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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 RECOMMENDSThat You Insulate Them:
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"
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Maintaining over 50 hours of continuing education per year.
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Debra - Thanks for the information and I was going to leave a comment just on your title that in Vegas we wouldn't need to do this. But after reading your post it looks like no one should, never knew that!
Wrapping hot water heaters is a throw-back to the times when they were not very well insulated. The Gov't is always slow to catch up. Not all hot water heaters have this warning on them. Always follow the mfg. instructions.
Interesting. Even our local home inspectors don't agree. Some say it won't hurt while others tell buyers to remove additional insulation ASAP. I guess that if the water tank manufacturer specifically recommends NO ADDITIONAL INSULATION, the homeowner should follow that advice.
I just had a brand new hot water tank installed, and I asked that question. The HVAC guy told me that I should DEFINITELY NOT wrap anything around it. They are well insulated and they are not meant to be wrapped. I had always been told before that, to wrap it, to keep the water warmer, longer (especially if/when you have central air in the home, which for us, is part of the system attached to the water tank and it gets quite cold in the summer).
I had no problems at all with the water heater being near the ac unit all Summer. Works great. :)
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7 Comments on Should You Insulate a Water Heater?
Debra - Thanks for the information and I was going to leave a comment just on your title that in Vegas we wouldn't need to do this. But after reading your post it looks like no one should, never knew that!
Wrapping hot water heaters is a throw-back to the times when they were not very well insulated. The Gov't is always slow to catch up. Not all hot water heaters have this warning on them. Always follow the mfg. instructions.
During an energy audit, we never suggest they insulate gas water heaters. Thank for sharing, otherwise most people would never know.
Interesting. Even our local home inspectors don't agree. Some say it won't hurt while others tell buyers to remove additional insulation ASAP. I guess that if the water tank manufacturer specifically recommends NO ADDITIONAL INSULATION, the homeowner should follow that advice.
Bob-I always thought that now-a-days it was unnecessary. I didn't realize it was such a controversy.
Wayne-Well said!
Ed-Right! The average person has no idea.
Tom-Exactly!
I just had a brand new hot water tank installed, and I asked that question. The HVAC guy told me that I should DEFINITELY NOT wrap anything around it. They are well insulated and they are not meant to be wrapped. I had always been told before that, to wrap it, to keep the water warmer, longer (especially if/when you have central air in the home, which for us, is part of the system attached to the water tank and it gets quite cold in the summer).
I had no problems at all with the water heater being near the ac unit all Summer. Works great. :)
Sylvie-Thanks for that informative post!