Hot Water Woes

Recently my 5 year old, energy efficiant, gas hot water heater has been igniting on and off, on and off, on and off, ect. The burner stays lit for 5-8 seconds before it shuts off and ignits again and again and. We eventually run out off hot water before the tank can recover? The blower seems to be working o.k. as that stays on the whole time of this minotinous cycle.

 

Hi:Jessiejames

I read your posting several times and still haven't got an answer for you. I would like more information please.

#1
Is this hot water heater a free standing tank type and if so, of what gallon size?

#2
Or is it an instantaneous type? <hangs on a wall> If so, what is it's gallon per hour capacity?

#3
Does this hot water heater do anything other then supply faucet hot water?

You mentioned a blower?
Next questions are:

What blower? Do you mean a circulation pump?If it has a blower <as in an air moving fan type blower> what else does the hot water heater do? Supply house heating also?

There are basically two different types of hot water units used in homes, as mentioned above. Either type can do multiple tasks.

The most often used type is the free standing tank type but this can vary from state to state and region to region within the country.

In order to assist you with the problem, kindly elaborate with more details.

Regards,
TomBartco




------------------
Sincerely,
TomBartco
TomBartco Enterprises.
Trade:Natural Gas Energy Consultant & Technician.
Appliance Service & Repairs Rep.
Vocations:Saw & Tool Sharpening. Small Engine Repairs.
Accurate Power Equipment Company.

Personal Quote:
"Drive Safely. The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."

 

Dear Tom,
Thanks for your responce and sorry about the confusion I,m not very good at these kind of things. The hot water heater is free standing, 40 gallon. By blower what I ment was that it is a energy efficient type that has a blower moter on top to exhast fumes to the outside when it burns. It supplies hot water to the faucets, washer and dish washer. Im thinking it might be the thermal couple???

[This message has been edited by Jessiejames (edited March 15, 2000).]

 

Hi:Jessiejames

On this coast and in my 20+ years on the job, I must admit, I personally have never seen a 40 gallon tank with any type of blower fan to exhaust burner fumes.

Fact is:
Even those with tank sizes over 100 gallons I have never seen with blowers nor has anyone reported back to me to have seen or serviced one.

If your water heater has an electronic spark ignition pilot <which I doubt on a tank this small> and the burner cycles on and off, it may be as simple as a dusty pilot causing the problem.

Smothering flames will also cause this problem.

May also be one of several other items:

A defective flame prover on electronic systems or a partially opened downdraft diverter baffle.

Distorted flame spreader.

Restricted baffle in the flue.

A poor connection at any of the wires from the spark module.

Conditions such as those discribed here, in my opinion, will need to be check, verified, located and corrected by a trained plummer.

Good Luck

------------------
Sincerely,
TomBartco
TomBartco Enterprises.
Trade:Natural Gas Energy Consultant & Technician.
Appliance Service & Repairs Rep.
Vocations:Saw & Tool Sharpening. Small Engine Repairs.
Accurate Power Equipment Company.

Personal Quote:
"Drive Safely. The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."

 

quote:<HR>Originally posted by TomBartco:
Hi:Jessiejames

On this coast and in my 20+ years on the job, I must admit, I personally have never seen a 40 gallon tank with any type of blower fan to exhaust burner fumes.

Fact is:
Even those with tank sizes over 100 gallons I have never seen with blowers nor has anyone reported back to me to have seen or serviced one.

If your water heater has an electronic spark ignition pilot <which I doubt on a tank this small> and the burner cycles on and off, it may be as simple as a dusty pilot causing the problem.

Smothering flames will also cause this problem.

May also be one of several other items:

A defective flame prover on electronic systems or a partially opened downdraft diverter baffle.

Distorted flame spreader.

Restricted baffle in the flue.

A poor connection at any of the wires from the spark module.

Conditions such as those discribed here, in my opinion, will need to be check, verified, located and corrected by a trained plummer.

Good Luck

<HR>

It's called a power vent gas hot water heater. It has a fan exhaust on top which enables the vent to only go to the outside wall. nor long chimney pipes up the side of your house. Uses PVC 40 3" pipe instead of the old double walled metal pipes. Moxt major brands Rheem, Sears etc offer this type of Gas water Heaters. I know I just bought two 40 Gallons for use in a Bed and Breakfast.