LP Water Heater On NG?

rhinoguy

One of my little old ladies has a water heater (50 gal) that is labeled "use with LP gas only". It's hooked to the natural gas line. Should I do anything, like replace it? The only trouble it seems to have is that the pilot goes out ocassionally. The burner has a nice blue flame, but the pilot is VERY small. Any safety concerns? Local pressure is around five pounds, I think.

thom

LP and NG work on different pressures and have different orifice sizes. They are interchangeable BUT you have to account for the differences. When it was installed that was probably done. If you need to do something with it, find the manual that came with it and verify everything. If you're not sure what you're doing, don't do anything, hire someone who knows.

JamesNLA

Please don't take this personally, but you shouldn't touch it. Please have a professional plumber examine it. Tell your customer "these heaters" can be tricky and have someone who knows what they are doing look at it.

Ron The Plumber

Wrong heater, needs to be repaced with a NG Heater or problem will presist.

rhinoguy

The entire burner and regulator appear to come out as an assembly. Should I just go ahead and replace it as a unit? Looks like about ten screws.
Only slightly related, the lady asked if there is a timer option available for gas water heaters. All I could say is "I don't know, I'll ask the experts". Wouldn't mind one on my own heater.