Insulation blankets

[Russel Ray]

Thought I would revive the discussion for this year about insulation blankets on water heaters.

The Clients on one of yesterday's inspections faxed me the previous home inspection report while I was out this morning, and I just finished reading it.

The home inspector (had never heard of him, and he's not listed in any of my yellow pages, so he must be a newbie, not that that is bad, you understand) used what looked like a fancy computer-generated checklist report. The computer checklist has this item:

Water heater
Insulation blanket __ yes __ no __ not present __ missing _damaged

He had checked "missing."

My questions would be:

1 - What is the difference between "not present" and "missing" (Jeff Pope instructed me on the two a couple of years ago).

2 - In this case, because the home inspector had checked "missing," the sellers had gone out and paid $279.88 for an insulation blanket and labor to install it.

In my report, though, I recommended removing the insulation blanket and stated why. What do you think I said?

And lastly, what is your own opinion of insulation blankets, and do you recommend them for your Clients?

[Dale Duffy]

I don't recommend them, I also think manufacturers void the warranty if installed.

They are pretty worthless IMHO.

[Dale Duffy]

I just turned my Water Heater back on, it's been off since May.

My garage stays pretty much a constant 95 degrees late spring, summer, and early fall.....

Until winter arrives, when it averages 70.....

[Jeffrey D. Clark]

Their usefulness depends on the ambient temperature of the space the water heater is in. They would be pretty useless in Az. but in Minnesota in someones garage, probably a good idea.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jclark1

Their usefulness depends on the ambient temperature of the space the water heater is in. They would be pretty useless in Az. but in Minnesota in someones garage, probably a good idea.

I'm not a water heater blanket specialist by any stretch of the imagination, but I think I have read from manufactures, they are worthless, since it is not possible to insulate something more than what is already considered enough....

But than again I could be wrong, like you said James, they ain't a hot item here.....

I wonder if a blanket would help keep the water cool in the water heater when it's off?.....

That would be nice!

[Darrell B. Hadler]

I'd agree with Dale...pretty much useless. It's definately not "missing" as thay are not present when purchased, so "not present" would likely be more suitable. I wouldn't even mention them in any case. I would also agree that they may even void warranties, but I have not contacted any manufacturing co.s to confirm this.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Here's AO Smith's take on it: http://www.hotwater.com/lit/im/media...184551-000.pdf . See middle of page 1. Doesn't say it voids the warranty but it does say to install it to their specifications.

[David C. Macy]

If I was the client in this situation I would be upset that a home inspector reports a insulation blanket missing and she spends almost $300 on a blanket.

The next inspector states that the cover should be removed. If I was the client I would send a bill to the first inspector for telling her they need a blanket on the water heater.

I personally dont right up blankets & dont recommend them. If there is one present I tell my client that I cant inspect the tank & cant read the data to determine specifications.

I think it is personal preference on installing a blanket. I think they are a poor investment but my cousin who is a repitable plumber has one and recommends them.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I peeled one back on a water heater in a crawl space this past summer and was warmly greeted by a 6 foot long black snake.

I'm very much against insulating blankets!

[Darrell B. Hadler]

5 bucks says Joe burnt that pair of under-shorts

[hmiller]

"2 - In this case, because the home inspector had checked "missing," the sellers had gone out and paid $279.88 for an insulation blanket and labor to install it."

$279? How ridiculus is that? Somebody saw them coming.
Anyway it doesn't need it, but it doesn't hurt if installed correctly.

[rwand1]

I have a insulative blanket on my 60 gallon electric tank and can tell you it keeps heat in. Remember the thicker the insulation the more insulative value it has. In northern climates the blanket will help conserve heat and save electricity. When I put my hand in between the jacket and the tank it is definetly warm. Heat that would otherwise escape. I have also put an electric timer on my tank so that is only on for 2 hours twice a day for a total of 4 hours. Never short of hot water.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by hmiller

"2 - In this case, because the home inspector had checked "missing," the sellers had gone out and paid $279.88 for an insulation blanket and labor to install it."

$279? How ridiculus is that? Somebody saw them coming.

It's in line with the cost of blankets and labor in my area. Three years ago it was an even $250. Inflation under the King, I guess.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dduffy

I also think manufacturers void the warranty if installed.

When I did research on the subject about five years ago, I found several of the major brands that did, in fact, void the warranty because the safety and operational information was obscured. Exceptions were when the installers removed the information labels and reapplied them to the exterior of the insulation blanket. That, however, would cause other problems if the insulation blanket were ever permanently removed, meaning that now the information labels were not on the water heater itself. What is one to do?

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jclark1

Their usefulness depends on the ambient temperature of the space the water heater is in. They would be pretty useless in Az. but in Minnesota in someones garage, probably a good idea.

However, one of my Clients a few months ago asked me what R-36 meant. I said that it was an indication of the insulative value and that R-36 was quite good. Then I asked her why she was considering adding more insulation to the attic. She said that she wasn't, that she was researching water heaters and found that hers was a double-walled water heater with insulation of R-36 between the two walls. I believe that most, if not all, modern water heaters are double-walled with insulation between the two walls, so would an additional one inch insulation blanket on the exterior of the water heater result in significant savings? At $279.88, I think the return on investment might take longer than the life expectancy of the water heater.