Don't get burned
(Part 2 of 2)
Knowing about all the changes in water heater technology
can protect your family and home!
Winnipeg, Manitoba - Brian Baker of Custom Vac
Limited was preparing for the most significant change coming to
residential water heaters since his career began, (FVIR) Flammable
Vapour Ignition Resistant technology on water heaters.
Since July 1, 2004 Manufacturers no longer produce the well-known
standard combustion water heater (gas, propane, fuel-oil) that
we know. Baker says, "Homeowners and building owners can now be
assured that vapour from products like paints, solvents or gasoline,
which in many cases are stored near the water heater, will not
ignite due to their vapour being drawn into the combustion chamber
of the water heater." This standard will not include power vented
water heaters until January 2005; all other residential water
heaters will have to comply by July, 2005.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that
the ignition flammable household substances by water heaters accounts
for almost 2,000 fires annually. According to 2002 figures from
the Office of the Fire Marshall in Ontario, 37 fires in that Province
were attributed to water heaters, causing six injuries and approximately
$700,000.00 in damages.
This development of the technology resulted from a water heater
consortium that worked to consider a number of possible solutions
to make water heaters safer. This group formed a consensus around
three principle technologies:
- A one-way, intake system to control the movement of makeup
air into the combustion chamber
- A flame arrestor plate, the single biggest component change
in the FVIR designs; and
- A sealed burner access door and burner assembly, to create a sealed junction with the combustion chamber, preventing combustion air and flammable vapors from entering the chamber through the front of the water heater.
"Even though the consortium
worked cooperatively to develop the new FVIR technology each Manufacturer
approached the application differently, as such, each has designed
their own individual solution. This means that there will be a
wide variety of unique designs some of which may require annual
maintenance just like your furnace," said Baker. It is important
that consumers recognize that while water heaters have always
required maintenance many homeowners neglect their water heaters.
A term that you will likely hear a lot about is the management
of (LDO) lint, dust and oil. The fact that water heaters are subject
to the entrainment of these particulate into the combustion zone
means that each manufacturer had to come up with a way in which
to manage the accumulation of LDO. Consumers will have to educate
themselves before making that snap decision when their water heater
requires replacement otherwise they may find themselves at the
mercy of someone who does not fully understand this new technology.
"Manufacturers will begin Contractor training programs very soon
and consumers should ask if their technicians have been trained
on the new FVIR technology and products," said Baker.
As with any new product, some people stock up in an attempt to
beat prices by offering a lesser quality product while others
pick up the new product and hit the road running. "Consumers will
have many choices to make such as if they have a water heater
leak in warranty, they may want to upgrade to the new water heater
for an additional cost," said Baker. Consumers need to remember
that price is not everything; energy-efficiency, safety, durability,
reliability and the energy source itself are just a few things
that need to be considered.
You walk into the basement stairs or front door, what do you see
but water, water everywhere. If you live on the main floor of
a condo you may get a bigger surprise, a waterfall in your living
room. Baker can state with 100% certainty, "Your water heater
will eventually fail and leak"! Most water heaters fail within
7-10 years even with annual maintenance and due diligence by either
the homeowner or service technician. "That's about 5 million tank
failures every year," said Baker. Without a WAGS safety valve, a leaking tank keeps refilling and leaking. The WAGS valve technology
prevents disastrous floods and untold damage to your property.
"WAGS stands for Water and Gas Safety and was specifically designed
to shut off the water supply (plus gas supply for gas-fired heaters)
in the event of a water leak from a hot water heater, thus minimizing
water damage and possible gas leakage," said Baker. The valve
can be installed on all styles of water heaters, is fully mechanical,
requires no external power supply, and cannot be accidentally
triggered, making it an effective and easy add-on.
Homeowners, Condominium Associations, or Apartment Owners all
need to take a close to look at the benefits of protecting themselves
and/or their occupants from the unnecessary flooding due to a
failed water heater. Baker reports that water heaters located
above main floors are becoming commonplace as buildings are being
converted to self-contained apartments and condominiums. If a
water heater is located on or above the main floor or located
in an area not served by a properly connected floor drain were
to leak, thousands of dollars in damage would likely result.
Baker stresses that it's not just the leaking water that we need
to be concerned with. Water damage can lead to more serious issues
such as poor indoor air quality. If water is not properly and
quickly contained and/or removed, furnishings, wallboard, insulation
materials, wood, carpets, etc can all become breading grounds
for mould. Once established, mould is very expensive and difficult
to remove. Each year thousands of dollars in insurance claims
are filed. The net result is lost time, out of pocket expenses
and the hassle every time a water heater fails.
Mobile homes are another huge market segment that is well suited
for the WAGS valve. Today with improved building standards they
are well insulated. Once moisture gets into the insulation beneath
the floor the fix is anything but inexpensive. In addition, homes
above crawl spaces typically have no way to effectively deal with
water once it leaks in. "Many times complaints about odors from
the furnace, sickness, headaches, etc. are traced back to an event
such as a leaking water heater," said Baker.
"You need to look at your home or building and consider the damage
that could be done," said Baker. Another suggestion is to pull
the costs out of your file from the last water damage claim you
made. He'll bet that the damage claim, repair, out of pocket expenses
and hassle, well exceeded 40% of the cost of the water heater.
In fact, an average homeowners claim for water damage today exceeds
$5000.00. The WAGS water and gas safety valve is so good the Manufacturer
backs each valve with a $1000.00 policy against water damage.
There are many new products designed to improve and/or protect
our homes. The WAGS, water and gas safety valve can be installed
for about 40% of the cost of an installed water heater. When you
consider the cost of clean up and the protection that WAGS offers.
Is it "Good Value"... you decide.
