How to Replace a Gas Water Heater Thermostat

[@simonktmwong8504]

Thanks for the video, managed to replaced mine as well. One thing I learned is that there is teflon tape specifically for gas. 👍🏿

[@mynextprojectglenn]

I did not know that. I wonder what the difference is.

[@davidwinzenried1890]

@@mynextprojectglenn Not sure, i think gas tape is yellow.

[@leonwood5760]

@@davidwinzenried1890 Yes it's yellow and thicker

[@joebrewer5885]

So did replacing the thermostat fix the problem of inconsistent water temperature?

[@mynextprojectglenn]

Yes, it sure did. I’m still using this same water heater that I bought new about 15 years ago.

[@josedelafuente3138]

The original thermostat still had the sleeve on when I removed it. Will there be an issue since I removed it as well like you did??

[@myboatprojectaquaris]

I guess that plastic is durable to heat. I’m surprised one one left it on as I don’t see the benefit and only potential problems.

[@mynextprojectglenn]

I doubt there will be an issue. I can’t imagine the risk Alaric sleeve needs to be there in use. Most likely the sleeve is there to protect the sensor before install.

[@alan6832]

Another video says that the inaccuracy is caused by lime deposits on the interior surfaces of the thermostat insulating the thermostat from the water, and that these can be cleaned off either by removing the thermostat to clean it or perhaps by flushing or chemically de-liming the whole water heater; but old thermostats can also start to slowly leak gas and to look for discoloration near the pilot knob on the outside surfaces for evidence of deposits from slow gas seepage; so that also argues for replacement.

[@davidwinzenried1890]

Did you open the relief valve to help drain the tank?

[@GlennJohnson1]

Yes I did. I thought I mentioned that in the video. Oops.

[@trumptrashends2024]

lol clearly he did not ....at 60 i've worked in enough of the trades (licensed in two ) to no that people should not watch these dangerous home owner clowns they are very dangerous call a pro when it comes to gas and electrical.

[@leonwood5760]

I was always told never use white teflon tape on gas lines as it isn't safe. They do make special teflon tape for gas lines, It's yellow instead of white and thicker. Are the thermostats pretty universal or brand specific?

[@GlennJohnson1]

I have not had any gas leaking and it’s now been about a year since I shot that video. The thermostats are pretty universal. Ensure that the new one looks about the same with the same sized fittings and it should work fine for you. This job was easier than I had expected.

[@leonwood5760]

@@GlennJohnson1 Ok, thank You

[@CraigP-z4t]

@@GlennJohnson1 All PTFE (teflon) tape is designed to seal threads, so making it a year without a leak doesn't necessarily justify using the wrong one. The yellow PTFE tape is specifically used because it also resists being disolved by the gas and its other additives, where the standard PTFE tape will start to disolve over time and will inevitably leak. Just something to look out for. **Also, if you flip open the T&P Valve while draining the water heater it drains a lot faster.**

[@myboatprojectaquaris]

I was not aware there was a different type of teflon take for gas. I will use yellow from now on. However, when I first moved into this house, 18 years ago, I ran a gas line for our dryer and there have been no leaks. I’d say the white is pretty durable. That said, I prefer doing things the right way, so next time I will use yellow.

[@CraigP-z4t]

@@myboatprojectaquaris 18 years without a leak does make a good case for using the white PTFE tape. I guess the point I was trying to make wasn't to make it seem like the white tape wouldn't work, but to just be aware the tape wasn't designed for gas fittings and the leaks take time to develop, so it's easy to assume it's gonna last when the seal starts off strong.

[@geo_eatz4043]

What’s up man do you know why these start to leak gas from around the control unit ? I had a pg&e worker come out and diagnosed it and said it was leaking from that part and I would have to change out the whole control unit do you think that’s true or is there a easier way to fix it ?

[@GlennJohnson1]

I can’t say for sure, but I would sniff around and use the soapy water trick to find the leak. If the leak is at a threaded insert (tube/line/hose) then I’d add teflon tape or plummets putty. If it was coming from the thermostat control unit, I’d replace that. They are about $100. Way less than a water heater. And an update, my water heater is still working fine. It’s been 2 1/2 years since I replaced it. 🎉 that’s a win in my book.

[@geo_eatz4043]

@@GlennJohnson1 sweet ! I’ll try that out man thanks for your help

[@raymondmoreno7442]

Thank you sir for a great video real helpful I have the same problem

[@myboatprojectaquaris]

My water heater is still working great. Replacing the thermostat was a much better idea than the entire water heater, which is what I had done the previous time.

[@alan6832]

@@myboatprojectaquaris It actually looks quicker and easier than installing a new tank even if you ignore the cost factor, but can the old thermostat be repaired? or diagnosed? or disassembled? what exactly went wrong with the old one? dirty or corroded contacts perhaps?

[@zietsky750]

Where do you get the parts?

[@mynextprojectglenn]

The parts are readily available at the box home stores, like Lowe’s, etc.

[@zietsky750]

@mynextprojectglenn i should go to Lowe's in the first place, I went to homedepot, and no luck, and they are not helping either, thanks for info.

[@BraveHelios]

Great video! Not sure if you have run into this... I have a gas water heater and as of recent, it seems that the first use of the day (usually a shower), the water maxes out at a luke-warm temperature. Once that shower is over, the next use of the water heater is another shower around an hour later. For that use/shower, the water comes out much warmer. The thermostat on the heater is set to the main setting (large mark on the t-stat knob). We had the accumulator tank replaced recently (sits on top of the water heater tank) and they also drained the 50 gallon water heater tank at the same time. The water heater itself is around 15 years old. No water conditioner is installed. I do not know if this an issue before the repair since we were not living in the home at that time but I am pretty sure that since the repair was made, this is how the water heater seems to be working now. Any thoughts, tips? Thanks!

[@mynextprojectglenn]

This is exactly the situation that motivated me to replace my thermostat.

[@alan6832]

@@mynextprojectglenn can you take apart the old thermostat and try to find the problem? do you think it could have been repaired? do you think that just turning the knob back and forth might clean the contacts and improve things?

[@mynextprojectglenn]

@@alan6832those are great questions. I don’t know, but when the tank or thermostats fails, I’ll take the thermostat apart and see what I can do. I don’t think they are serviceable. Well see. Some day.

[@HaiVanTran79]

Thanks for uploading this video.

[@arthurlunais]

Are gas water heater thermostats universal?

[@myboatprojectaquaris]

I don’t know about that, but I think there are only a few choices that fit everything. I compared the fittings and found one that matched quite easily. Thanks for watching.

[@seshachary5580]

very educative. Thank you

[@backlash78]

Open pop off valve at top of tank it will drain faster

[@matcrew8047]

thanks!

[@RAMKESAVAN-g5d]

SIR- HOW MUCH WAS THE THERMOSTAT? WHERE DID YOU GET IT? HOW DID YOU MATCH IT?

[@GlennJohnson1]

I bought the thermostat at Home Depot. It was about $90. They are mostly universal. As long as the fuel (natural gas) and the tank size match, it should work. Even if it looks a little different. Thanks for watching.

[@pathslesstrampled9906]

Man, why is water heater technology stuck in the 1950s

[@GlennJohnson1]

I was thinking the same thing. Talk about stuck, consider buttons on clothing. How old is that technology? And there’s still nothing better.

[@alan6832]

@@GlennJohnson1 Most burners are supposed to mix the gas with some air a few inches back, before igniting, and have an adjustable air intake for this purpose. When I have encountered burners that burn yellow, it was usually because this air intake adjuster had been accidentally knocked closed so that not enough air was getting into the premix. I have opened them back up until the color looked right, but there might be a more professional way to adjust burner mixtures.

[@masonwestling6406]

Read the word. It's a thermocouple. NOT a thermocoupler.

[@johnanthonymazzei]

You fast forwarded thru the burner removal as well as other components. You lost me on what you were doing. I stopped the video and looked for another one.

[@robertmckeon1189]

The clip is about replacing the thermostat.......

[@johnanthonymazzei]

@@robertmckeon1189 You skipped steps. Don't blame me for your shortcomings.

[@robertmckeon1189]

You need medicine.