Loud Water Heater Right Next to Bedroom (apt complex, lease, tenant)

[jngyn]

Hi there,

My apt mgmt just installed a new, more efficient water heater (AO Smith power vent) and the utility closet that houses it shares a wall with my bedroom. The water heater services the entire complex. I have never heard any sound coming from the old water heater but this new one is much louder and it sounds like a spaceship starting up every time someone in the apt complex uses hot water (which is basically all the time). Mgmt has insulated the one wall between my bedroom and the utility closet but it is still rather loud. I seriously have to sleep with noise canceling headphones. What are my rights as a tenant in this case? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Mr_Geek]

I doubt you will have much legal recourse. Have you talked to the landlord/management yet about it still being loud despite the insulation?

[WorldKlas]

Legal rights -- no. But you certainly need to keep insisting the property mgmt people remedy the situation either with technical solutions or moving you to another unit.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by jngyn

My apt mgmt just installed a new, more efficient water heater (AO Smith power vent)..
What are my rights as a tenant in this case?

Zero.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

You can still complain and ask to have a standard water heater installed.
It won't help much... but if you do so in writing and repeatedly (be a squeaky wheel)
that paper trail will help when you decide to break the lease early since you can't sleep.

[JONOV]

Legal rights? Not much.

I would complain enough that they let you out of the lease or otherwise fix it.

[Zippyman]

If they insulated the space, it sounds like they're willing to try to mitigate the sound.. mass generally works better than insulation for sound - as well as sealing the walls tightly. I'd ask them to seal any outlets on the affected wall, put a gasket on the door & put an extra layer of drywall on one side (a more substantial wall won't transfer as much sound). There's also a product available called "green glue" that can be put between an extra layer of drywall to enhance the "mass" effect.

http://www.greengluecompany.com/

Even if you move, the next tenants will have the same issue, hopefully they will figure that out.

Going back to the old style of water heater probably isn't possible due to changes in efficiency standards. Over a certain capacity (I believe it's 80 gallons) the only legal heaters are power vent or heat pump & both make noise.