Q: Mechanical gas valve convert to Electric

[patrick taylor]

Hello

I know nothing about water heaters. I want wifi control of my hot water heater. its in the attic and i work away from home. its not efficient or fun to go into the attic to turn the mechanical down or up when i leave or come home. and id like to be able to add maybe the Rheem wifi control unit to a electric unit on my current unit. this needs to be a cost effective method. purchasing a new water heater to replace the one i have that currently works is not worth it when control of the gas going to my water heater will only save me 10-20 bucks a month on gas. i work away from home and my gas bills when away are 20-27$ total. however if it IS possible to upgrade just the gas control valve unit , to an electric on that has the ability to add the Rheem wifi unit , for control via my smart phone i need to find this information.

thank you in advance.

 

[Mr_David]

never heard of such a thing.
Newer residential WH are coming out with gas valves that have electronic controls but none, that I know of, that are adaptable to remote control.
Now if you had a water heater that had self lighting electronic ignition all you'd have to do is turn of power supply.

And you want to be cost effective. Good luck with that.

 

[patrick taylor]

well , more cost effective than let me replace this entire water heater 400-1500$ USD cash on a whim that i "Want" remote control over the natrual gas burning in my tank to keep water hot while im gone for 3 months, longest ive done is 97 days , so im heating water to keep shower hot ready water toasty for 97 days that it never gets used.....

if i can get it done for less than a new tank i want to but its not gonna save me a ton , maybe 10 bucks a month on the gas bill , so if it costs 800 its gonna take years to recoup that ,

thats basically what im trying to figure out , the electric control gas valve , can i swap one for my older mechanical unit ,

 

[TomFOhio]

Call the company of the brand of water heater that you have. Ask them at tech support. They would be able to tell you
want you want to know.

 

[chiraldude]

How about trying to control the thermostat setpoint instead?
A crude solution would be to epoxy a popsicle stick to the thermostat knob and put a string or wire on the end. Pull one way and you set for 80 degrees, pull the other way and you set for 120.
If you are good with electrical/mechanical things, maybe a servo or solenoid could be rigged to accomplish this.