history
This company developed the first automatic gas storage water heater in the late 1800s.
Who is Ruud?
This is the required minimum working pressure rating for a T&P relief valve on a gas water heater.
What is 150 psi?
This component regulates burner activation by monitoring tank temperature.
What is the gas control valve/thermostat?
This measurement determines minimum gas pipe sizing for tankless heaters.
What is BTU input (demand load)?
If a pilot will not stay lit, this component is usually the first to test.
What is the thermocouple?
This decade saw gas water heaters become common in American homes due to safer thermostatic controls.
What are the 1930s?
Texas requires this type of piping material when bonding a gas water heater as part of the electrical system.
What is copper bonding jumper wire?
This safety component opens to release excessive temperature or pressure.
What is the T&P relief valve?
This built-in component modulates burner firing to match water flow.
What is the gas valve or modulating valve?
Gurgling noises at the bottom of the tank usually indicate this common maintenance issue.
What is sediment buildup?
This major safety improvement was introduced to reduce ignition of flammable vapors near gas heaters.
What is FVIR (Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistance)?
According to code, this is the minimum elevation above the floor for ignition sources in a garage unless the heater is FVIR rated.
What is 18 inches?
This long metal tube delivers pilot flame to the main burner during ignition.
What is the pilot assembly or pilot tube?
Texas code requires this for all tankless heaters installed outdoors to protect from freezing.
What is freeze protection or insulation/heater kits?
A yellow, lazy burner flame commonly indicates this combustion problem.
What is insufficient combustion air or a blocked flue?
This fuel type dominated residential water heating before natural gas distribution expanded in the 20th century.
What is coal or solid fuel?
This is the required slope per foot for a Type B gas vent serving a listed gas water heater.
What is 1/4 inch per foot?
This tube equalizes pressure to the burner and prevents flame rollout.
What is the draft hood?
These two maintenance tasks must be performed annually to maintain tankless efficiency in Texas hard-water regions.
What are descaling (vinegar flush) and cleaning inlet screens?
Fluctuating water temperature in a tank model often points to this failing part.
What is the gas control valve/thermostat?
This federal act pushed manufacturers toward higher efficiency standards starting in 2015.
What is NAECA (National Appliance Energy Conservation Act) update?
When installed in an attic, Texas code requires these two access features for water heater serviceability.
What are a solid walkway and 30” × 30” working platform?
This hidden internal component helps reduce sediment disturbance and increases efficiency by directing inlet water flow downward.
What is the dip tube?
This is the required minimum combustion air opening size (in square inches) per 1,000 BTU when using indoor combustion air.
What is 1 square inch per 1,000 BTU?
Excessive condensation dripping from the vent connector is often caused by this installation error.
What is an undersized or improperly sloped vent?