How do you safely hide a water heater?

Question

I just moved into a small apartment and there's a small water heater that's up high in a corner where the washer and dryer are and I wanted to know how to safely decorate around it. I was kind of thinking of putting some type of thin (very) curtain in front of it.

Answer 1

If it's an electric heater, no problem.

The extra insulation will improve the efficiency.

If it's a gas heater, be very careful not to interfere

with the air flow or venting.

Answer 2

The curtain should be fine, they are usually insulated very well, Just make sure that your not completely wrapping the unit in the curtain.

Answer 3

That is fine, but I would suggest you go to the discovery channel website, pull up mythbusters and when their page is up type in the words Water heater.  They show the amount of energy an explosion makes.  Scary!!!

Answer 4

Check your city's code first.  Blocking a water heater has rules, for fire reasons.  If it is a gas-fired heater, you had better be very careful.