American Standard 40 G Natural Gas Water Heater Logo
Posted on Jul 28, 2011

Had three 50-gal American Standard water heaters installed Dec. 2009 Two upstairs in attic, one downstairs at ground level. Attic location used because heaters being replaced were up there. Upstairs units are both Mod. GR-50T2-3-6-Nat. Have had continuous problems of pilot lights on upstairs units going o out. Plumbing co. that installed them has had to come out and re- light since I am physically unable to climb into attic, then lay down to see if pilot is lit. Installer said in summer (when all pilot-light trouble was en= countered each year) hot, stagnant air gave signal to unit to shut off pilot light due to insufficient air. Said I would have to provide more ventilitation to keep air moving more in attic during summer. Suggested some kind of electric roof vent fans. This was not mentioned at time of sale/installation; installing company re- fuses to take further responsibilty for solving problem. Attic has extra-high ridge with space enough for a second story, so volume of enclosed air in attic is much larger than normal.

1 Answer

A

Anonymous

Plumber is right.
Problem is not amount of air in attic. Problem is how hot the air is.
Oxygen molecules separate apart in very hot air and pilot light goes out since there is not enough oxygen density to support combustion.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Water-heater-in-attic-800.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Attic-Ventilation-and-Pilot-Outage-in-Gas%20Water-Heaters.pdf

More ventilation is needed.
Plumber is not ventilating expert, and not responsible for attic ventilation that builder failed to install. Plumber should do a survey of location before installation to make sure gasoline vapors are not stored nearby, but summer attic ventilation is gray area until more general-public folks become aware of problem. Hotter summers temperatures will spread that information.

Hire local home center to install roof vents AND soffit vents.
Note: You also need soffit vents.
Remember a vent on the roof is like sucking air out of a coke bottle. The roof vent is no good unless air can also enter the attic from another vent located in the soffit.

Another solution is electric water heater for very hot locations.
Or install solar-assisted water heater.
http://www.hotwater.com/products/residential/cirrex_solar.html

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