Insulating the Hot Water Heater

nEighter · 11-10-2008, 02:34 PM

I just went out and bought a Hot Water Heater blanket and am installing it right now. I also have insulation for the exposed hot water line. This will change eventually cause I am going to change over to an on demand water heater... but for now hopefully it helps save a lil bit of change and keeps the water hotter. Pics to follow.

BTW.. got the blanket at lowes, was around 20.00.. I got a contractor discount on it so it was a bit cheaper.

The metal tubing insulation was a couple bux a pieces.. think the 2 together were like 5 or 6 bux.

**timeless2** · 11-10-2008, 02:42 PM

Good deal. That's (hot water heater blanket) one of the first energy mods I do in any house. I wrap all hot lines where I can and also all refrigerant lines (air conditioner) where possible.

This is the stuff I use.

Good work. Post those pictures of the finished product.

**stang_lover69** · 11-10-2008, 03:31 PM

i thought the title of this thread was "insulted the hot water heater"

**timeless2** · 11-10-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang_lover69

i thought the title of this thread was "insulted the hot water heater"

Time for some new specs.

**stang_lover69** · 11-10-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timeless2

Time for some new specs.

i should just try reading instead of skimming so much.

ryanrule · 11-10-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timeless2

Good deal. That's (hot water heater blanket) one of the first energy mods I do in any house. I wrap all hot lines where I can and also all refrigerant lines (air conditioner) where possible.

This is the stuff I use.

Good work. Post those pictures of the finished product.

ive never seen ac line without an insulater alreadu installed on it. and dont modern hot water heaters have insulation?

**BlackArtemis** · 11-10-2008, 03:42 PM

Call it's mother a whore...

**BlackArtemis** · 11-10-2008, 03:42 PM

whoops, missed that "a" there.

**timeless2** · 11-10-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanrule

ive never seen ac line without an insulater alreadu installed on it. and dont modern hot water heaters have insulation?

Visit some older homes where the units were installed prior to more progressive mindsets being adopted. Rodents commonly shred the tubed insulation, as it makes great bedding for them. The insulation can also dry-rot and fall away from the line.

Yes. They do on the inside, between the case and the water tank itself. The blanket adds yet another layer of insulation. For some homes where the utilities are located in the basement or in the garage, this insulation becomes even more beneficial.

nEighter · 11-10-2008, 04:22 PM

Yeah there is no insulation on ANY of my refrigerant & H2o lines. I need to do them ALL, and will.. I ran out of insulation for the H2o lines

need to go pick some more up.

Yeah my Hot Water Heater is downstairs in a cold little room right next to the garage

Pics are uploading now.

didn't know everyone knew of the HWH Blankets

I kinda did, but saw an ad for a sale I think Home Depot had on em and

was like yeah I need to do that

nEighter · 11-10-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArtemis

Call it's mother a whore...

among other things

nEighter · 11-10-2008, 04:55 PM

The blanket

the dirty whore!

All the lines.

Out of package.. those two little white stips are a vinyl tape that is included.. seriously throw this shit away. If you want a clean install just get some clear duct tape. It is pricey, but won't show. Don't bother with this crappy tape.

just wrappin her up

There is a "tab" you must keep at the top.. gives you something to tap down to the top of the water heater.. BTW you need to wash the top of the water heater off, it is kinda dirty up there

want to make sure the tape can stick to the top.

cut off the excess.. btw it is easier to cut the insulation side first believe it or not..

what happens if you cut the white side first

it frays out. :doh: you sometimes learn the hard way.. I ALWAYS do, but you sometimes learn the hard way.

It is hard to gauge what you are going to need to cut, so I had to add some pieces back in.. you are not supposed to cover the plate that allows access to the pilot light.

With the extra that I cut off, I wrapped that around the heater.. it wasn't long enough to go all the way around which was perfect.. left the access panel free and clear!

The H2o/refrigerant line insulation.. I got one to cover the line, then one to cover it

nothing like double protection when dealing with a dirty whore

eh blackartemis??

I actually used that crappy tape they provide and there isn't enough to do the job, I went looking for duct tape and found my clear duct tape.. was awesome!

Taped the seam going around.. I had JUST enough to cover the bottom.. the instuctions do not say to do this but I wonder why

this way it is about 95% insulated.. you don't insulate a gas water heaters top.. and the access panel.

Clear duct tape was a little dirty on the edges but

got the job done, in fact I ran out as I put my last piece on..

FreeBird · 11-10-2008, 08:27 PM

just needed a few pipe insulation peices when we bought our house

. i honestly nebbar heard of hot water blanket though

prolly dont need one in florida too much i guess

nEighter · 11-10-2008, 09:14 PM

I am like a small bus kid. I just learned the water heater blanket deal myself

I have heard about it in the past, but

I dunno. I have been here for over 2 yrs and have done NOTHING to the pipes :doh:!!

19teal93lx · 11-10-2008, 10:55 PM

I get that you don't want it to look shitty and I respect that ... but really, it's your hot water heater! Who cares what it looks like as long as it's insulated effectively. And if you go through the trouble to insulate it I would imagine you could also do your basic maintenance/fixes it might need, thus furthering the validity of "who care what it looks like as long as it works" because you will be one of the few ever looking at it.

What kind of savings does this yield for the average homeowner/renter?

nEighter · 11-10-2008, 11:14 PM

I am not exactly sure. If it keeps the heater hotter by not allowing the cool air around it to cool it off, then probably quite a bit because the gas won't be coming on as much to heat it back up.. think it said the R value on it was about 7..

will have to double check on that.

That and the insulation round the pipes will help too.. but by how much

don't know.

19teal93lx · 11-10-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nEighter

I am not exactly sure. If it keeps the heater hotter by not allowing the cool air around it to cool it off, then probably quite a bit because the gas won't be coming on as much to heat it back up.. think it said the R value on it was about 7..

will have to double check on that.

That and the insulation round the pipes will help too.. but by how much

don't know.

Yea I understand how it works but I didn't know if it marketed like, ya know, 2.5% monthly savings or something which would definitely make it worth ~$20, especially over years of ownership and usage!

nEighter · 11-11-2008, 09:51 AM

I will read the package and find out. Don't remember seeing anything like that on it

Dusstbuster · 11-12-2008, 11:23 AM

2 different google results...
Water Heater Blankets

Hot water heater blankets

Quote:

The insulating jacket can reduce heat loss by an appreciable 25–40%, which represents a saving of up to around 9% on your annual water heating costs[...]
When you install a jacket, ensure that your thermostat is set under 130 degrees fahrenheit so that wiring doesn't overheat. You also might consider placing an insulating bottom board under the tank to prevent heat being lost into the floor or concrete. This can provide an added 9% energy saving.

nEighter · 11-12-2008, 11:44 AM

wow good shit man!

where to get a bottom board

bet I could use that Styrofoam insulation for that!

I just don't know what 130 deg is cause it only has a dial that says WARM WARMER HOT or something like that with lil notches in between

**timeless2** · 11-12-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nEighter

wow good shit man!

where to get a bottom board

bet I could use that Styrofoam insulation for that!

I just don't know what 130 deg is cause it only has a dial that says WARM WARMER HOT or something like that with lil notches in between

Get a meat thermometer and place it in the "full hot" stream of water from any faucet. You can then make minor adjustments from that benchmark to get to where you need to be.

nEighter · 11-12-2008, 04:12 PM

how much for heat loss? Like if it reads 130 at faucet is it really 138?

11-10-2008, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	Insulating the Hot Water Heater I just went out and bought a Hot Water Heater blanket and am installing it right now. I also have insulation for the exposed hot water line. This will change eventually cause I am going to change over to an on demand water heater... but for now hopefully it helps save a lil bit of change and keeps the water hotter. Pics to follow. BTW.. got the blanket at lowes, was around 20.00.. I got a contractor discount on it so it was a bit cheaper. The metal tubing insulation was a couple bux a pieces.. think the 2 together were like 5 or 6 bux. __________________

11-10-2008, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
timeless2 I <3 Asian dishes. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 30,987	Good deal. That's (hot water heater blanket) one of the first energy mods I do in any house. I wrap all hot lines where I can and also all refrigerant lines (air conditioner) where possible. This is the stuff I use. Good work. Post those pictures of the finished product. __________________ Tim 2010 Ford Mustang \| MagnaFlow Exhaust \| Toy Reviews & Recalls She's back and she's bad...or is she good?

11-10-2008, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
stang_lover69 *the polarbear conservation corps protects a classy* polarbear cutie meeting a polarbear homie straight outa compton and sharing klondike bars** Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gresham, OR Posts: 15,279 Blog Entries: 1	i thought the title of this thread was "insulted the hot water heater" __________________ The Dond (\__/) This is bunny. Copy and paste bunny (='.'=) into your signature to help him gain (")_(") world domination.

11-10-2008, 03:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
BlackArtemis I'm so fucking drink right now... Join Date: Mar 1982 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 11,105 Blog Entries: 12	Call it's mother a whore... __________________

11-10-2008, 03:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
BlackArtemis I'm so fucking drink right now... Join Date: Mar 1982 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 11,105 Blog Entries: 12	whoops, missed that "a" there. __________________

11-10-2008, 04:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	Yeah there is no insulation on *ANY* of my refrigerant & H2o lines. I need to do them ALL, and will.. I ran out of insulation for the H2o lines need to go pick some more up. Yeah my Hot Water Heater is downstairs in a cold little room right next to the garage Pics are uploading now. didn't know everyone knew of the HWH Blankets I kinda did, but saw an ad for a sale I think Home Depot had on em and was like yeah I need to do that __________________

11-10-2008, 04:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	Here are the pics :D The blanket the dirty whore! All the lines. Out of package.. those two little white stips are a vinyl tape that is included.. seriously throw this shit away. If you want a clean install just get some clear duct tape. It is pricey, but won't show. Don't bother with this crappy tape. just wrappin her up There is a "tab" you must keep at the top.. gives you something to tap down to the top of the water heater.. BTW you need to wash the top of the water heater off, it is kinda dirty up there want to make sure the tape can stick to the top. cut off the excess.. btw it is easier to cut the insulation side first believe it or not.. what happens if you cut the white side first it frays out. :doh: you sometimes learn the hard way.. I ALWAYS do, but you sometimes learn the hard way. It is hard to gauge what you are going to need to cut, so I had to add some pieces back in.. you are not supposed to cover the plate that allows access to the pilot light. With the extra that I cut off, I wrapped that around the heater.. it wasn't long enough to go all the way around which was perfect.. left the access panel free and clear! The H2o/refrigerant line insulation.. I got one to cover the line, then one to cover it nothing like double protection when dealing with a dirty whore eh blackartemis?? I actually used that crappy tape they provide and there isn't enough to do the job, I went looking for duct tape and found my clear duct tape.. was awesome! Taped the seam going around.. I had JUST enough to cover the bottom.. the instuctions do not say to do this but I wonder why this way it is about 95% insulated.. you don't insulate a gas water heaters top.. and the access panel. Clear duct tape was a little dirty on the edges but got the job done, in fact I ran out as I put my last piece on.. __________________

11-10-2008, 08:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
FreeBird Red Bull gives you wiiiiings!!! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 14,782	just needed a few pipe insulation peices when we bought our house . i honestly nebbar heard of hot water blanket though prolly dont need one in florida too much i guess __________________

11-10-2008, 09:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	I am like a small bus kid. I just learned the water heater blanket deal myself I have heard about it in the past, but I dunno. I have been here for over 2 yrs and have done NOTHING to the pipes :doh:!! __________________

11-10-2008, 10:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
19teal93lx Jerking off again is almost too much work Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 936	I get that you don't want it to look shitty and I respect that ... but really, it's your hot water heater! Who cares what it looks like as long as it's insulated effectively. And if you go through the trouble to insulate it I would imagine you could also do your basic maintenance/fixes it might need, thus furthering the validity of "who care what it looks like as long as it works" because you will be one of the few ever looking at it. What kind of savings does this yield for the average homeowner/renter? __________________ \|Shawn\| 1993 Teal Mustang LX, 2.3L 5-speed Looking for a 2.3 turbo motor

11-10-2008, 11:14 PM	#16 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	I am not exactly sure. If it keeps the heater hotter by not allowing the cool air around it to cool it off, then probably quite a bit because the gas won't be coming on as much to heat it back up.. think it said the R value on it was about 7.. will have to double check on that. That and the insulation round the pipes will help too.. but by how much don't know. __________________

11-11-2008, 09:51 AM	#18 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	I will read the package and find out. Don't remember seeing anything like that on it __________________

11-12-2008, 11:44 AM	#20 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	wow good shit man! where to get a bottom board bet I could use that Styrofoam insulation for that! I just don't know what 130 deg is cause it only has a dial that says WARM WARMER HOT or something like that with lil notches in between __________________

11-12-2008, 04:12 PM	#22 (permalink)
nEighter i <3 whalepenis Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TwiLight zOne!! Posts: 12,100 Blog Entries: 1	how much for heat loss? Like if it reads 130 at faucet is it really 138? __________________

11-12-2008, 04:14 PM	#23 (permalink)
timeless2 I <3 Asian dishes. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 30,987