August 17, 2009

            Dear Ken:   Is there any real value in purchasing a hot water heater blanket?  The outside of the water heater always feels cool to me.                                    Doris

            Believe me there is heat loss anyway.  Try this:  Buy an insulating blanket at the hardware store.  They are usually a fiberglass batt wrapped in heavy plastic and cost around $15.  Use the sticky tape included to hold it in place, then give the system 24 hours to stabilize.  After that, stick your arm between the wrap and the water heater tank.   You'll be surprised how warm it will feel, as the insulation retards heat transfer out into the room.

            Some say that, since the water heater is in the same room temperature space as the furnace, why worry about it.  But water is harder to heat than air, so, by cutting down that radiation, you'll shave, say, 10% off the gas bill.  And, since the water heater is a year round appliance, the savings will add up quickly.   This is doubly true for water heaters in crawl spaces, in manufactured home exterior compartments and all electric water heaters.

            Finally, the blanket is so cheap relative to its energy saving effectiveness, that you'll pay for it in a very short period of time, and then start saving real money.  That's not always true for so-called green investments;  that's why it's so important to do the math first.

            Dear Ken:   A furnace guy came out and said that my mom's furnace needs replacement.  Should we believe him?  Or get another opinion?                          Allen

            It depends on your relationship history.  If this is a company you know and trust, then you could start gathering bids for the new one;  please, don't just hand them the job without getting at least two more estimates.

            But I'm skeptical enough that I would ask him to show you what he's worried about.  A crack or hole in the heat exchanger?  Carbon monoxide in the air stream?  Or juts that it would be a good idea because of the age of the unit.  Your mother could also ask the gas supplier for a second opinion.

            If he said the furnace shouldn't be used until it's replaced, then why didn't he have the city red tag it to relieve his liability in case someone is injured?  If that's not the case, then you have plenty of time to sort this all out.  Remember, you'll have to amortize the cost of the new unit-maybe $2000 or so-by applying the monthly savings in gas, say, 30%, over many years.  If you do the math, you'll find that the new furnace will take 10 years or more before you start saving any real money (see the first answer, above).

            Dear Ken:    Do you cover your air conditioning compressor outdoors?    Glen

            I do.  Of course, I'm pretty anal about these issues, but I think there are marginal benefits in buying and using an A/C shroud.  The unit will stay prettier and shinier longer, and will rust and corrode less quickly.  You'll also keep out the leaves, pine needles and tree sap.  I can't prove it, but I'll bet you'll get another year or two out of  the unit by covering it.   You can buy an inexpensive plastic cover with an elastic cord for around $15.  If you want a fancier one or a custom size, try www.accovers.com.

            Dear Ken:  How can I get a hard water ring out of my toilet?        Harry

            Use an oxalic-based product, like Barkeeper's Friend , Zud, or a product you'll find on the web called Watkins Toilet Bowl Cleaner.   After the product soaks for awhile, use one of those green plastic kitchen scrubbers on the ring, but GENTLY.  Also, you could try a pumice stone available at a drug or department store.  It's a slightly abrasive (volcanic in origin) "rock" that will really get the job done.