Common HVAC Questions

I Am Not Getting Enough Hot Water:

  • Check the thermostat setting.  It may be set too low. 
  • Check for leaking faucets. There could be a dip tube problem. If the dip tube has broken or fallen off, incoming cold water will be drawn out through the hot water outlet without being heated. You really shouldn't try checking this yourself.  Call for service.
  • Other possible causes are clogged burners and low gas pressure, which also require aservice call.

My Hot Water Recovery is Too Slow:

  • Sediment buildup in bottom of heater, flushing the water heater may help.
  • Other possible causes may be insufficient combustion air caused by insufficient ventilation, or improper burner operation.

I See Water Dripping from the TP/Relief Valve:

  • The relief valve will open if either the water temperature is too high or if the pressure gets too high. 
  • If the inlet to the water heater is fed directly from the water main with no pressure relief valves or check valves between them, then when the water is heated and it expands, the extra volume of water simply flows back toward the water main.  If however there is a blockage such as a check valve or pressure reducing valve with a defective bypass then the increase in water volume has no where to go and the pressure with increase dramatically.  Placing an expansion tank in the line at the inlet will give the increased volume of water someplace to go and prevent the relief valve from opening.
  • Another possibility is that the City water pressure has increased above the setting of the relief valve.  Again the installation of an expansion tank can help solve this problem, at least with a minor to moderate increase in city pressure. A significant pressure increase will still cause the relief valve to open.

My Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit:

  • Sometimes a draft will blow the pilot light out. Make sure the burner access covers are in place.
  • Other possible causes are dirt in the gas line, loose thermocouple connections, or a defective thermocouple.

I Hear a Banging Noise:

  • Scale can build up in the bottom of the tank causing noises to occur while the water heater is heating water. Try flushing the tank.

My Hot Water Smells:

  • Certain types of bacteria can react with the magnesium anode rod resulting in a rotten egg odor. Clean the tank using chlorine bleach or changing the anode rod to aluminum usually will solve the problem.

My Tank is Leaking:

  • All tanks eventually leak. No fix for this. Replace the water heater.