Billy, Some information out of the owners manual CLEANING ODS/PILOT AND BURNER Â Use as vacuum cleaner, pressurized air or small soft bristled brush to clean. CLEANING BURNER PILOT AIR HOLE INLET We recommend that you clean the unit ever 2,500 hours of operation or every three months. We also recommend that you keep the burner tube and pilot assembly clean and free of dust and dirt. To clean these parts we recommend using compressed air no greater than 30 psig. This can be done by using a vacuum cleaner in the blow position, using compressed air in a can, please follow the directions on the can. If you donÂt follow directions on the can you could damage the burner or pilot assembly. In addition, the directions that follow should also be followed. 1. Shut off the unit, including the pilot. Allow the unit to cool for at least thirty minutes. 2. Inspect burner and pilot for dust and dirt. 3. Blow air through the port/slots and holes in the burner. A yellow tip on the pilot flame indicates dust and dirt in the pilot assembly. To clean the pilot assembly find the small pilot air inlet hole about two inches from where the pilot flame comes out of the pilot assembly (see figure 25). With the unit off, lightly blow air through the air inlet hole. You may blow through a drinking straw if compressed air is not available. I would also check the thermocoupler connection. Clean it with small wire brush or emery. Eric Here is a link that might be useful: Page 13

Posted by nathanhurst VIC Aust (My Page) on Thu, Dec 7, 06 at 17:14 wantabe: Actually, shipping is free, but you can only use the heater on a timeshare scheme - you get it for a number of hours each day, then the other side of the world gets it. As the heater is surplus to my need (by about 3 hours every day), I'm happy to give it away for free. Well it is only 8 degrees this morning so i will gladly accept your offer.

I don't think they will let you install a unit stacked under the deck. i would check with the inspector before you go any further. The outer round pipe is the air intake and it does not get that hot so insulation should not bother it. If your insulation has paper on it, i would not let that against the pipe. later paulbm

Dan, the OP is doing a DIY installation. If he were to follow your suggestion, to replace his tank heater with a tankless, he'll need a bigger gas line, AND new venting spec'd to the tankless he chooses. That's not a DIY job. So your suggestion would be to choose a $1500 tankless PLUS add the cost of gas line/venting/labor, instead of the quick switch from his old tank to a new one? I wish I had your expendable income LOL! To the OP, I recommend the 50 gallon heater - the increase of 10 gallons won't add much to the cost of the tank or its operation, and you'll rest easier knowing you'll be less likely to run out of hot water. I actually think a 40-gallon is not adequate for 2 people. As to brands, Bradford White is tops, but I don't know that it's worth it to pay the high price for it. I am linking below to a Consumers Reports article. There is a correlation between warranty periods and quality of the heater. Here is a link that might be useful: Consumer Reports on Hot Water Heaters