Water Heater ?
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From: Roland, Ar
Water Heater ?
I did a test today because my power usage has gone way up, I noted power usage for one hour with the water heater on and then off. After one hour on the meter showed 2kw used and with the heater off it only showed 1/2kw used, my question is do I have a problem with my water heater? The thermostat is set almost to the lowest setting and it is a 30gal tank and about 5yrs old.
Last edited by F150'89; Jan 4, 2005 at 09:12 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Don't know if water heater is causing the spike in electrical useage. Have you ever flushed/drained the water heater? Hook a garden hose to the faucet at the bottom of the heater and drain/flush out all the settlement. You would be suprised at the amount of rust and debris that are in a water heater.
A 30 gallon tank usually has two heating elements. One of the elements may be bad causing the heater to work harder causing higher electical use. An element cost less than 10 bucks and you may need a special socket/tool to intall the element.
You have to cut off the water and drain the tank with the garden hose set up mentioned above to replace the element. Don't forget to cut the power to the water heater before working on it.
A 30 gallon tank usually has two heating elements. One of the elements may be bad causing the heater to work harder causing higher electical use. An element cost less than 10 bucks and you may need a special socket/tool to intall the element.
You have to cut off the water and drain the tank with the garden hose set up mentioned above to replace the element. Don't forget to cut the power to the water heater before working on it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
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From: Murphysboro, IL
Is your water heater sitting on concrete?
Reason i ask is many peopel set them on concrete which is fine but if you don't place somethign in between the tank and the concrete the concrete will suck the heat right out of the bottom of the tank. We use to always place a 1 1/2" or 2" piece of polystyrene between concrete and the bottom of the tank. You would be amazed at the difference.
Reason i ask is many peopel set them on concrete which is fine but if you don't place somethign in between the tank and the concrete the concrete will suck the heat right out of the bottom of the tank. We use to always place a 1 1/2" or 2" piece of polystyrene between concrete and the bottom of the tank. You would be amazed at the difference.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Masontown, WV
2 kwh for a 30 gallon heater sounds about right. You may have a small hot water leak causing the spike. Or If you have an electric drier it may need cleaned. Or if you are using a heat pump for heat it may need some attention.
I could go on and on but it my be something other than your hot water.
What size of breaker is supplying your hot water tank?
I could go on and on but it my be something other than your hot water.
What size of breaker is supplying your hot water tank?
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They use a whole lot of power. They are on typically on a 30amp 220v circuit. It all depends on how much the WH stays on. If it runs continuously for the hour 1.5kwh is about right, maybe even a bit low.
30 gallons is a REALLY small electric water heater. Is this for a mobile home or something? It's hard to believe that would be big enough for even a 1 bedroom 1 bath for how slowly electrics recover. 80 gallon is a common size for electrics.
I would always switch to gas if it's available, it is much cheaper (and faster) to heat water with gas or propane than electricity.
30 gallons is a REALLY small electric water heater. Is this for a mobile home or something? It's hard to believe that would be big enough for even a 1 bedroom 1 bath for how slowly electrics recover. 80 gallon is a common size for electrics.
I would always switch to gas if it's available, it is much cheaper (and faster) to heat water with gas or propane than electricity.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Danville, Pa
1) Flush hot water heater
2)check for hot water leaks around house. good way to do this is walk around and anywhere you can touch a pipe, feel for warmth. I have had sinks leak at hot water valve and drip in inconspicous places and found out this way.
3)wrap heater in fiberglass/vinyl "hot water heater" jacket.
4)install a timer to run heater only durring the day. Very easy to do.
just my .02 Good luck, Dave
2)check for hot water leaks around house. good way to do this is walk around and anywhere you can touch a pipe, feel for warmth. I have had sinks leak at hot water valve and drip in inconspicous places and found out this way.
3)wrap heater in fiberglass/vinyl "hot water heater" jacket.
4)install a timer to run heater only durring the day. Very easy to do.
just my .02 Good luck, Dave
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From: Roland, Ar
Yes the WH is in a mobile home and is inside of the "home" and uses 2 20amp breakers. I installed a new thermostat today and will do the flush and change the heating element to see if that helps.
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