Hot Water Heater - InspectionNews

Tom Rees · #1 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 08:03 PM

I'd like your opinion on this. A friend has a newer home with his water heater about 75 feet from his kitchen. To try and save some $ on hot water he thought it would be a good idea to insulate the hot water supply line (it is an unfinished basement). Now the water heater lets the temperature drop to almost luke warm before firing back up. Obviosly this has something to do with the thermostat or limit control but I cannot come up with a definite answer. This is one of the parts of being an inspector that I like, a puzzle (to me anyway). Thanks for any theories.

Rick Hurst · #2 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 08:22 PM

He could put a insta-hot device under the kitchen sink and save a bunch of water waste.

They are not very expensive.

rick

Bruce King · #3 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 09:24 PM

Is it gas or electric?

Sounds like it may be "firing" up fine but the left over water in the long 75' run has become warm. It takes about 3-5 minutes to get the actual water from the tank to a modern low flow fixture with a run that long.

If the tank is in fact not turning on at the correct time it has some type of problem, need more info.

Tom Rees · #4 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 09:35 PM

Thanks Bruce, that sounds right to me.