Jacket for a water heater?

Question

Hello, I am wondering if there are any products out there that are designed to insulate your water heater. Mine is outside in the laundry room (I live in East Texas) and it we are in the coldest part of the year. I don't ever use enough hot water to run the heater OUT, but I can't seem to make it last very long, leading me to believe that it is losing heat by being cold outside. I don't want to keep turning it up and run up the gas bill.

In absence of a specific item for this, I wonder if it would be safe to wrap it in anything else, old blanket, etc. I have a camping mattress that is a dense plyable styrofoam and is an excellent insulator. But don't want to burn the house down somehow or interrupt the workings of the heater.

PS nothing wrong with the heater, it is fairly new.

Answer 1

There are insulating blankets available for water heaters. Usually they are a layer of fiberglass with a plastic outer shell, and they wrap around and seal with tape. Measure the width and height of your water heater, and make a note of the manufacturer and model. Then go to a home improvement store like Menard's, Lowe's, or Home Depot and ask about them. Be sure you get installation instructions. In general, you don't want to obstruct the controls, or the air intake vents if it's a gas heater.

If there's none of the stores listed nearby, then try a good hardware store. They may carry them, or can certainly order one.

Answer 2

One thing you did not mention was the maximum distance from the water heater to to the furthest sink or shower. You did mention that it was located outside in the laundry room. Is this room insulated? The water heater blanket is a good idea and the should be first place to start. However, you should also insulate the hot water outlet line, wherever it is exposed. (IE: along ceilings and walls; crawl spaces and basements.) This will also help.

Answer 3

There are jackets for water heaters, but you only use them on electric water heaters. The gas ones are already insulated and it is a code violation to have them. (see link and go to SIDEBAR section.)

If your water isn't very hot, it may be from lack of annual maintenance (it may have a couple of inches of sediment accumulated which would reduce its efficiency - if so, it needs to be replaced).

You can put insulation on the water pipes themselves because they are not insulated already. This is something readily available at any hardware store. It's a foam tube with a slit cut all the way down so you can slip it over the pipes. You then attach it with duct tape.

Answer 4

There are custom insulation jackets for water heaters but you can get a roll of fiberglass insulation (non flammable) and wrap it with that. If the water heater is not putting out enough hot water is more likely that your coil is getting corroded and or your water heater has allot of sediment that needs to be flushed out. With the high mineral content in Texas water it is very common.

Answer 5

The actually make water heater blankets. You can buy them at Home Depot, Lowes, Sutherlands or most home center stores. If you have a gas heater make sure you cut away a spot whee the burner opening is.

Coach

Answer 6

I suggest you insulate around the heater - i.e. put up foam insulation on the walls around the heater and build a box around it if necessary.

Answer 7

Lowes or Home Depot sale water heater blankets....but you might also be interested in a tank less water heater...they use less energy and supply a constant supply of hot water... that will be my next choice....

Answer 8

Go to Lowes/Home Depot, etc.. ask for a water heater jacket

Answer 9

They sell ones specifically designed for that