0090 [PDF] Using serial numbers to determine water heater manufacture dates. This is ongoing research by one of our home pros, home inspector Russel Ray, of The HomeTeam Inspection Service in San Diego, California.

0108 [LINK] Water heater information.

Web site for a national water heater distributor that carries many brands, including A.O. Smith, American Standard, Bradford White, and State Industries. Lots of useful information on their "Publications" page.

0122 [PDF] Defective water heater polypropylene dip tubes. Water heater problem may decrease efficiency but poses no threat to water safety.

0128 [LINK] Water heaters.

This national water heater manufacturer's web site includes products, technical literature, press releases, customer service, parts, warranty information, and a custom search feature for the site.

0131 [PDF] Guide to designing energy efficient water heater systems.

Although this is a technical guide written for commercial systems, there are some useful tables and plain English discussion about concepts of heating water.

0133 [PDF] Why, when, and how to remove scale from tank-type water heaters.

Useful 12-page guide discussing problems with tank-type water heaters usually resulting from scale build-up, such as not enough hot water, extended heating cycle, higher utility bills, noisy operation, etc., and ... click to read more

0134 [LINK] Water heaters.

Technical literature page from this national water heater manufacturer. Includes product catalog and brochures, specification sheets, instruction manuals, parts lists, service handbooks, warranty sheets, piping diagrams, wiring diagrams, sizing diagrams, and mis... click to read more

0148 [MHTML]
We use MHTML files for those web sites that don't fully support PDF creation, thereby cutting off the right side of the page in the PDF file. However, some browsers do not support MHTML files, so download this file at your own risk.

Ten things to know before you buy a water heater.

Includes some sales pitches and benefits of water heaters from this specific manufacturer.

0149 [LINK] Web site for a major water heater manufacturer.

0163 [LINK] Useful web site for a major manufacturer of water heaters. The "Resource Center" has lots of helpful information, including product sizing guide, manuals, energy efficiency ratings, and FAQs.

0164 [PDF] 44-page installation manual for Bradford-White through-the-wall gas water heaters.

0165 [JPG] How to determine manufacture date using serial numbers on water heaters from Bradford White and U. S. Water Heaters.

0202 [WMV] A water heater explosion under controlled conditions.
If this happens under controlled conditions, imagine what can happen when the water heater in your house explodes under unexpected conditions. And this was only a 12-gallon electric water heater.

Have your water heater... click to read more

0231 [PDF] Ameri-Vent installation and assembly instructions for Type B gas vents. 14-page document, 573 KB.

0232 [PDF] A. O. Smith water heater instruction manual.
Includes safety warnings, installation and wiring diagrams, mixing valve usage, choosing a location, temperature regulation, leakage checkpoints, repair parts list, troubleshooting guidelines, and warranty information.
18 pages, 342 ... click to read more

0244 [PDF] Bosch tankless water heater installation guide.
25 pages, 1.1 MB

0252 [JPG] Gas vent termination height requirements.
79 KB

0276 [PDF] Combustion safety.
Presentation at the RESNET conference in San Antonio in 2005. Propane, natural gas, combustion air, guidelines, ignition sources, drafting/venting, open and closed combustion appliances, pressure problems, ductwork, and carbon monoxide.
7 pages, 1.1 MB

0278 [PDF] Simpson Dura-Vent Type B gas vent systems catalog, including diagrams of typical installations, product type and specifications, and rules for safe venting.
40-pages, 4.5 MB

0279 [PDF] Instruction manual for residential power direct vent gas water heaters. Manufacturer unknown; seems to be a generic manual, and a very good one at that, especially the warning notices—see the hot water scalding warning on p. 10 and the temperature and pressure relief valve inform... click to read more

0282 [PDF] Energy savers: Tips on saving energy and money at home.
This document comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. The thermograph picture of heat loss from a house (p. 3) is worth, as they say, a thousand words. Has a list of easy low-cost and no-cost tips, discussion about insula... click to read more

0289 [PDF] Annual maintenance of gas appliances recommended.
Routine maintenance of a home’s appliances will ensure they operate with maximum efficiency, correctly, and safely.
4 pages, 420 KB

0295 [PDF] Watts temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valves, Diagrams and technical specifications for Series 1L, 1XL, 10L, and 100XL.
See the warning about testing the TPR valve annually.
2 pages, 242 KB

0296 [PDF] Thermal expansion.
Interesting technical service bulletin from Ruud, a major manufacturer of water heaters.
2 pages, 239 KB

0313 [PDF] Noritz catalog of tankless water heaters, including technical specifications for the various models.
12 pages, 6.4 MB

0352 [PDF] Chemical treatment of water in water heating systems.
1981 research paper.
12 pages, 632 KB

0369 [PDF] The dishwasher exploded.
Pictures and explanation of how a dishwasher can explode.
2 pages, 44 KB

0398 [PDF] Installation instructions for AQUECOIL hydronic heating units.
The AQUECOIL Hydronic Heating Unit is an appliance that operates in conjunction with the air conditioning or heat pump system and a hot water system.
8 pages, 354 KB

0408 [PDF] 52 questions and their answers relating to hot water safety.
16 pages, 103 KB

0448 [PDF] Noritz tankless water heater owner's guide and installation manual, Model N-069M and N-063S.
66 pages, 2.2 MB

0449 [PDF] Noritz tankless water heater owner's guide and installation manual, Model N-084M.
67 pages, 2.1 MB

0450 [PDF] Noritz tankless water heater owner's guide and installation manual, Model N132M.
69 pages, 2.2 MB

0457 [PDF] SETS tankless water heater homeowner manual.
Page 4 is a good discussion of flow rate.
6 pages, 319 KB

0464 [PDF] Polaris high-efficiency space and water heating.
Woven metal burner, forced air hydronic heat, radiant hydronic heat.
6 pages, 514 KB

0480 [PDF] Rheem installation instructions and use and care manual for gas residential water heaters. 60-, 75-, and 100-gallon models.
28 pages, 1.1 MB

0527 [PDF] To be safe, vent by the rules.
Properly venting space and water heating equipment. Appliance category definitions (Category I, Category II, Category III, Category IV).
2 pages, 303 KB

0534 [PDF] Water heater serial number decoder.
How to determine who manufactured your water heater (brand names are not always manufacturer names) and using the serial number to determine how old it is.
2 pages, 91 KB

0535 [PDF] Instruction manual for residential gas water heaters.
Manufacturer unknown. Corporate Combustion Containment (C3) technology.
Lots of good warnings that apply to all water heaters. Water temperature scalding, fire hazards, explosion hazard, carbon monoxide, combustion air and v... click to read more

0536 [PDF] Natural gas water heaters.
Includes a chart for determining estimated annual operating cost for a natural gas water heater.
2 pages, 76 KB

0543 [PDF] What's the big deal about tankless water heaters.
Discusses energy savings, size, installation, life expectancy, and unlimited hot water supply.
5 pages, 113 KB

0549 [PDF] Installation instructions for Watts 210 valves at water heaters.
Note at top of page 2 is useful for home inspectors and indicates that a separate pressure relief valve is required in conjunction with the 210 valve.