what can i set my water heater on to raise it off the floor
Gas water heaters can sit directly on the floor if they are FVIR(combustible vapor ignition-resistant). All gas 30, 40, and 50-gallon water heaters sold to the North American market afterward 2005 must comply with ANSI Z21.10.1a-2002 standards and are FVIR.
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet well-nigh this topic. This is likely because most of the articles are outdated and people merely repeat what they heard from someone else. Let's clear it up in one case and for all whether a h2o heater can be placed directly on the floor or not.
All electric h2o heaters tin be placed straight on the flooring.
The reason why people still recollect it is necessary to elevate the water heaters is that gas h2o heaters without FVIR were a serious fire hazard when placed straight on the floor. In fact it was required to elevate them 18 inches from the basis.
This is no longer relevant for FVIR certified gas water heaters, merely some homeowners and dwelling inspectors still asking the h2o heater to be off the footing. Even though in that location is no practical need for information technology.
Why Were H2o Heaters Elevated In The Past?
Gas water heaters without FVIR were required to be 18 inches off the ground. Measured from the airplane pilot light to the ground. This was to prevent accidental ignition of spilled combustible liquids such as gasoline, thinner, paint, etc.
Again, there is a lot of misinformation nearly this on the cyberspace. Some say that the gas itself volition explode some say it volition rust and then explode, simply in reality, information technology was spilled combustible liquids that were ignited by the pilot calorie-free.
Many homeowners place their water heater in a garage. It is very likely that gasoline or pigment thinner or something else flammable is stored in a garage.
An open chamber water heater(non-FVIR) that sits directly on the flooring will hands ignite whatsoever spilled gasoline vapors and this is the reason why it is so dangerous.
That's why it was required to elevate the gas water heater at least 18 inches from the ignition point.
If y'all are unsure if your gas water heater is FVIR by all means install it eighteen inches off the ground.
Are All Gas Water Heaters FVIR?
All 30, 40, and 50-gallon gas water heaters sold in North America after 2005 are FVIR(flammable vapor ignition-resistant). They must comply with ANSI Z21.x.1a-2002 standards, co-ordinate to that, the fumes from spilled liquids can't be ignited past the pilot lite.
Smaller than thirty gallon gas h2o heaters are not required to be FVIR, I have non found out the reasoning behind this. They nevertheless need to exist elevated at least eighteen-inches measured from the airplane pilot light.
The same goes for tankless/instant gas water heaters.
The easiest and almost reliable way to check if your h2o heater is FVIR is to check the owner's manual. Google product code + manual.
Some manufacturers crave their water heaters to exist elevated even if they are FVIR. This tin be to achieve the certified energy rating, or for inspection purposes.
If y'all visually see the pilot light or are able to light the pilot with a lucifer, then you do non have an FVIR water heater and it must be elevated at least xviii inches.
Do FVIR Water Heaters Need to Be Elevated
A gas water heater that is FVIR (flammable vapor ignition-resistant) does not need to be elevated, since there is no risk of igniting spilled liquids.
Always consult your product manual and building codes before installation, as there tin be model-specific reasons why it must be elevated.
Is At that place Whatsoever Other Reason To Elevate A H2o Heater?
Even though information technology is non required to elevate a FVIR gas h2o heater, there are some advantages to doing so, especially in a basement.
Every bit we accept already covered, new h2o heaters do non pose a burn risk when placed directly on the flooring, but there are still a couple of reasons why it might exist a adept idea to lift it off the footing Using a water heater stand (Amazon link)
Inspection
It is impossible to inspect the bottom of the water heater if it is sitting straight on the floor. This might seem irrelevant at present, when the h2o heater is new.
Still, information technology is beneficial to accept visual access to the bottom for yearly inspection. This tin can aid spot any problems before they get out of hand.
A h2o heater stand makes inspection very easy and in the same time protects your expensive investment from flooding and rust.
Flooding
Water heaters are frequently placed in basements or garages. In instance of a alluvion having the water heater off the ground gives you lot time to pump out the floodwater earlier any damage occurs.
When placing a water heater in a clamber infinite it is vital that it is lifted off the dirt or gravel.
Acquire more than nigh installing a water heater in a crawl infinite.
Related commodity: Pros and Cons of a Basement Garage
Draining
It is easier to drain the water heater if it is higher off the ground, particularly if the drain valve is plugged and must exist cleaned earlier the water heater can be drained. Sometimes information technology is difficult to empty the h2o heater completely when it is directly on the floor.
It is the terminal of the h2o that contains the most contaminants, that you want to remove.
Energy savings
The logic is that the cold physical slab will blot some of the heat from the water heater. Therefore you would spend some of the energy on heating the slab.
While this might have been a problem in the past, when the water heaters were very poorly insulated; modern water heaters are insulated so well to comply with energy efficiency regulations that they lose very petty heat.
There can be some marginal energy savings past lifting the water heater off a concrete floor. Merely in my opinion, the savings are so modest, that it's not worth the endeavor.
Information technology's not worth doing information technology only for the free energy savings. Notwithstanding, if your basement/garage floor is often clammy and there is a risk of flooding and you volition purchase a water heater stand anyway; the small free energy savings volition be a bonus.
Regardless of whether your water heater is elevated or sitting on the floor, it will need to exist strapped in accord with the IRC. Y'all can learn more than in my commodity on Exercise Electric Water Heaters Need to Be Strapped?
Tin Electrical Water Heater Sit on Concrete Floor?
Electric water heaters tin can sit down directly on the concrete flooring. At that place is no hazard of accidental ignition of spilled flammable liquids with electric water heaters. They do not have pilot lights as do their gas counterparts.
Electric water heaters never take been required by building codes to exist on a stand or lifted upward. The only reason why yous would want to have them off the ground is to save energy or protect the h2o heater from flooding/rust impairment.
Tin You Put Water Heater on Bricks?
One layer of bricks can be used to lift the water heater off the ground. This tin can help protect the h2o heater from wet if the flooring that it is sitting on is known to be wet from time to time.
Information technology is important to not stack the bricks on top of each other. Multiple layers of loose bricks will not make a sturdy base for the water heater. When someone or something hits the h2o heater, it could tip over and cause a lot of impairment.
This is especially important in regions where earthquakes are common.
As yous know anon-FVIR(flammable vapor ignition resistant) gas water heater must be elevated xviii inches measured from the pilot light. NEVER should this be attempted with bricks. The xviii-inch loose brick cavalcade will be so unstable that the slightest movement will tip over the water heater.
Instead, invest in a quality water heater stand instead.
Conclusion
The vast bulk of the gas water heaters sold today are FVIR(flammable vapor ignition resistant) and are non required to exist elevated. There are exceptions to this so be sure to cheque your possessor's manual before installation.
Electrical water heaters can always be placed direct on the floor.
There are some valid reasons why one might want to still use a water heater stand, fifty-fifty though non required by lawmaking. They are energy savings, flood protection, and minimizing rust.
Hope you lot got a articulate overview of the topic.
Source: https://hvac-buzz.com/water-heater-floor/