Turning Hot Water Heater On (Gas)
When we turn our hot water heater on w/Propane), it sounds like a small explosion out there. What could be causing this??
Forum Discussion
There are alot of suggestions here and predictions but they seem premature to me.
This all depends on what you mean by "Explosion". It is also important to understand the magnitude of what you are describing. This is all very difficult to judge on this type of communication.
A audible "Whump" is a normal part of the water heater starting up.
The term "Explosion" leads one to believe there is a problem where in fact there may be none.
I suggest you do this: Have the most mechanically inclined of your group, family etc go out side and open the HWH panel. Then have someone inside the unit turn it on. Identify the burner tube and electronic igniter location...this is pretty obvious.
Watch and listen as the unit is turned on. You will hear that "Whump" and you should see the flame at the end of the tube come on. There should not be a big "Flash" of gas igniting but a small and contained ignition. If that is what you see then things are very likely just fine.
My own HWH makes quite a sound when it comes on but actually watching the ignition shows that all is fine.
So before you jump to cleaning burners or getting anxious about a problem that may not exist try my suggestion.
You MAY find some good advice on you tube, but I have also seen some pretty dodgy self appointed experts screwing things up too. So look at several before you judge them to be a solution or the correct way to do something.
This all depends on what you mean by "Explosion". It is also important to understand the magnitude of what you are describing. This is all very difficult to judge on this type of communication.
A audible "Whump" is a normal part of the water heater starting up.
The term "Explosion" leads one to believe there is a problem where in fact there may be none.
I suggest you do this: Have the most mechanically inclined of your group, family etc go out side and open the HWH panel. Then have someone inside the unit turn it on. Identify the burner tube and electronic igniter location...this is pretty obvious.
Watch and listen as the unit is turned on. You will hear that "Whump" and you should see the flame at the end of the tube come on. There should not be a big "Flash" of gas igniting but a small and contained ignition. If that is what you see then things are very likely just fine.
My own HWH makes quite a sound when it comes on but actually watching the ignition shows that all is fine.
So before you jump to cleaning burners or getting anxious about a problem that may not exist try my suggestion.
You MAY find some good advice on you tube, but I have also seen some pretty dodgy self appointed experts screwing things up too. So look at several before you judge them to be a solution or the correct way to do something.
