Hot water heater wrap fire hazard?

[RobD]

Hello! I had my water heater serviced, and when they re-wraped it with the insulation blanket they left the foam covering off this valve (I have no idea what it is). It does get hot though, and I'm worried the foam piece (shown in pic) was keeping the hot pipe from touching the insulation. Should I call them back to install this piece; I just don't want to mess with it myself because I always make things worse. Thanks for any advice! I appreciate it.

 

[CT18]

It is just to keep condensation from forming on the hot PRV when the basement gets cool. You can put it on or leave it off, the PRV will never get hot enough to catch anything on fire. The PRV will relieve pressure, or temp from the water heater. It is a safety device

 

[RobD]

It is just to keep condensation from forming on the hot PRV when the basement gets cool. You can put it on or leave it off, the PRV will never get hot enough to catch anything on fire. The PRV will relieve pressure, or temp from the water heater. It is a safety device

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the info. And I like the profile pic!

 

[RS]

You should never put insulation over a safety valve, it might restrict it's operation.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Are those insulation blankets really effective at saving money?

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Are those insulation blankets really effective at saving money?

No...feel the outside of any modern tank. They are generally at the room temperature, not the inside water temp. They already have good insulation. Not worth the time and money. Now, insulating pipes going to and from the tank? That may make some sense, and in some installation locations, it's code.

 

[RS]

On older water heaters, yes, newer ones maybe not, the requirements have changed over the years.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Suspicions confirmed.

 

[pakle]

No...feel the outside of any modern tank. They are generally at the room temperature, not the inside water temp. They already have good insulation. Not worth the time and money. Now, insulating pipes going to and from the tank? That may make some sense, and in some installation locations, it's code.

I was wondering about that too. About 10 yrs ago, I had the local hvac company put in a 40 gallon 'insulated' water heater. A month later I noticed the label said 50 gallon and confirmed with the company owner that they had in fact put in a 50 gallon regular WH. They offered to switch it out for me but I liked the 50 gallon and they gave me a $100 refund. I thought about putting the insulating blankets around it to achieve the same effect but never got around it to. It died exactly 10 yrs later. I have no idea if the new WH I got from Home Depot last year is 'insulated,' it sure does feel room temp on the outside of the tank.

 

[TomFOhio]

They are all well insulated as they have that foam squirted in around the tank. Since the government stepped in the tanks
are thicker with foam than before. I think those wraps are a waste of money too.

 

[hdtvkeith]

I have wrapped my HW heaters the last 3 or 4 of them. I just had a new one put in last year. And while newer heaters have my insulation, insulation is not a dead stop for heat transfer. Sure feel the outside of a modern tank and it will feel room temperature, becasue the heat loss is slowed dramatically. If I put my hand under the heater blanket I feel a warm outside of the tank where heat is now further being slowed from exiting the tank. A while back I know AO Smith tried to say an external blanket voided the warranty then they had to back down. I do keep the blanket away from the bottom vents and gas tube access panel and do not cover the PRV.