Comments on: Convert your gas hot water tank to electric http://www.iwilltry.org/b Climate change is real. You're causing it. You can stop it. Will you try? Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:29:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jack http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6041 Jack Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:24:53 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6041 Hi Rob...update to my project. The burning was likely caused by the electrical tape I used. I went ahead and inserted the unit in my tank and it's been working now perfectly for 5 hours! I turned on my water and presto! It's hot!! Rob, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share this creative genius with me and the world. Kudos to you! Hi Rob…update to my project. The burning was likely caused by the electrical tape I used. I went ahead and inserted the unit in my tank and it’s been working now perfectly for 5 hours! I turned on my water and presto! It’s hot!! Rob, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to share this creative genius with me and the world. Kudos to you!

]]> By: Rob http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6040 Rob Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:19:05 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6040 Hi Jack, If you're not tripping any breakers, then it's unlikely there is a short circuit so you could just plug it in for a while in a well ventilated area (place it on a metal tray or hang it from something) and see what starts smoking. That will be the quickest way to find out what's wrong. Good luck. Hi Jack,
If you’re not tripping any breakers, then it’s unlikely there is a short circuit so you could just plug it in for a while in a well ventilated area (place it on a metal tray or hang it from something) and see what starts smoking. That will be the quickest way to find out what’s wrong.
Good luck.

]]> By: Jack http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6038 Jack Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:40:58 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6038 Upon further testing the coil outside the tank, I did smell burning again. I used solid copper 600 volt insulated wire to connect at the terminals and wrapped with layered electrical tape. I then connected the copper wires to an extension cord. Did I do something wrong that could cause this burning? Thank you again! Upon further testing the coil outside the tank, I did smell burning again. I used solid copper 600 volt insulated wire to connect at the terminals and wrapped with layered electrical tape. I then connected the copper wires to an extension cord. Did I do something wrong that could cause this burning? Thank you again!

]]> By: Jack http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6037 Jack Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:26:30 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6037 Thanks Rob--I was actually able to remove the ring with a crow bar and some gentle force. I dropped the coil inside and plugged it in. I waited a few moments then noticed a little smoke then unplugged it and pulled it out. I smelled a little burning. Any idea what this could be? The wires are high heat quality and everything is taped up beautifully. Nothing appeared burned when I pulled out the coil. Thanks Rob–I was actually able to remove the ring with a crow bar and some gentle force. I dropped the coil inside and plugged it in. I waited a few moments then noticed a little smoke then unplugged it and pulled it out. I smelled a little burning. Any idea what this could be? The wires are high heat quality and everything is taped up beautifully. Nothing appeared burned when I pulled out the coil.

]]> By: Rob http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6036 Rob Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:29:44 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6036 Hi Jack, I haven't encountered that before. I have converted a few tanks and in all cases the "ridge" was a removable ring. I guess one alternative is to insert the element at the bottom but I assume that is probably equally inaccessible. Sorry I can't help more. If you do find a solution, please post it. Hi Jack,
I haven’t encountered that before. I have converted a few tanks and in all cases the “ridge” was a removable ring. I guess one alternative is to insert the element at the bottom but I assume that is probably equally inaccessible. Sorry I can’t help more. If you do find a solution, please post it.

]]> By: Jack http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6033 Jack Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:14:23 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6033 Great article! Well, I just finished shaping my coil and wiring up my device only to find out that there is a "ridge" at the top of the tube which holds the length of metal in the tube. This "ridge" significantly decrease the diameter of the hole making it very difficult to reshape the coil for it to fit. This is a problem for me. Furthermore, the length of metal hanging from this ridge seems to be permanently attached to it and I don't think there is a way to remove it. Have you experienced this and know of a remedy? Much thanks -- jack Great article! Well, I just finished shaping my coil and wiring up my device only to find out that there is a “ridge” at the top of the tube which holds the length of metal in the tube. This “ridge” significantly decrease the diameter of the hole making it very difficult to reshape the coil for it to fit. This is a problem for me. Furthermore, the length of metal hanging from this ridge seems to be permanently attached to it and I don’t think there is a way to remove it. Have you experienced this and know of a remedy? Much thanks — jack

]]> By: Rob http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6020 Rob Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:43:30 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6020 I doubt it. Most electricians would be capable of doing the job, but they might be unwilling to accept the liability. It would be a very unconventional request. I doubt it. Most electricians would be capable of doing the job, but they might be unwilling to accept the liability. It would be a very unconventional request.

]]> By: E.J. http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6015 E.J. Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:12:14 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6015 Can I hire a local electrician to do a job like this? I like your idea. E.J. Can I hire a local electrician to do a job like this?
I like your idea.
E.J.

]]> By: Clint http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6008 Clint Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:51:46 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6008 P.S. Looking forward to the update! Total cost of conversion O$ Old extension cord and free burner and wire from recycle yard. P.S. Looking forward to the update! Total cost of conversion O$ Old extension cord and free burner and wire from recycle yard.

]]> By: Clint http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-6007 Clint Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:47:19 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-6007 Thank You Rob, I tried this and it worked GREAT! I did use the stove wire inside the unit and a heavier duty extension cord wire for the outside. The gas company can keep their ever increasing convenience charges. I will be using your method. I Will Try your electric heating method this winter. A smaller footprint and less $ for the monopolies. Thank You Again, Clint Thank You Rob,
I tried this and it worked GREAT! I did use the stove wire inside the unit and a heavier duty extension cord wire for the outside. The gas company can keep their ever increasing convenience charges. I will be using your method. I Will Try your electric heating method this winter. A smaller footprint and less $ for the monopolies. Thank You Again, Clint

]]> By: Rob http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5998 Rob Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:09:21 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5998 Hi Todd, You could install the heating element in place of the burner, but it is not an easy job to remove the existing burner and replace it with an electric one. By comparison it is quite an easy job to bend an element to the desired shape and drop it down the center tube, leaving the existing burner in place. It also means you can easily switch back to gas if you decide to. Since writing this article I have installed a programmable thermostat ordinarily used for controlling electric baseboard heaters. Inside the thermostat there is a thermistor (a temperature sensitive resistor) used for measuring the air temperature. Usually the resistance is 10k at 25 degrees C. To get the thermostat to operate in the desired range for a hot water tank, this thermistor needs to be replaced with a different thermistor that has the same resistance (10k in my example) at about 55 degrees C instead of 25 degrees C. The replacement thermistor also needs to be mounted in contact with the hot water tank (under the insulation) and connected to the programmable thermostat by wires. Thermistors are available from Digikey (www.digikey.com) for under $1. You use the programmable thermostat just like you would for a baseboard heater, except the real temperature will be 30 degrees C higher than what the device indicates (ie if you want 55 degree C water, program the thermostat for 25 degrees C). When I have time I'll write an article showing how to do everything I described above (so many projects, so little time). Hi Todd,
You could install the heating element in place of the burner, but it is not an easy job to remove the existing burner and replace it with an electric one. By comparison it is quite an easy job to bend an element to the desired shape and drop it down the center tube, leaving the existing burner in place. It also means you can easily switch back to gas if you decide to. Since writing this article I have installed a programmable thermostat ordinarily used for controlling electric baseboard heaters. Inside the thermostat there is a thermistor (a temperature sensitive resistor) used for measuring the air temperature. Usually the resistance is 10k at 25 degrees C. To get the thermostat to operate in the desired range for a hot water tank, this thermistor needs to be replaced with a different thermistor that has the same resistance (10k in my example) at about 55 degrees C instead of 25 degrees C. The replacement thermistor also needs to be mounted in contact with the hot water tank (under the insulation) and connected to the programmable thermostat by wires. Thermistors are available from Digikey (www.digikey.com) for under $1. You use the programmable thermostat just like you would for a baseboard heater, except the real temperature will be 30 degrees C higher than what the device indicates (ie if you want 55 degree C water, program the thermostat for 25 degrees C). When I have time I’ll write an article showing how to do everything I described above (so many projects, so little time).

]]> By: Todd http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5988 Todd Sat, 12 Jun 2010 07:05:47 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5988 Why wouldn't you simply install the heating element where the burner is? Further how would you go about setting a thermostat? I wonder because i rent my home and I would like to convert without unduly damaging or stressing the existing system Why wouldn’t you simply install the heating element where the burner is? Further how would you go about setting a thermostat? I wonder because i rent my home and I would like to convert without unduly damaging or stressing the existing system

]]> By: alex http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5903 alex Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:57:44 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5903 Hi Rob, Very good article! . Just to complement your article in how to increase efficiency, you can buy second hand electric kettle 1500w for $10, they are 110v. Alex. Hi Rob,

Very good article! . Just to complement your article in how to increase efficiency, you can buy second hand electric kettle 1500w for $10, they are 110v.

Alex.

]]> By: Rob http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5887 Rob Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:17:05 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5887 Hi Nelson, Unfortunately electric water heater elements are designed for immersion. If they are used in air, they will almost certainly overheat (ie self destruct) since they do not have enough surface area to transfer the heat in the absence of water. Water has 24 times higher thermal conductivity than air so it does not require much contact area to transfer a lot of heat. A stove element on the other hand is designed to be operated in air. Even that might overheat in the confined space inside a gas water heater, if not for the fact that I'm operating at only 1/4 of its rated power output (due to operating on 110V AC instead of 220V AC). Good luck with your conversion. Hi Nelson,
Unfortunately electric water heater elements are designed for immersion. If they are used in air, they will almost certainly overheat (ie self destruct) since they do not have enough surface area to transfer the heat in the absence of water. Water has 24 times higher thermal conductivity than air so it does not require much contact area to transfer a lot of heat. A stove element on the other hand is designed to be operated in air. Even that might overheat in the confined space inside a gas water heater, if not for the fact that I’m operating at only 1/4 of its rated power output (due to operating on 110V AC instead of 220V AC). Good luck with your conversion.

]]> By: Nelson http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5885 Nelson Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:56:29 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5885 Rob, Thanks very much for this very informative article. I bought a house in December which has natual gas heating and hotwater heater. Here in the desert of Arizona, very little heating is required, even during the coldest days of winter. Just the two of us, we never use a full tank of hot water each day and the gas furnace seldom comes on, but I'm paying the minimum $12.00 p/month gas bill. Plus, we spend approximately 4 months p/year away from the home, but we still have to pay the minimum gas payment. For the last 3.5 months I've pondered how to convert the gas hotwater heater to electric. Now you have solved my delima. The question I have is: would a common electric water heater element work just as well as the stove top element pictured in your article? Thanks again, and keep up the great work. Nelson R Rob,
Thanks very much for this very informative article.
I bought a house in December which has natual gas heating and hotwater heater. Here in the desert of Arizona, very little heating is required, even during the coldest days of winter. Just the two of us, we never use a full tank of hot water each day and the gas furnace seldom comes on, but I’m paying the minimum $12.00 p/month gas bill. Plus, we spend approximately 4 months p/year away from the home, but we still have to pay the minimum gas payment.
For the last 3.5 months I’ve pondered how to convert the gas hotwater heater to electric. Now you have solved my delima.
The question I have is: would a common electric water heater element work just as well as the stove top element pictured in your article?
Thanks again, and keep up the great work.

Nelson R

]]> By: Don Barthel http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5856 Don Barthel Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:05:28 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5856 Rob: You're my hero today, this website is fabulous, thank you very much. You said: "I posted an article about that project but enough readers expressed concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning that I took it down (a ridiculous concern really since a single pilot flame is unlikely to produce enough carbon monoxide to do any harm, even if exhausted directly into your home)." You are correct. Consider that old gas ranges and stoves had a full time pilot light. In any case, if you have a gas hot water heater you should have a carbon monoxide detector nearby. Rob: You’re my hero today, this website is fabulous, thank you very much.

You said: “I posted an article about that project but enough readers expressed concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning that I took it down (a ridiculous concern really since a single pilot flame is unlikely to produce enough carbon monoxide to do any harm, even if exhausted directly into your home).”

You are correct. Consider that old gas ranges and stoves had a full time pilot light.

In any case, if you have a gas hot water heater you should have a carbon monoxide detector nearby.

]]> By: Rob http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5852 Rob Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:56:58 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5852 Hi Charles, Yes, that is easier, but you're still wsting a lot of heat up the chimney. Before converting my tank to electric I ran it for about a year on just the pilot light and I measured heat loss of around 40% up the chimney. See the section "Why are electric water tanks more efficient than gas ones?" in the article above for more details. If your gas hot water tank is located inside your building envelope, the draft generated by a warm hot water tank also draws warm air from within your home up the chimney resulting in significant heat loss from your home (you probably lose more heat from your home than you put into the tank). To reduce these losses, I tried restricting the air flow through my tank (running on pilot only you don't need much air flow to remove the exhaust). I posted an article about that project but enough readers expressed concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning that I took it down (a ridiculous concern really since a single pilot flame is unlikely to produce enough carbon monoxide to do any harm, even if exhausted directly into your home). One issue I did find when I restricted the air flow was that the exhaust condensed on the inside walls of the hot water tank causing rust. I assume this would have resulted in premature tank failure, but I don't know for certain since I stopped doing that and converted the tank to electric instead (better to get rid of the chimney entirely). Hi Charles,
Yes, that is easier, but you’re still wsting a lot of heat up the chimney. Before converting my tank to electric I ran it for about a year on just the pilot light and I measured heat loss of around 40% up the chimney. See the section “Why are electric water tanks more efficient than gas ones?” in the article above for more details. If your gas hot water tank is located inside your building envelope, the draft generated by a warm hot water tank also draws warm air from within your home up the chimney resulting in significant heat loss from your home (you probably lose more heat from your home than you put into the tank). To reduce these losses, I tried restricting the air flow through my tank (running on pilot only you don’t need much air flow to remove the exhaust). I posted an article about that project but enough readers expressed concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning that I took it down (a ridiculous concern really since a single pilot flame is unlikely to produce enough carbon monoxide to do any harm, even if exhausted directly into your home). One issue I did find when I restricted the air flow was that the exhaust condensed on the inside walls of the hot water tank causing rust. I assume this would have resulted in premature tank failure, but I don’t know for certain since I stopped doing that and converted the tank to electric instead (better to get rid of the chimney entirely).

]]> By: Charles Allen http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5847 Charles Allen Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:40:01 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5847 Try this, it’s easier. After my shower one morning I turned the control on my gas water heater from On to Pilot. This keeps the main burner from running. The next day about an hour before my shower I turned the control back to On - But the burner didn’t light? I’m thinking now that my gas control is messed up, it made no sense, the burner hasn’t run for over 24 hours so I know the tank has to be cold. But it wasn’t, the water was at full temp and the thermostat was keeping the burner off. So I turned the control back to the pilot position and left it there. Every day I have a nice hot shower with water that is being heated only by the pilot flame!! Try this, it’s easier. After my shower one morning I turned the control on my gas water heater from On to Pilot. This keeps the main burner from running. The next day about an hour before my shower I turned the control back to On – But the burner didn’t light?
I’m thinking now that my gas control is messed up, it made no sense, the burner hasn’t run for over 24 hours so I know the tank has to be cold.
But it wasn’t, the water was at full temp and the thermostat was keeping the burner off.
So I turned the control back to the pilot position and left it there. Every day I have a nice hot shower with water that is being heated only by the pilot flame!!

]]> By: Rob http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5842 Rob Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:07:42 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5842 Hi kris, I'm not familiar with propane hot water tanks but I assume they would be virtually identical to natural gas ones with the exception of the burner itself. If so, this technique should work just as well. Hi kris,
I’m not familiar with propane hot water tanks but I assume they would be virtually identical to natural gas ones with the exception of the burner itself. If so, this technique should work just as well.

]]> By: kris granlund http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-hot-water-tank-to-electric/comment-page-1/#comment-5828 kris granlund Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:13:19 +0000 http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/convert-your-gas-water-tank-to-electric/#comment-5828 hello would this work with a propane water tank? hello would this work with a propane water tank?

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