I have a 40 gal A.O. Smith hot water heather it is relativley new. I notice it has a standing pilot. Would it be worth it to get an electronic igniter for it.
2006-10-26 17:07:45 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you can locate the correct electronic ignition module for less than $146 installed, the ROI may be there for upgrading to electronic ignition.
I looked for an electronic ignition module for your model, but could not locate one. I found an electronic ignition module for a similar model, going for $100 on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7590005356&ru=http://search.ebay.com:80/7590005356_W0QQfromZR40QQfviZ1
The pilot light on your hot water heater will consume 73 therms of gas per year. http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com/Residential/TheEnergyAdviser/06_03_26
Assuming that you pay $1 per therm, http://mn.centerpointenergy.com/for_your_home/energy_your_home/manage/pricing.asp you're looking at $73 in gas for the pilot light.
If you can locate the electronic ignition module and install it yourself, you could pay for the upgrade in gas savings in less than two years.
An easier way to save energy would be to insulate your hot water heater with a secondary insulation jacket. The insulation jackets cost $15, and will save $15 in gas in less than three months. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13070
For any other readers who have not yet purchased a hot water heater, do not purchase a traditional (tank type) heater. Instead, shell out the extra money for a tankless hot water heater. http://www.toolbase.org/Building-Systems/Plumbing/tankless-water-heaters http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12820
After some additional digging, I believe I found the ignitor for your hot water heater. Made by Honeywell, A.O. Smith uses a combined thermostat/ignitor called a SmartValve. Because there are different models of the SmartValve, you will need to verify your exact model of hot water heater. Here's the link to A.O. Smith's SmartValve models: http://www.hotwater.com/search/index.aspx?s=smartvalve&submit.x=16&submit.y=8
2006-10-26 17:44:59 · answer #1 · answered by IGoogledU 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a friend that took an old electric 120 volt mobile home type element and lowered it into the hole where the stack is and heated his water until the gas was hooked up. This man was a master appliance and refrigeration tech that worked for the power company. I don't advise you trying it.
2016-05-21 23:59:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
And since the gas valve is non-electric what will turn on the ignitor? Does anyone think about these things? I have yet to see a gas water heater hooked up to an electric service.
2006-10-29 15:04:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.
Your tank is designed to use a pilot.
You will have to get a tank engineered for what your looking for.
Anything else is not safe, and will void your warranty.
2006-10-27 17:01:04 · answer #4 · answered by USMC Rando 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very Nice answer above!
Newt
2006-10-27 01:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by Newtgadget www.T-C-Pro.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋