Water Heating Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve got a water heater question regarding any of our Ruud reliable water heating products then you’re in the right spot. Of course, if you don’t find an answer to your question below then please feel free to reach out to us via our contact page, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We also have a comprehensive frequently asked questions page dedicated entirely to our tankless water heaters if your question deals specifically with tankless. Thank you for choosing Ruud, and enjoy your hot water!
- What is FVIR?
It means Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant. An ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard went into effect in July 2003 that will prevent a water heater from igniting flammable vapors outside the combustion chamber. This helps to protect homes. - Are all FVIR water heaters the same?
No, they are not. The consortium of manufactures agreed on flame arrestor plate technology to create the new generation of FVIR water heaters. Early in the development, Ruud researchers at their Montgomery labs discovered that flame arrestor plate designs might be vulnerable to the effects of lint, dust and oil – LDO. Ruud urged the ANSI standards be reviewed. As a result, the ANSI standard now includes testing for reliability in LDO environments. Throughout development,Ruud engineers have been highly attentive to the role LDO robustness will play on product reliability and consumer satisfaction. - What is the Heat Pump Water Heater all about?
The HPWH has a 10-year tank leak warranty and a 10-year parts warranty. It also has a first year in-home labor warranty. This water heater uses heat pump technology to achieve a 2.0 efficiency rating. (Residential gas is approximately 0.62; and residential electric is approximately 0.92). The HPWH is also Energy Star Compliant and may provide you with tax savings. - How can I determine which water heater is right for me?
Choosing a water heater is based on your family size and how much hot water you will use in one continuous hour. We call it Peak Hour Demand. See technical bulletin #1204 Sizing a Water Heater and technical bulletin # 1226 How to Choose and Purchase a Water Heater. - I need to vent my gas water heater several feet away from an outside wall. Which product is best for me?
There are a couple of products that may work in your application. The Power Direct Vent is a seal combustion, direct vent water heater that may be installed up to 60 feet away from the homes outside wall. We also have a standing pilot Direct Vent that will vent up to 4 feet from the outside wall. - Do you make water heaters designed for commercial applications?
Yes we do. We have a full line of standing pilot, intermittent spark, direct vent, sealed combustion and high efficiency commercial water heaters. Our Xtreme models will provide up to 756 gallons of hot water in an hour; and recover the tank contents in as little as 8 minutes! You can select from an electric model or gas model. - How can I find a local installer of Ruud Water Heaters?
We have a special application to help you. Just click here and use the Find a Plumber application by entering your zip code. - Is there an upgrade to your normal tank leak warranty?
Yes there is. We have a kit called the ProtectionPlus Kit. During the installation of your new water heater, you can add this kit and receive an additional four year tank leak warranty. This kit will fit most Ruud residential gas and electric water heaters.
