Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with hotwaterheater

What is killing our appliances?

missuswayne — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:26:21 -0800

Our appliances are dropping like flies. Is this because of hard water, or is it something more sinister? In the last year we've had to replace the heating element on our recently-installed hot water heater, as well as the heating element in our 3 1/2 year old dishwasher. As of this week, said dishwasher is also facing another repair which will cost $275 (we're just going to buy a new one). All of these problems were caused by deposits from our hard water, according to the repair people we've consulted.

The strange thing is, as far as I know my neighbors aren't having this problem (even though all our water comes from the same sources). Is there something else that could be causing the mineral buildup in our dishwasher and hot water heater?

We're strongly considering buying a water softener (salt or reverse osmosis? I have no idea...) when we get the new dishwasher, but before we do that I'm trying to rule out other possibilities.

Help me keep my hot water heater from exploding

GlowWyrm — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:56 -0800

What do I need to know to check my temperature and pressure release valve of my electric water heater? I just got a home maintenance book that says hot water heaters can explode if the pressure release valve becomes inoperable. I check one website and it says to check it every 6 months. Talk to another person and they say I'm about to make a huge mistake by checking it at all.

I've owned my home for 3 years and the TPV has never been checked and I don't know if it was ever checked by the previous owners. The hot water heater (around 15 years old probably) is in the attic right above my daughter's bedroom. Therefore I'd rather end up with a leak into her bedroom versus a huge explosion above her bedroom.

So hivemind, what do I need to know in order to do this properly...especially if there is anything you learned about doing this that might be skipped over in home maintenance books and diy websites?

Bonus points for anyone that has stories of an explosion or near explosion that happened to them or someone they know. (Mostly so I can show this person that told me not to check it because they never explode that yes, sometimes they do)

Thanks for your help :)

Need advice on purchase of a tankless hotwater heater - and how to get it installed!

caveat empress — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:49:45 -0800

Need advice on buying a tankless water heater - and how to find someone to install it! I live in a really small place, me and the dog. I want to buy a tankless waterheater.

I want to buy a smaller one - but how small (2.7g per min too small?) for a small (900 sq ft) 2 story town house? What is a good model that is economical to purchase as well?

How do I find someone to install it? I could go through Lowes or Home Depot.... but I am not certain what the logical first step is... and I need to get this done while I actually have a little extra money.

Insulating a hot water heater

adampsyche — Sat, 13 Dec 2003 19:31:52 -0800

Anyone know how to insulate a hot water heater?