This Tech Tip explains why flue gases condense and how you can differentiate between condensation and leaking.
Symptoms
The water heater appears to be releasing water while the main burner is on or water is found surrounding the heater shortly after the water heater has been used.
Causes
Condensate is the result of airborne water vapor being chilled below the dew point. The dew point is the temperature at which water vapor turns into a liquid. Low incoming water temperatures cool the piping and the heat transfer surfaces of the water heater. When the main burner comes on, the hot flue gases turn into condensate upon contact with these surfaces. The typical home water heater will produce about one-half gallon of water vapor during every hour of operation. Condensate is often mistaken for leaking.
New heaters will condensate more than older heaters because modern water heaters are much more efficient than their predecessors. The newer heaters utilize as much of the energy out of the main burner flame as possible. This lowers the flue gas and tank storage temperature to be closer to the dew point temperature.
Diagnosis
To distinguish between a condensation and a leaking water heater:
- Wipe up any water under the heater.
- Turn the knob on the thermostat to the pilot position.
- Wait 8 hours, check for water accumulation under the heater.
- Condensation should stop when the entire tank water is heated above approximately 115 degrees.
- If no water is under the heater, then it was just condensation.
- If water is under the heater, check further for a loose fitting. If all fittings are tight and the tank is leaking, replace the water heater. Leaking heaters cannot be "repaired".
For more, check out State Industries Technical Bulletin 15.
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