I hope you guys can help me again. We have a 75 gallon apollo gas water heater with a power vent (sorry if I'm not using the correct terminology). The water heater is originial to the unit, so about 9+ years old. The water heater is in a closet on the balcony. Also, we have a Aquatherm heating/cooling system so it uses the hot water to provide heat in the winter. We just bought this condo in October and of course, during the home inspection, everything was a okay. I had a couple of issues and questions before I call a plumber...
(1) from time to time, the blower will not cycle off even though there is no hot water being drawn from the hot water heater. For instance, the heat cycled on and shotly thereafter, the hot water heater cycled on. I turned off the furnance after 20 minutes, yet the the hot water heater continued to run. I understand that the water heater needs to replenish the water to replenish what we just used, but normally it stays on for about 10-15 minutes and then cycles off. Tonight, after 45 minutes it was still running, so I went out and turned off the blower via a toggle switch. Other times, while the blower is running, I have tried to remove the cover that covers the control panels to see if the burner is still on, but this causes the blower to stop running. So, any idea what is going on...
(2) I just noticed tonight, for the first time, some dripping from a pipe that goes from the main water line to the water heater. I am not sure it is condensation or a leak. Is this a sign that the water heater needs to be replaced, or something simple as replacing the leaking pipe.
(3) I know we need to probably replace the water heater shortly, but I was wondering is it possible to convert the current system to a direct vent system. The reason I ask is that I've been told a power vent is much more expensive to replace. One quote I got was $5,000+ . Plus, in the event of a power outage, we will not be able to get hot water because the vent runs on electricity. I know that should probably be the least of my concerns, but just one that I have.
(4) lastly, is there any harm in turning off the blower to the water heater if I am going to be gone for long periods of time, ie on vacation, so the water heater does not cycle on and possibly not cycle off while I am away.
Once again, thank you in advance. If there is any more information I can supply, please let me know.
(1) from time to time, the blower will not cycle off even though there is no hot water being drawn from the hot water heater. For instance, the heat cycled on and shotly thereafter, the hot water heater cycled on. I turned off the furnance after 20 minutes, yet the the hot water heater continued to run. I understand that the water heater needs to replenish the water to replenish what we just used, but normally it stays on for about 10-15 minutes and then cycles off. Tonight, after 45 minutes it was still running, so I went out and turned off the blower via a toggle switch. Other times, while the blower is running, I have tried to remove the cover that covers the control panels to see if the burner is still on, but this causes the blower to stop running. So, any idea what is going on...
(2) I just noticed tonight, for the first time, some dripping from a pipe that goes from the main water line to the water heater. I am not sure it is condensation or a leak. Is this a sign that the water heater needs to be replaced, or something simple as replacing the leaking pipe.
(3) I know we need to probably replace the water heater shortly, but I was wondering is it possible to convert the current system to a direct vent system. The reason I ask is that I've been told a power vent is much more expensive to replace. One quote I got was $5,000+ . Plus, in the event of a power outage, we will not be able to get hot water because the vent runs on electricity. I know that should probably be the least of my concerns, but just one that I have.
(4) lastly, is there any harm in turning off the blower to the water heater if I am going to be gone for long periods of time, ie on vacation, so the water heater does not cycle on and possibly not cycle off while I am away.
Once again, thank you in advance. If there is any more information I can supply, please let me know.
Last edited: