Do not store these items near your water heater

Photo: Ground Photo (Shutterstock)

In addition to using less energy, part of the appeal of tankless water heaters is that they take up less space than traditional models. So unless you have a sprawling basement where storage space isn't an issue, your tank water heater takes up valuable real estate.

It may be tempting to use the space around your water heater and furnace as a type of utility area to store household supplies, but that's not not the best or safest idea. Here are some examples of items not to store near your water heater and other tips to make sure it is working properly.

Do not store these items near a water heater

Most traditional water heaters with tanks run on gas or electricity, or, less commonly, on oil.

Electric models are not only the smallest of the lot, they are also the safest when it comes to what is stored nearby, because unlike water heaters at the gas or oil, they do not have a pilot light. Still, the tank itself can get very hot and it's possible for an electric water heater to spark, so it's best not to store anything flammable or combustible near it.

How much are we talking? The general rule is to keep any flammable or combustible material at least 12 to 18 inches from your water heater. Some