Replacing a water heater... to power-vent or not to power-vent? That is the question. [more inside]
posted by sesquipedalia on Nov 4, 2009 - 15 answers

Is there such a thing as a self powered/manual heater? [more inside]
posted by wongcorgi on Nov 1, 2009 - 15 answers

Which is more efficient/economical to run: a baseboard heater or an oil-filled radiator-type space heater? [more inside]
posted by apricot on Oct 25, 2009 - 11 answers

So, we'd really rather not go to our landlord about this problem, but we're having problems with the heat in our apartment. [more inside]
posted by wild like kudzu on Oct 15, 2009 - 18 answers

Need help from mechanics! Asking for a friend: On a 2005 Mercury Marquis, the air temperature control does not work. What could be the cause and possible ways to fix it? [more inside]
posted by Houstonian on Sep 24, 2009 - 12 answers

Reasonable cost for a new hot water heater? [more inside]
posted by Cosine on Sep 10, 2009 - 11 answers

Ceiling fan heaters. Have you had one? Have you read or heard anything about their safety? Help me find a good heating solution for an attic room. [more inside]
posted by walla on Aug 2, 2009 - 2 answers

Should a hot water pump be this noisy? [more inside]
posted by damn dirty ape on Jul 28, 2009 - 6 answers

My gas stove doesn't burn hot enough, and my gas water heater can't fill a bath tub with enough hot water to bathe. Do I have a gas pressure problem in my apartment, and what can be done to fix it? [more inside]
posted by hoobichu on Mar 7, 2009 - 8 answers

I have an electric space heater that makes a mild burning smell and the fan makes too much noise, any ideas on how an adventurous engineering student might be able to make the unit better than out of the box? [more inside]
posted by gzimmer on Mar 6, 2009 - 14 answers

What are the pros and cons of trying to switch heating systems from a traditional furnace to a waste oil heater that burns used gasoline engine oil, particularly for an automobile repair garage? [more inside]
posted by franklen on Feb 27, 2009 - 10 answers

When our pool equipment runs, it triggers the sound of a leaky pipe in a wall adjacent to our hot water heater. By triggering the valve on the hot water heater when the water to the house is off, I can stop the noise. How can I fix this? [more inside]
posted by pokeedog on Feb 15, 2009 - 5 answers

Help needed quickly!! My tankless water heater is leaking after freezing weather. For 2 days there was no hot water. Nothing coming out of the tap. Last night the water was flowing and it was hot. [more inside]
posted by shaarog on Jan 18, 2009 - 9 answers

The heater in my 95 G20 is suddenly working intermittently. For the last three days, I get cold air through the vents for the first 20 minutes of highway driving, followed by the heat suddenly kicking in. Then, when I corner around a sharp right hand turn, the air suddenly goes cold, and then heat resumes when I straighten up. Ideas before I head to the mechanic?
posted by blue_wardrobe on Jan 16, 2009 - 6 answers

Localfilter: I live in Denver, and I'd like a tankless water heater. Who can I trust? [more inside]
posted by boo_radley on Jan 4, 2009 - 13 answers

Am I saving myself money by turning my propane heater to "Low" when I'm not using hot water? [more inside]
posted by Andrea2880 on Dec 31, 2008 - 7 answers

My car vents stink. How can I get rid of the smell? [more inside]
posted by benzenedream on Dec 8, 2008 - 8 answers

[PlubmingFilter] Last night Mrs Rus notice a very slow leak from our immersion heater. So in a flash of "brilliance" I turn it off at the (power) mains and would worry about it in the morning. Its now the morning and things aren't quite right [more inside]
posted by rus on Nov 16, 2008 - 8 answers

Plumbing Filter: After a water heater leak, our toilet is not filling correctly and our water isn't very hot. DIY antics ahead. [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Nov 5, 2008 - 9 answers

What is the difference in efficiency between plain old ordinary electric heaters and hydronic electric heaters? [more inside]
posted by shothotbot on Oct 15, 2008 - 8 answers

How do you maintain your water heater? [more inside]
posted by po822000 on Apr 16, 2008 - 7 answers

Can I fix my gas heater without hurting myself? [more inside]
posted by Darth Fedor on Dec 3, 2007 - 9 answers

I'm too stupid to program the heater in my house. [more inside]
posted by vito90 on Nov 19, 2007 - 6 answers

Which costs more: keeping my thermostat at 69 all winter, or using an electric blanket and radiator-style space heater in one room? [more inside]
posted by bjork24 on Nov 16, 2007 - 16 answers

I have a Weber brand Smokey Joe® charcoal grill, and I'd like to modify it someway to transform its main duties from cooking to heating human beings on an outdoor porch. [more inside]
posted by c:\awesome on Nov 10, 2007 - 6 answers

My landlord in NY claims that our heater must turn on when the temperature drops. If we wanted to prevent this, a technician would have to "turn the valves off" -- a cumbersome process that risks the valves later freezing and "popping" and steam destroying our apartment. True? Is this common? And if so, how can we deal with a too-hot room, other than by opening the window?
posted by shivohum on Oct 26, 2007 - 30 answers

Do I really need two air filters for my heater? [more inside]
posted by the ghost of Ken Lay on Oct 26, 2007 - 3 answers

How dangerous is it to live in a small room with a gas-powered water heater? Will I die? [more inside]
posted by beerbajay on Apr 26, 2007 - 17 answers

Noob house owner: The water heater is now only putting out lukewarm water, not hot. [more inside]
posted by The Behatted Wild Man of Greenfield on Apr 19, 2007 - 19 answers

My current water heater is about 14 years old now, and I'm looking to replace it with a traditional 'tanked' water heater (I'm not going to be in this house long to justify a tankless unit). For the most part I'm only looking to heat water for two people, and I'm thinking a 40 gallon tank with a large burner will be sufficient. Does anyone have any suggestions or good resources for comparison?
posted by cfg on Jan 16, 2007 - 12 answers

Cure for the takes-too-long-for-our-water-to-heat-up blues? [more inside]
posted by mosk on Jan 13, 2007 - 18 answers

Weird noise filter: the heater in my new apartment makes this metallic noise every so often. What is it, and can I make it stop? [more inside]
posted by azuresunday on Nov 19, 2006 - 4 answers

I just moved into a house that I bought, and the heater makes this 700 square-foot house nice and toasty, but the timing seems off. First something comes on, it makes a humming, sounds like a motor, but no air is coming out yet....that goes on for a minute or two, then the igniter clicks on and glows for about a minute, then flames come on for 3-5 minutes, then the fan comes on and blows heat up throughout the house. Inspector said... [more inside]
posted by Salvatorparadise on Nov 11, 2006 - 9 answers

I have an old furnace in my home that I can't get working. Now that summer is over, I'd like to run the heater again, but the burners won't ignite. I've just replaced the thermocouple and that didn't seem to help. It seems it will cost ~$100 to just get a diagnosis. If I could narrow down what was wrong, I might be able to fix it myself. Any ideas? I can post photos if that will help.
posted by shaneflyer on Oct 18, 2006 - 10 answers

What does the water pressure coming into your house have to do with installing a water heater? [more inside]
posted by katyjack on Oct 2, 2006 - 12 answers

Our water heater pilot light won't stay lit. Is it time to call a repair man? [more inside]
posted by MrMoonPie on Sep 20, 2006 - 9 answers

What kind of water heating system do I have? And can I install a timer on it? [more inside]
posted by schoolgirl report on Jul 4, 2006 - 3 answers

What's the most energy efficient way to run the heater in my office? [more inside]
posted by shokod on Mar 5, 2006 - 5 answers

Anyone have any thoughts on Tankless Water Heaters, specifically gas ones however thoughts on electric ones too would be nice I guess. Distance to kitchen/shower? Ok to put one in a cold room such as a garage? Other important things to know about one before calling the plumber? [more inside]
posted by pwb503 on Dec 21, 2005 - 24 answers

Where can I find a very accurate water heater? [more inside]
posted by nickerbocker on Oct 11, 2005 - 13 answers

Moving into an apartment that was built a year ago and never lived in. How do I get stale water out of the tank and pipes? [more inside]
posted by Saucy Intruder on Aug 30, 2005 - 2 answers

I've painstakingly and scientifically ruled out all of the other possibilities. My hot water heater is inhabited by the Virgin Mary. [more inside]
posted by felix on Jun 13, 2005 - 16 answers

What can you tell me about getting a new, gas wall heater/furnace?

The old heater (gas floor furnace), which is original to the house (1940's) has gone kaput. Apparently they don't even make replacement parts for floor furnaces anymore, we don't want to install forced air/heating, so a wall heater it will be. I just don't want to get ripped off in the process. Any advice on approximately what it should cost for installation? Do we have to pull a permit for this? Also, your experience with regard to brands. I am willing to pay for a good quality product, I just don't want to pay twice the going rate for labor. We're in L. A., if that colors your answer. Thanks.
posted by vignettist on Dec 27, 2004 - 2 answers

What is a good, small, inexpensive, energy-efficient space heater? Living in a leaky old house, we're starting to dread the approach of our first winter here. All we have is one crappy gas wall heater, this electricity-sucking system on the roof that pumps down solar-heated air, and a fireplace in the bedroom. We need more. (We're already going to seal the windows with plastic where we can.)
posted by gottabefunky on Sep 23, 2004 - 8 answers

Anyone know how to insulate a hot water heater?
posted by adampsyche on Dec 13, 2003 - 3 answers