How to use insulation to wrap a water heater

One of the most cost efficient means to conserve energy and decrease utility bills is to install an insulation blanket over your gas fired water heater. Even high efficiency water heaters may have less then one inch of insulation on the inside of the unit. An insulation blanket can be purchased at most hardware stores for a low cost. These types of insulating jackets are very effective in keeping heat energy inside the water heater. If you can not locate an insulating blanket at your local hardware store you can easily make one using some lengths of fiberglass insulation. Cut lengths of fiberglass batt insulation with a paper backing that are long enough to wrap around the circumference of the water heater. The two ends of the length of batt insulation should be long enough to meet at the front of the water heater. Use a sharp utility knife or other cutter to cut the insulation. An effective way to cut insulation is to use a 2 x 4 piece of wood to press the insulation down. Cut the insulation with the paper backing face up, using the edge of the 2x4 as a guide for your knife. Begin to wrap the lengths of insulation around the water heater tank beginning at the bottom of the water heater. Use duct tape to secure insulation where the two ends meet. Be sure to use plenty of tape so the ends will not separate. You must be sure to keep the pressure relief discharge valve (TPRV), discharge pipe and the gas valve and temperature controls unobstructed. You want these unobstructed so that they can be easily accessed and viewed. Cut the insulation to fit around the top of the water heater tank. Be sure to leave three inches of clearance from the insulation to the vent pipe that exists at the top of the water heater. Make sure that the bottom of the vent pipe is unobstructed in order to avoid the possibility of toxic gas from entering the home. Make sure not to obstruct the air intakes located at the bottom of the water heater. You do not want the unit operating in an oxygen starved environment. The tank will not perform efficiently if it lacks the required fresh air. Apply one long length of duct tape to the seam (where the sections of insulation meet) vertically in order to help prevent the lengths of insulation from separating. You may have to use several long lengths of tape to perform this step. Home Inspections New Jersey Home Inspectors New Jersey