Water Heater Jacket

[Rockslinger]

Of all things, one of my neighbours gave me a brand new water heater jacket (still inside its sealed plastic bag).

Question: Why would my water heater need a jacket?

 

[Ceiling Cat]

If the water heater is in a crawl space or cold basement, it helps to keep the heat in. If it is in a warm space it does not make that much of a difference. You can prove it to yourself by putting your hand on the water heater, the only place it looses heat is in the copper pipe that comes out of the top. So there is not much of a heat loss.

 

[Rockslinger]

If the water heater is in a crawl space or cold basement, it helps to keep the heat in.

Gas water heater is in a dry basement next to the gas HE furnace.

 

[Cruzer22]

Of all things, one of my neighbours gave me a brand new water heater jacket (still inside its sealed plastic bag).

Question: Why would my water heater need a jacket?

I don't know, hot water tanks typically have insulation on them which should be optimized. By adding insulation or increasing the OD of the tank you could actually make it lose more heat. You would reduce conduction losses but would increase convection losses (eg adding 1" of insulation to a 20" tank would increase the surface area by 10%) not to mention radiation losses.

Here's a program if you want to optimize your insulation...

http://www.pipeinsulation.org/pages_v4/details.html

 

[Rockslinger]

If I don't put the jacket on my water heater, do you think my neighbour will be offended? Or, should I put the jacket on only when he comes over to my house and take it off after he leaves?

 

[Anynym]

If I don't put the jacket on my water heater, do you think my neighbour will be offended? Or, should I put the jacket on only when he comes over to my house and take it off after he leaves?

It would be perfectly acceptable for you to engage your neighbour in conversation about the water heater jacket: ask him how you would know if your water heater needs it. If he's opinionated, you'll find out. If he's just giving you the option as a friendly neighbour, you can explore the need together (e.g. have him check if your water heater seems to be losing enough heat to bother) - maybe you can both give it to yet another neighbour who needs it more.

 

[Cruzer22]

If I don't put the jacket on my water heater, do you think my neighbour will be offended? Or, should I put the jacket on only when he comes over to my house and take it off after he leaves?

Why would your neighour be looking at your hot water tank, is it somewhere obvious or do the two of you spend a lot of time in the utility room?

Just tell him you placed a digital thermometer on the skin of the tank and noted the temperature set point of the water and ambient air temperature. You then proceeded to back caculate you effective energy loss and came to the conclusion that his jacket is not suited to your particular situation.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I suspect the water heater jacket is for an electric water heater.

Insulating a Gas Water Heater Tank

The installation of insulating blankets or jackets on gas and oil-fired water heater tanks is more difficult than those for electric water heater tanks. It's best to have a qualified plumbing and heating contractor add the insulation. If you want to install it yourself, read and follow the directions very carefully. Keep the jacket or blanket away from the drain at the bottom and the flue at the top. Make sure the airflow to the burner isn't obstructed. Leave the thermostat uncovered, and don't insulate the top of a gas water heater tank—the insulation is combustible and can interfere with the draft diverter.

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13070

 

[CapitalGuy]

The next time he comes over, wear it like a snuggly, but complain that you couldn't figure out how to put the warm water into the jacket so you're using it dry.

 

[Rockslinger]

The next time he comes over

I'll say that I left the garage door open for just a few minutes and those lesbos from across the street probably stole it. Sometimes in this life one has to fudge the truth a bit. If I told him the real truth it would break his heart. (Would you ever tell your wife the real truth why you won't wear that jacket she bought at Wal-Mart for your birthday?)

 

[Stoo]

The next time he comes over, wear it like a snuggly, but complain that you couldn't figure out how to put the warm water into the jacket so you're using it dry.

You'll need to cut arm holes in it though so you can type on Terb while you're wearing it...

 

[Moraff]

I suspect that newer water heaters don't need them. I got a new power-vented gas one about 2 years ago and the outside of the tank (other than where the copper pipes come out) feels cool to the touch.

You'd be further ahead insulating the water lines. Just make sure to keep the recommended distance (not sure, think it's 6"?) away from the vent.

 

[skidoo64]

You'll need to cut arm holes in it though so you can type on Terb while you're wearing it...[/QUOTE

I found that very amusing for some reason...

Why not cut the arm holes, put on a tie, and take your two lesbian's across the street out for a night on the town.

 

[great bear]

Does the Olde Hide House, or Danier, sell them?

Go to your room. Now!

 

[night ride]

I was trying to fashion a do it yourself jacket using some old insulation and a small tarp. I also knitted some boots for the cute little feet of the tank and a toque for on top. Then I realized that any heat loss was only going into a heated space that needed heat anyways.

 

[Moraff]

I was trying to fashion a do it yourself jacket using some old insulation and a small tarp. I also knitted some boots for the cute little feet of the tank and a toque for on top. Then I realized that any heat loss was only going into a heated space that needed heat anyways.

Lol... but it is more efficient to let your furnace heat that space than the hotwater tank since you are converting energy source (electricity/gas) into hot water before turning it into hot air. The furnace saves a step and is more efficiently designed to do it generally speaking.

 

[Rockslinger]

Glad that some of you guys are having fun with my water heater jacket. I don't think I'll put it on water heater. Maybe I'll sell it on TERB.