I have a 25 yr old propane water heater (A.O. Smith model# FSG 50 243) installed in a short term vacation rental, so it doesn't get used for days at a time. If the hot water has not been on for a while it only comes out lukewarm, but never cold. If the lukewarm hot water is run for a while and then turned off you get normal hot water about an hour+ later. It's almost like it goes in to a sleep mode and once some water is removed it heats the entire tank back up to normal. This has been going on a number of years but prior to that it seemed to function normally. It has been flushed relatively recently but no real maintenance beyond that. FWIW the label on the unit says, "EQUIPPED WITH HIGH ALTITUDE ORIFICE, SEA LEVEL ORIFICE = 50." Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Inconsistent/delayed heating (propane water heater)
- Thread starter dlight
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1. congrats on having a WH last for 25 years. The gas valve aquastat seems to be sticky.
It is NOT worth the effort to mess with a WH that old.
REPLACE
It is NOT worth the effort to mess with a WH that old.
REPLACE
Thanks, breplum, 25yrs is a good run. I assumed that might be the solution. Any thoughts on the most reliable WH brands?
WH brands all use the same technology and manufacturing tech. So, we tend to use what our local supply house has to offer. lots of people buy at Home Depot.
