Should You Insulate a Water Heater?

A lot of people don't realize that pretty much all Water Heater manufacturers specifically state that insulation blankets are not to be installed on the water heater.  I just happened to be in the position to take this picture, and thought it would be a good example of the warnings that they put on the units.  This one is actually tempered (pun) when compared to some of the other warnings that I will see. 

In the end it is likely not a big issue, but they put all of the warning stickers on the outside of the water heater, and they likely have to tell people that if they block the stickers... they aren't being "warned". 

Some manufactures state that it voids the warranty on the water heater. 

How they would enforce that, I do not know.

And Now for a Major Contradiction:  The US Government Actually RECOMMENDS That You Insulate Them:

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

Oh, brother...

So, should you insulate a water heater? 

Jury is sort of out on this.  If the insulation blanket is on the water heater at the time of the inspection I certainly take a picture and document it (I keep this information to myself).  If a home inspection is "visual and non-invasive", an insulation blanket nicely tucked and sealed around water heater is a notable limitation to the inspection process...

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Justin Nickelsen, CMI

Nickelsen Home Inspections, LLC

"A Conduit for Educated Real Estate Transactions"

Serving Oregon and Washington From the Mountains to the Coast

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• CMI - Board Certified Master Inspector
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