish the bottle..what he is doing is illegal....He does not have to buy the gas unless it is a "all bills paid" lease..I would take this immediately to court....This is a rental property they are not buying the place..TOTALLY ILLEGAL FOR HIM/HER TO DO SO"

Help with turning on Gas Hot Water System - Can't find pilot light!!? Hi all, The gas hot water in the house I am looking after is not working and I have read through the old half erased instructions on the inside of the system and seem to understand how to turn the system back on, but can't find the pilot light so I have no idea if its turning on or not? How do I tell if the pilot is on??? Urgent help please.... I need to shower to go to work!!! LOL!!!

Dennis S replied: "Check the chimney pipe for heat. Find the gas controll valve assembly, Follow the 2 small tubes, from this gas valve, to thier ends.The 1/4" tube ( normaly aluminum) is the pilot. The smaller 1/8" tube (normaly copper) is the thermocouple. Many old water heaters (5yrs.old), have a red, or black, button on top of the gas valve.Newer units have an igniter like the gas grill outside. 1. Turn the gas valve on the heater to the OFF position. 2. Turn the gas shut off valve near the heater ON. 3. Listen for any leaks. Locate and repair them as needed. 4. Turn the heater gas valve to PILOT position. 5. Locate the end of the pilot ignitor tube next to the gas burners inside the heaters burner chamber. 6. Hold down the red (or black) pilot button while you light the end of the pilot ignitor tube with a long nosed lighter. 7. Hold down the pilot button, after lighting the pilot, for about 1 minute to allow the thermocouple to heat up and signal the heaters gas valve that the pilot is now lit and hot. 8. Release the pilot button and tun the heaters gas valve to the ON position. Check the burner for a flame ( don't get to close to the burner, it's hot). 9. Adjust the heaters gas valve temperature controll knob to NORMAL. If the heater does not stay lit, you will need to call a plumber or an experienced Handy Man for help. Good Luck. Dennis"

auto tradie replied: "The gas burner is always at the bottom - and there should be a cover for access.Sometimes there is a push button sparker to light the pilot,or if not you can light it with a stove or barbie lighter."

Which gas hot water system is most reliable please? Bosch Hydro or Rinnai Infinity or Rheem Everheat Thanks

Lou replied: "I recently brought one and most people and my plumber said there is no difference between them."

pinspeed1 replied: "some like ford, some like chevy, some like honda. i was always an "American" or "Hoyt" fan. i understand that "American Standard" now makes a primo unit."

brad K replied: "all the same i prefer rinnai however be aware that you may need to upgrade your gasline to get the right amount this applies to all these units cheers"

Gas hot water system prices.? Does anyone know how much it would cost to buy a new gas hot water system and also how much the intallation would cost? I have noticed that there is now a system that provides constant hot water. What is the difference between this new system and the normal tank system in both price and performance?

Amarnath C replied: "Gas based system is not advisable....just now seen one press news about some accident due to over heat of water. If the budget is not a criteria better plan for solar energy based unit.Its one time investment n maintenance charges r also less."

joe r replied: "the on demand systems are great but they don't work on small amounts of water flow. Great for showers, dishwashers... but will not heat up if you turn the bathroom sink on just a little bit. Thats their only flaw I can see Electric ones work great too but require a whole lot of power to operate the good ol' water heater has worked for years and will be around for many more to come as for cost it all depends on the installation and how much work needs to be done"

Will I be using an increased amount of gas ? (gas hot water system)? I have purchased a motel size gas hot water system ( very large cylinder ) for use in a home situation and would like to know if I will be using a greater amount of gas to heat the water or will it use a similar amount to a normal size home hot water system ?

Leo H replied: "Same amount of gas to heat the water, but more to keep it hot."

Hallwoman replied: "unless it says energy saver on it. you will use more gas to heat it. example if you put a small pot of water on the stove on a small burner and another large pot of water on a bigger burner...check out how much higher the fire has to be under the bigger pot to boil the water."

Gas Hot Water System Question? We've just moved into a new rental home in Melbourne. Here's what happened- We turned on the pilot light the other day. We hadn't used it until today becuase we were staying elsewhere. The hot water kicked in enough for me to do a few lots of dishes. Then I went to have a shower a few hours later and the hot water lasted for a couple of minutes. I went to check the pilot light - which is still on. There are three settings, Pilot, On and Off. I think the setting is on Pilot. I went to turn it to what I thought was On and there was a big gas WOOOSSSHHH sound so I turned it back to Pilot (I think). The flame is still on but we don't have hot water. Okay so should it have gone WWOOOOSSSHH when I turned it to On? Should I just leave it for a plumber to have a look at? And yes, I know, I'm bloody hopeless! Thanks for your input. Are you telling me to open the gas and light a match? I'd rather have cold showers!

cobra replied: "The whoosh sound is the gas entering the burner, and it should light within a second or so. I'll bet everything is OK and you were just alarmed unnecessarily. Just turn the knob on top of the gray control box from pilot... to on. Then turn the temperature knob up, if necessary. It should fire right up. If you still lack confidence, just call the gas company. Instead of saying you need your pilot checked, say you smell a little gas. This will put you at the head of their appointment list! I am a 30 year licensed plumbing contractor."

pinspeed1 replied: "That's normal. Leave the setting to "ON". Be sure the vent is pulling air at the base of the vent. You can check by lighting a match and blowing it out while watching the smoke being pulled up the vent pipe at its base where it attaches to the little flying saucer looking thing."