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The unique design of the Vaughn heat exchanger electrically isolates the heat exchanger from the tank by means of a non conductive barrier installed between the two. This provides dielectric isolation between the tank and the heat exchanger thereby eliminating electrolysis between the two due to dissimilar metals. This feature is one reason why the Vaughn indirect water heater far outlasts competitor models.

Yes. The heat exchanger is fully removable in all Vaughn indirect water heaters. The benefit to having a removable heat exchanger is that the coil can be removed for cleaning and de-scaling for improved performance and efficiency when used in hard water applications. It should be noted that the heat exchanger is not removable and the coil cannot be cleaned in many other indirect water heater brands.

Yes. Vaughn water heaters are all made in the USA and our factories located in Connecticut and Massachusetts and qualify for incentives under The Buy American Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

There are numerous ways to purchase a Vaughn water heater depending upon the model you desire and your geographic location.  The easiest way is either to visit our "Where to Buy" option in the red menu bar across the website, or contact Vaughn directly at 978-462-6683 and ask for the sales department where you will be directed to either our local representative or our order entry department for quick and easy ordering.

The installation of water heaters are mostly governed by the Uniform Plumbing Code (or CPC in California), Uniform Mechanical Code, and National Electrical Code. These are standard codes that are used across the United States, and each state can amend them as they wish.   To take it further, each city and county jurisdiction has assigned one or more building officials with what is called Administrative Authority. This Authority" allows each jurisdiction the right to interpret the codes as they see fit. Because of this many cities differ on their requirements.  Vaughn strongly recommends that you contract with a plumbing engineer who knows and understands the intricacies of the building code requirements for your location.

Yes. All Vaughn water heaters will work with both types of plastic piping.

Check out the Vaughn Product Center at Here for a complete listing of all technical Operation & Maintenance manuals documentation available by model. Get easy access to Installation Sales Brochures Service Bulletins Wiring Schematics Parts Breakdowns and various other technical documents related to the full line of Vaughn water heaters. Or if you prefer please call us at 978-462-6683 and ask to speak with Sales.

Vaughn has more than 35 product families available in over 4,000,000 configurations.  There are numerous features, configurations and ratings we provide but for practical reasons are are not listed in the sales brochure.  If you have a specific requirement and you do not see it in the brochure, please contact a Vaughn Sales Engineer...chances are we have what you need.

Should you require support for your Vaughn water heater we ask that you first contact the installer of the water heater or local contractor for troubleshooting assistance. Our technical support representatives are available to answer any questions you and your contractor may have and assist in troubleshooting your problem and directing you to a resolution. 

For typical domestic potable hot water service the temperature of your water heater at 125°F is sufficient. This prevents wasted energy (which means cost savings for you) and also decreases the possibility of scalding water burns. If you run out of hot water on this setting, increase the temperature by five degrees incrementally until your hot water needs are met. The goal is to have the temperature set just high enough to meet your needs but within safe operating parameters. Please note that a water heater in and of itself should not be relied upon as the ultimate temperature controlling source for the hot water delivered to your fixtures. Please consult local and state codes for installation of the proper and code approved (ASSE 1016, 1070, 1017) mixing devices to achieve the safe delivery of hot water to the fixtures. For a more complete information please download the whitepaper PDF titled Understanding Potential Water Heater Scald Hazards" developed by ASSE at the following link ASSE Whitepaper

Depending upon your location and the type of water heater you select for your application, there may be financial incentives offered by the local, state or federal government and/or your local utility.  By visiting the following website at Incentives and clicking on your state you may find available rebates and incentives.

Parts are available for your Vaughn water heater through our network of distributors. To locate the distributor nearest to you, please visit our "Where to Buy" tab in the red menu bar and select "find a distributor." You will be prompted for your postal/ZIP code. When speaking with a distributor about replacement parts, please have your model and serial number at the ready to ensure prompt, accurate service.

Thermal expansion is created when water in a hot water system expands due to increasing temperature. When there are no faucets/fixtures open to release the excessive pressure caused by the water being heated up, and if there is no expansion tank in the system to absorb the expanded water, then it is likely that the water heater T&P (temperature and pressure) relief valve will open slightly and begin to drip to release the excessive pressure.  This is not a condition that the T&P relief valve is intended, it is a safety device not an operational device.  Thermal expansion can be evident immediately upon a new installation when a cold system is first undergoing heat up, or even occur years in the future due to seemingly unrelated changes to the plumbing system but enough so that thermal expansion becomes a problem.  If Thermal expansion is present a properly sized expansion tank should be installed to resolve this problem.

The Vaughn cement lined tank is suitable for storing water up to 194°F. This is done almost exclusively for commercial, indutrial, and agricultural sanitation purposes. It should be noted that your water heater will likely require optional control accessories/inputs to achieve this temperature. Please note that there are numerous safety concerns including scalding that must be considered when storing water at elevated temperatures; please consult our factory directly to determine the proper safeguard equipment if you are considering storing water at higher temperature.

A surface thermostat is a bi metallic sensing temperature regulating thermostat that senses the outer wall temperature of the water heater tank.  An immersion thermostat is a bulb and capillary style temperature regulating thermostat that senses the water temperature through a dry immersion well in the water.  A surface thermostat is adjustable up to a maximum of 170oF and an immersion thermostat adjusts up to a maximum of 194oF.  A surface thermostat is typically used in low wattage water heaters, whereas an immersion thermostat is used in high wattage water heaters.

Not exactly.  The Vaughn cement lined electric tank includes a cold water diffuser integrated into the cold water connection which allows incoming cold water to be introduced into the tank in a controlled and non turbulent manner, thus avoiding premature mixing of cold water with the hot water in the tank.  On Vaughn cement lined tanks the cold water inlet/diffuser is located on the side in the lower portion of the tank.  Therefore, a Vaughn cement lined tank does not require a long dip tube extending all the way from the top to the bottom of the tank. The Vaughn cement lined Top Performer Plus indirect water heater does have a top-down dip tube.

A temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve is a safety device intended to relieve excessive pressure (typically >150psi) or excessive temperature (210°F/99°C).  Typically, a dripping T&P is most likely the result of excessive pressure build up in the water heater.  When a T&P opens due to excessive temperature, you will most likely see a significant amount of steam in the air as the water flashes into steam as it discharges from the T&P.  A relief valve discharging due to excessive pressure is by far the most common reason for relief valve discharge.  It is also worth noting that a T&P relief valve will begin to open when pressure is within 5% of its set pressure rating, as an example a 150psi relief valve will begin to open and “weep” at 142psi.  See FAQ relating to thermal expansion for a more detailed discussion of this problem.

There is no major restriction of water flow through the Vaughn water heater.  Cold water inlet and hot water outlet sizes are available in &frac34;” and 1-1/2” sizes to accommodate your application.  By far, the &frac34;” size is more than adequate for most applications using a Model S or ME water heater.  If your flow rate through the water heater is greater than approximately 10 GPM you may want to consider the 1-1/2” connection option (must be specified at time of ordering).  As an approximate, pressure drop through any E model water heater with &frac34;” connections will be <4 psi with a flow rate of <10 GPM, and with 1-1/2” connections the pressure drop will be <3 psi with a flow rate of <20 GPM.

All Vaughn water heaters ship via common carrier and are classified by the Commodity Classification Standards Board under National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) class 100.  Each water heater is palletized and wood crated. To provide the lowest transportation cost, in most cases the shipment is made on Vaughn’s account and the freight cost is added to the invoice, commonly referred to as “Pre pay and add”.  For very large shipments, the most economical method (LTL or Dedicated Truck) for transporting the water heaters to the final destination will be analyzed by Vaughn's transportation department.

Yes, it is recommended that a thermal expansion tank be installed with your water heater, and in many instances this is required by code.  When water is heated it expands.  If your system is “open” then water can backflow into the water main and this “extra” expanded water simply flows back out your system.  Increasingly, plumbing systems are being closed off and backflow prevention valves are being placed between homes and the water main.  This is done for a variety of reasons.  For example, increasingly valves are placed between homes and water mains to protect plumbing systems from inlet water pressure.  Water pressure is increasing in many cases in order to meet the demands of more densely populated areas.  If your system is “closed”, then this means when you heat your water and it expands, this increased volume has nowhere to go.   As water is not a very compressible material, this causes sudden increases in water pressure which can damage your water heater and your other appliances.  A thermal expansion tank is a pressurized tank typically located in line immediately before the water heater.  The tank contains a pressurized bladder.  As your water expands, it pushes against this bladder giving the increased volume a place to go preventing rapid pressure increases due to thermal expansion.   If your system is closed, installing an expansion tank may lengthen the life of your water heater by preventing excessive pressure cycling. In addition, if your home has a history of leaky faucets or other appliances that wear out prematurely, an expansion tank may fix your problem.  If you are using a tankless heater, because this type of heater heats water only on demand, you may net need an expansion tank, please consult with your local installer.

All provinces of Canada have adopted the ASME Code and require vessels to be stamped with a provincial registration number in addition to the ASME symbol and National Board stamping. Before construction begins, one requirement has to be met in all provinces of Canada. We must submit blueprints and specification sheets in triplicate of all designs for approval and registration by the chief inspector of the province in which the vessel is to be used.  After the chief inspector receives the drawings, they are checked by an engineer to determine their compliance with the Code and also with provincial regulations. A CRN number is assigned and must be stamped on the vessel in addition to the ASME symbol and National Board stamping.  Once the design has been approved and registered, any number of vessels of that design can be built and used in the province where it was approved. This process is repeated for each province. The Canadian provinces also require their own manufacturer's affidavit form, with the registration number and the shop inspector's signature on the data sheets. Finally, when a vessel is delivered to a purchaser in Canada, an affidavit of manufacturer bearing registration number and the signature of the authorized shop inspector must be sent to the chief inspector of the province for which it is intended.

Yes, all Vaughn water heater models qualify as meeting the low lead requirements of the “Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” amendment to the “Safe Drinking Water Act” (SDWA) Section 1417(d) effective as of January 4, 2014.  Vaughn certifies that its water heaters meet the following requirements of the SDWA and therefore are qualified and certified as Low Lead :     (a)Vaughn water heater do not contain more than 0.2 percent lead with respect to solder and flux     (b)Vaughn water heaters do not contain more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead with respect to all wetted surfaces of the water heater.

The Vaughn water heater is built to and approved by UL to ANSI/UL 174 and CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 110 (1990). These standards require that each assembled water heater be shipped with a factory installed combination temperature and pressure relief valve sized in accordance with ASME requirements. However, if a relief valve sized to CSA is required, you must indicate this at time of requesting a quote for your water heater as this may necessitate a larger opening in the tank to accommodate a larger CSA relief valve. For reference, please see the following link to an article on this subject Here

Yes it is OK.  A water softener system will not affect the longevity or operation of a Vaughn cement lined water heater tank.  A water softener is typically installed when a potable water system has hard water resulting in the need to soften the water.  Unfortunately, the salt used in a water softener corrodes the anode rod and exposed steel surfaces of the water heater tank, rapidly causing a glass lined water heater to corrode and leak within a few years.  This is an issue for a glass lined water heater due to its reliance on a sacrificial anode, however because a cement lined tank does not use a sacrificial anode softened water is of no concern to the Vaughn cement lined tank.

In almost all cases, a cement lined steel tank is a more robust tank compared to stainless steel. The weakness of a stainless steel tank is in the materials susceptibility to SCC (Stress Corrosion Cracking) caused by chlorides, bromides, iodides and fluorides in the water. The combination of residual stresses from welding, roll forming and stamping, and the cyclic stress from operating in a hot water system are sources of tensile stress, that when above a certain threshold stress, will make a stainless steel water heater tank susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. Cement lined steel tanks are not susceptible to this condition, and therefore are more resistant to corrosion and withstand the pressure and temperature cyclical operation of a water heater.