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Author:
zotmeister (NJ)
I got a new electric water heater and have hot water (thermostat set to 120 degrees and the water feels like that temperature). I may be sounding a little paranoid but I do not remember my plumber turning on the hot water faucet to let the air out and waiting for water to come out before switching the heater on. What are the signs that the heater might have been dry fired? Is there any other way to tell except for testing with a continuity tester after removing the thermostat cover? I read some posts that mention there'd be a smell. Is that always the case? I am just thinking that given the water pressure is about 65 psi and the air pressure is about 15 psi, an 80 gallon tank filled with air would fill with around 63 gallons of water even if the hot water faucet was not opened to let the air out. And therefore both the heating elements would still be immersed under water.
I appreciate your help.
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
If it were dry fired you would have no hot water at all. The air in the tank was compressed to 65 PSI or whatever your incoming water pressure is. He may have bled the air thru the T + P relief valve.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
I bleed the air out by using the T&P valve so you would NOT know that I did it. If you have hot water, the heater was NOT damaged.
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