US20160025378A1

US20160025378A1 - Water heater appliance

Info

Publication number: US20160025378A1
Application number: US14/337,266
Authority: US
Inventors: Noel Gabriel Aguilar; Christopher Bryan Rissler; Jonathan D. Nelson
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2014-07-22
Filing date: 2014-07-22
Publication date: 2016-01-28

Abstract

A water heater appliance includes a support pad positioned on an outer shell of the water heater appliance. A pair of inserts is disposed within the support pad. Each insert of the pair of inserts is positioned on a respective one of an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit of the water heater appliance. The inserts have a density greater than the support pad.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to water heater appliances, such as heat pump water heater appliances, and support members for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shipping water heater appliances poses certain challenges. In particular, water heater appliances may be damaged during transit by other objects impacting the water heater appliances or by falling over during transit. Damaged water heater appliances are expensive to repair or replace. In particular, sealed systems of heat pump water heaters can be expensive to repair or replace if the heat pump water heaters are dropped or struck. For example, components of the sealed systems, such as a compressor and/or an evaporator, may be positioned within a shroud at a top portion of the heat pump water heaters. When objects impact the water heater appliances or the water heater appliances fall over during transit, the shroud may deform and the sealed system components may be damaged due to an absence of insulation within the shroud to bear the applied loads.
Various shipping accessories are available to limit or prevent damage to water heater appliances during transit. Certain water heater appliances are shipped with a foam top panel that assists with protecting a top portion of the water heater appliances. Such foam top panels suffer certain shortcomings. For example, the foam top panels may transfer side impact loads to a casing of the water heater appliances and thereby dent or otherwise damage the casing. In addition, the foam top panel may deform or crush if multiple water heater appliances are stacked atop each other. Thus, foam top panels may limit stacking of water heater appliances during storage or transit.
Accordingly, a water heater appliance with features for limiting or preventing damage to the water heater appliance during shipping or storage of the water heater appliance would be useful. In addition, a water heater appliance with features for assisting with stacking the water heater appliance atop other water heater appliances would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a water heater appliance. The water heater appliance includes a support pad positioned on an outer shell of the water heater appliance. A pair of inserts is disposed within the support pad. Each insert of the pair of inserts is positioned on a respective one of an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit of the water heater appliance. The inserts have a density greater than the support pad. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In a first exemplary embodiment, a water heater appliance is provided. The water heater appliance includes an outer shell extending between a top portion and a bottom portion. A tank is disposed within the outer shell. The tank defines an interior volume. An inlet conduit extends through the tank into the interior volume of the tank at the top portion of the outer shell. An outlet conduit also extends through the tank into the interior volume of the tank at the top portion of the outer shell. A support pad is positioned on the outer shell at the top portion of the outer shell. A pair of inserts is disposed within the support pad. A first one of the pair of inserts is positioned on the inlet conduit. A second one of the pair of inserts is positioned on the outlet conduit. The inserts of the pair of inserts have a density greater than the support pad.
In a second exemplary embodiment, a water heater appliance is provided. The water heater appliance defines a vertical direction, a circumferential direction and a radial direction. The water heater appliance includes an outer shell that extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The water heater appliance also includes a tank. An inlet conduit extends along the vertical direction into the tank at the top portion of the outer shell. An outlet conduit also extends along the vertical direction into the tank at the top portion of the outer shell. A support pad is positioned at the top portion of the outer shell. A pair of inserts is disposed within the support pad. A first one of the pair of inserts is positioned on the inlet conduit. A second one of the pair of inserts is positioned on the outlet conduit. A density of the inserts of the pair of inserts is greater than a density of the support pad.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water heater appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of certain components of the exemplary water heater appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a shipping assembly of the exemplary water heater appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of the shipping assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a partial, perspective view of the exemplary water heater appliance of FIG. 1 with a support pad according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter positioned on the exemplary water heater appliance.

FIG. 6 provides a partial, section view of the exemplary water heater appliance and support pad of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide top and bottom perspective views of the exemplary support pad of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 provides a bottom plan view of the exemplary support pad of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of an insert according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water heater appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Water heater appliance 100 includes an outer shell or casing 102. Casing 102 generally surrounds a tank 112 (FIG. 2) such that tank 112 is disposed within casing 102. Casing 102 may be formed from a variety of components. As illustrated, casing 102 may include a wrapper 154 and one or more covers, such as a top cover 156 and a bottom cover 158 as illustrated. Covers 156, 158 may be fastened or coupled to wrapper 154 to form casing 102.
Upper and lower heating elements 118, 119 (FIG. 2) and a sealed system 120 (FIG. 2) may also be positioned within casing 102 for heating water within tank 112. Upper and lower heating elements 118, 119 can be any suitable heating elements. For example, upper heating element 118 and/or lower heating element 119 may be an electric resistance element, a microwave element, an induction element, or any other suitable heating element or combination thereof. Lower heating element 119 may also be a gas burner. As will be understood by those skilled in the art and as used herein, the term “water” includes purified water and solutions or mixtures containing water and, e.g., elements (such as calcium, chlorine, and fluorine), salts, bacteria, nitrates, organics, and other chemical compounds or substances.
Water heater appliance 100 also includes an inlet or cold water conduit 104 and an outlet or hot water conduit 106 that are both in fluid communication with a chamber or interior volume 114 (FIG. 2) defined by tank 112. As an example, cold water from a water source, e.g., a municipal water supply or a well, can enter water heater appliance 100 through cold water conduit 104. From cold water conduit 104, such cold water can enter interior volume 114 of tank 112 wherein it is heated with heating elements 118, 119 and/or sealed system 120 to generate heated water. Such heated water can exit water heater appliance 100 at hot water conduit 106 and, e.g., be supplied to a bath, shower, sink, or any other suitable feature.
Water heater appliance 100 extends longitudinally between a top portion 108 and a bottom portion 109 along a vertical direction V. Thus, water heater appliance 100 is generally vertically oriented. Water heater appliance 100 can be leveled, e.g., such that casing 102 is plumb in the vertical direction V, in order to facilitate proper operation of water heater appliance 100. A drain pan 110 is positioned at bottom portion 109 of water heater appliance 100 such that water heater appliance 100 sits on drain pan 110. Drain pan 110 sits beneath water heater appliance 100 along the vertical direction V, e.g., to collect water that leaks from water heater appliance 100 or water that condenses on an evaporator 128 (FIG. 2) of water heater appliance 100. It should be understood that water heater appliance 100 is provided by way of example only and that the present subject matter may be used with any suitable water heater appliance, including for example a heat pump water heater appliance.
FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of certain components of water heater appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 2, water heater appliance 100 may include sealed system 120 for heating water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. Sealed system 120 generally operates in a heat pump cycle. Thus, water heater appliance 100 is commonly referred to as a “heat pump water heater appliance.” Water heater appliance 100 may additionally include one or more auxiliary heating elements, such as upper heating element 118 and/or lower heating element 119.
Sealed system 120 may include a compressor 122, a first condenser 124, a second condenser 126 and an evaporator 128. Compressor 122 and/or evaporator 128 of sealed system 120 may be disposed within casing 102 at top portion 108 of water heater appliance 100. As is generally understood, various conduits may be utilized to flow refrigerant between the various components of sealed system 120. Thus, e.g., evaporator 128 may be between and in fluid communication with second condenser 126 and compressor 122. During operation of sealed system 120, refrigerant may flow from evaporator 128 through compressor 122. For example, refrigerant may exit evaporator 128 as a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. Upon exiting evaporator 128, the refrigerant may enter compressor 122. Compressor 122 may be operable to compress the refrigerant. Accordingly, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant may be increased in compressor 122 such that the refrigerant becomes a superheated vapor.
Each condenser 124, 126 may be assembled in a heat exchange relationship with tank 112 in order to heat water within interior volume 114 of tank 112 during operation of sealed system 120. First condenser 124 may be positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with compressor 122, and may be operable to heat the water within interior volume 114 using energy from the refrigerant. For example, the superheated vapor from compressor 122 may enter first condenser 124 wherein it transfers energy to the water within tank 112 and condenses into a saturated liquid and/or liquid vapor mixture. Second condenser 126 may be positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with first condenser 124, and may additionally be operable to heat the water within interior volume 114 using energy from the refrigerant, such as by further condensing the refrigerant.
Sealed system 120 may also include a first throttling device 130 between first condenser 124 and second condenser 126, and/or a second throttling device 132 between second condenser 126 and evaporator 128. Refrigerant, which may be in the form saturated liquid vapor mixture, may exit first condenser 124 and travel through first throttling device 130 before flowing through second condenser 126. First throttling device 130 may generally expand the refrigerant, lowering the pressure and temperature thereof. The refrigerant may then be flowed through second condenser 126. Similarly, refrigerant, which may be in the form of high quality/saturated liquid vapor mixture, may exit second condenser 126 and travel through second throttling device 132 before flowing through evaporator 128. Second throttling device 132 may generally expand the refrigerant, lowering the pressure and temperature thereof. The refrigerant may then be flowed through evaporator 128.
First and second throttling devices 130, 132 may be any suitable components for generally expanding the refrigerant. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, first and second throttling device 130, 132 may be a Joule-Thomson expansion valve, also known as a “J-T valve.” In other exemplary embodiments, first and second throttling device 130, 132 may be an ejector. In still other exemplary embodiments, a capillary tube, fixed orifice, or other suitable apparatus may be utilized as first and second throttling device 130, 132.
Water heater appliance 100 may additionally include a temperature sensor 152. Temperature sensor 152 may be configured for measuring a temperature of water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. Temperature sensor 152 can be positioned at any suitable location within water heater appliance 100. For example, temperature sensor 152 may be positioned within interior volume 114 of tank 112 or may be mounted to tank 112 outside of interior volume 114 of tank 112. Temperature sensor 152 may further be positioned within upper portion 160 or lower portion 162. When mounted to tank 112 outside of interior volume 114 of tank 112, temperature sensor 152 can be configured for indirectly measuring the temperature of water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. For example, temperature sensor 152 can measure the temperature of tank 112 and correlate the temperature of tank 112 to the temperature of water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. Temperature sensor 152 may be any suitable temperature sensor. For example, temperature sensor 152 may be a thermocouple or a thermistor.
Water heater appliance 100 may further include a controller 150 that regulates operation of water heater appliance 100. Controller 150 may be, for example, in operative communication with sealed system 120 (such as compressor 122, and/or other components thereof), auxiliary heating elements, and/or temperature sensor 152. Thus, controller 150 can selectively activate system 120 and/or auxiliary heating elements in order to heat water within interior volume 114 of tank 112.
Controller 150 includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of water heater appliance 100. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 150 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.
FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a shipping assembly 170 of water heater appliance 100. FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of shipping assembly 170. As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, shipping assembly 170 includes a box 172. Box 172 is sized for receiving water heater appliance 100 therein. Thus, water heater appliance 100 may be, e.g., completely, disposed within box 172. Box 172 may be constructed of or with any suitable material. For example, box 172 may be constructed of or with corrugated cardboard. Shipping assembly 170 also includes a box top 174 and a box bottom 176 that may be mounted to box 172 with straps 178 or any other suitable mechanism, such as adhesive, tape, fasteners, etc. Box top 174 and box bottom 176 may be constructed with the same or similar materials as box 172. An air filter 182 of water heater appliance 100 may be stored within box 172 adjacent bottom portion 109 of water heater appliance 100, e.g., on box bottom 176, during shipping or storage of water heater appliance 100 within shipping assembly 170.
Shipping assembly 170 also includes a support ring 180. Support ring 180 may be positioned at a middle portion of water heater appliance 100 and assist with supporting water heater appliance 100 within box 172. In particular, support ring 180 may extend between side walls of box 172 in order to support water heater appliance 100 within box 172 and hinder to prevent damage to water heater appliance 100, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Support ring 180 may be any suitable type of support ring. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/326,791 of Jacob Gregory Powers et al. entitled “A Water Heater Appliance,” incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, describes a support ring that may be used as support ring 180 to support water heater appliance 100.
Shipping assembly 170 also includes a support pad 200 and a pair of inserts 210. Support pad 200 and inserts 210 may be used to assist with hindering or preventing damage to an associated water heater appliance. For example, support pad 200 and inserts 210 may assist with transferring or deflecting forces during transport or shipping of a water heater appliance. Support pad 200 and inserts 210 may be used on or with any suitable water heater appliance. For example, support pad 200 and inserts 210 may be used with or on water heater appliance 100, as shown in FIG. 5.
Support pad 200 and inserts 210 assist with supporting water heater appliance 100 within box 172. For example, support pad 200 and inserts 210 may assist with transferring force applied to box 172, e.g., when box 172 is impacted or tips over, from box 172 to at least one of cold water conduit 104 and hot water conduit 106. In addition, support pad 200 and inserts 210 may assist with permitting multiple water heater appliances, such as water heater appliance 100, within shipping assemblies, such as shipping assembly 170, to be stacked on top of one another during shipping or storage. In particular, support pad 200 and inserts 210 may assist with permitting at least three (e.g., four) water heater appliances within shipping assemblies to be stacked on top of one another during shipping or storage. Support pad 200 and inserts 210 are discussed in greater detail below.
FIG. 5 provides a partial, perspective view of water heater appliance 100 with support pad 200 and inserts 210 positioned on water heater appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 5, support pad 200 is positioned at top portion 108 of water heater appliance 100. In particular, support pad 200 may be positioned on casing 102, e.g., on top cover 156 of casing 102, at top portion 108 of water heater appliance 100. Inserts 210 are disposed within support pad 200. Thus, inserts 210 are also positioned at top portion 108 of water heater appliance 100, e.g., on top cover 156 of casing 102. Inserts 210 are positioned on cold water conduit 104 and hot water conduit 106. In particular, a first one of inserts 210 is positioned on cold water conduit 104, and a second one of inserts 210 is positioned on hot water conduit 106.
As discussed above, support pad 200 and inserts 210 assist with hindering or preventing damage to water heater appliance 100. To assist with such protection or support, inserts 210 having a density greater than support pad 200 such that a density of inserts 210 is greater than a density of support pad 200. For example, the density of inserts 210 may be at least twice the density of support pad 200. In such a manner, support pad 200 and inserts 210 may assist with transferring force applied to box 172, e.g., when box 172 is impacted or tips over, from box 172 to at least one of cold water conduit 104 and hot water conduit 106 rather than casing 102. Thus, damage, such as dents, to casing 102 can be prevented or limited.
As may be seen in FIG. 5, inserts 210 have top surfaces 212, e.g., that face upwardly along the vertical direction V. Similarly, support pad 200 also has a top surface 206, e.g., that faces upwardly along the vertical direction V. Top surfaces 212 of inserts 210 may be positioned at (e.g. flush with) or below top surface 206 of support pad 200. Thus, top surfaces 212 of inserts 210 may be coplanar with top surface 206 of support pad 200, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V. Cold water conduit 104 and hot water conduit 106 are positioned below top surfaces 212 of inserts 210, e.g., and top surface 206 of support pad 200, along the vertical direction V. Thus, the tops of cold water conduit 104 and hot water conduit 106 may be recessed within inserts 210.
FIG. 6 provides a partial, section view of water heater appliance 100 and support pad 200. As may be seen in FIG. 6, support pad 200 includes a top panel 202 and a side wall 204. Top panel 202 is positioned on casing 102, e.g., on top cover 156 at top portion 108 of casing 102. Side wall 204 is mounted to top panel 202 and extends from top panel 202 towards casing 102, e.g., along the vertical direction V. In particular, side wall 204 may extend downwardly along the vertical direction V from top panel 202 and extend around or about casing 102 along the circumferential direction C.
Casing 102, e.g., top cover 156, and side wall 204 of support pad 200 define a gap G, e.g., along the radial direction R, therebetween. Thus, side wall 204 of support pad 200 and casing 102, e.g., top cover 156, may be spaced apart from each other by the gap G along the radial direction R. The gap G may extend uniformly along the circumferential direction C about water heater appliance 100. The gap G may be any suitable size. For example, the gap G may be less than one eighth of an inch or less than one quarter of an inch.
Inserts 210 and support pad 200 may also be spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the radial direction R. In particular, each insert of inserts 210 and support pad 200 may define a space S, e.g., along the radial direction, therebetween. The space S may be any suitable size. For example, the space S may be less than one sixteenth of an inch or less than one eighth of an inch. The space S may also be less than the gap G, in certain exemplary embodiments. In such a manner, support pad 200 and inserts 210 may assist with transferring force applied to box 172, e.g., when box 172 is impacted or tips over, from box 172 to at least one of cold water conduit 104 and hot water conduit 106 rather than casing 102. Thus, damage, such as dents, to casing 102 can be prevented or limited.
FIGS. 7 and 8 provide top and bottom perspective views of support pad 200. FIG. 9 provides a bottom plan view of support pad 200. As may be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, support pad 200 has or defines an outer perimeter OP and an inner perimeter IP. Outer perimeter OP of support pad 200 may be generally square. Thus, while support pad 200 may include various projections and indentions, outer perimeter OP of support pad 200 is shaped to allow support pad 200 to fit within box 172. In particular, support pad 200 may extend between side walls of box 172 in order to support water heater appliance 100 within box 172 and hinder to prevent damage to water heater appliance 100, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. As shown in FIG. 5, inner perimeter IP of support pad 200 may be circular. Thus, inner perimeter IP of support pad 200 is shaped for receiving and supporting water heater appliance 100 within support pad 200, as discussed above.
Support pad 200 may be constructed of or with any suitable material. For example, support pad 200 may be constructed of or with expanded polystyrene. In particular, support pad 200 may be formed of a single, continuous piece of expanded polystyrene.
FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of one of inserts 210. Inserts 210 may have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, inserts 210 may be cylindrical. In alternative exemplary embodiments, inserts 210 may be cubic. Inserts 210 may be constructed of or with any suitable material. For example, inserts 210 may be constructed of or with a plastic, wood or a metal, such as aluminum. In particular, each insert of inserts 210 may be formed of separate, discrete pieces of molded plastic.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A water heater appliance, comprising:

an outer shell extending between a top portion and a bottom portion;

a tank disposed within the outer shell, the tank defining an interior volume;

an inlet conduit extending through the tank into the interior volume of the tank at the top portion of the outer shell;

an outlet conduit extending through the tank into the interior volume of the tank at the top portion of the outer shell;

a support pad positioned on the outer shell at the top portion of the outer shell; and

a pair of inserts disposed within the support pad, a first one of the pair of inserts positioned on the inlet conduit, a second one of the pair of inserts positioned on the outlet conduit, the inserts of the pair of inserts having a density greater than the support pad.

2. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein the support pad includes a top panel and a side wall, the top panel positioned on top of the outer shell, the side wall extending from the top panel around the outer shell.

3. The water heater appliance of claim 2, wherein the outer shell and the side wall define a gap therebetween and each insert of the pair of inserts and the support pad define a space therebetween, the space between each insert of the pair of inserts and the support pad being smaller than the gap between the outer shell and the side wall.

4. The water heater appliance of claim 3, wherein the gap is less than one eighth of an inch and the space is less than one sixteenth of an inch.

5. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein each insert of the pair of inserts has a top surface, the support pad also having a top surface, the top surfaces of the pair of inserts being positioned at or below the top surface of the support pad.

6. The water heater appliance of claim 5, wherein the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit are positioned below the top surfaces of the pair of inserts.

7. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein the inserts of the pair of inserts are cylindrical.

8. The water heater appliance of claim 7, wherein an outer perimeter of the support pad is square.

9. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein the inserts of the pair of inserts are constructed with plastic, expanded polystyrene, wood or aluminum.

10. The water heater appliance of claim 9, wherein the support pad is constructed with expanded polystyrene.

11. A water heater appliance defining a vertical direction, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the water heater appliance comprising:

an outer shell extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction;

a tank;

an inlet conduit extending along the vertical direction into the tank at the top portion of the outer shell;

an outlet conduit extending along the vertical direction into the tank at the top portion of the outer shell;

a support pad positioned at the top portion of the outer shell; and

a pair of inserts disposed within the support pad, a first one of the pair of inserts positioned on the inlet conduit, a second one of the pair of inserts positioned on the outlet conduit, a density of the inserts of the pair of inserts is greater than a density of the support pad.

12. The water heater appliance of claim 11, wherein the support pad includes a top panel and a side wall, the top panel positioned on the outer shell at the top portion of the outer shell, the side wall extending downwardly from the top panel along the vertical direction, the side wall also extending around the outer shell along the circumferential direction.

13. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the outer shell and the side wall define a gap along the radial direction and each insert of the pair of inserts and the support pad define a space along the radial direction, the space being smaller than the gap.

14. The water heater appliance of claim 13, wherein the gap is less than one eighth of an inch and the space is less than one sixteenth of an inch.

15. The water heater appliance of claim 11, wherein each insert of the pair of inserts has a top surface, the support pad also having a top surface, the top surfaces of the pair of inserts positioned at or below the top surface of the support pad along the vertical direction.

16. The water heater appliance of claim 15, wherein the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit are positioned below the top surfaces of the pair of inserts along the vertical direction.

17. The water heater appliance of claim 11, wherein the inserts of the pair of inserts are cylindrical.

18. The water heater appliance of claim 17, wherein an outer perimeter of the support pad is square.

19. The water heater appliance of claim 11, wherein the inserts of the pair of inserts are constructed with plastic, expanded polystyrene, wood or aluminum, the support pad constructed with expanded polystyrene.

20. The water heater appliance of claim 11, further comprising a sealed system for heating water within the tank, the sealed system comprising a compressor and an evaporator, the compressor and the evaporator disposed within the outer shell at the top portion of the outer shell.