Does it cause any problems to put a block of insulating foam under a 50-gallon water heater before installing it? If not, what density is required?
In the Seattle area, we install electric water heaters on foam pads.
We buy them from the supplier that supplies the water heaters.
At least ten years.
It prevents the tank from rusting on the bottom too.
If you have ever slept on snow, and used a closed cell sleeping pad, you would know how it works.
Terry, is that Mt. Baker off in the distance of the lower image?
Looks like this is an OK idea for electric and maybe sealed combustion gas too. But I'd still like to know what the compressive strength of the foam should be.
The feet of the tank should be carrying the weight, not the foam, so the compressive strength is irrelevant.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but in order for the feet to carry the weight, that force has to be distributed over the surface of any foam beneath (such as by sitting on a plate or pan.) Otherwise the feet will just cut through the foam. Are the electrics actually on feet keeping them off the ground? (Or perhaps just button sized nubs?) I haven't examined them closely in recent years.
The feet have to extend to something structural, not resting on foam.
This is awkward, but...
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