On May 8, 9:56*am, ransley wrote:
On May 7, 8:47*pm, wrote:

We have a water heater which is mounted on a small (2") stand. *We
noticed water pooling up around the base. *The cold incoming pipe has
a lot of condensation and we don't see any leaks out of the heater,
but the base if totally filled with water. *The area around the
element appears dry. *Does anyone have any ideas how we could see if
this is just accumulated condensation and/or clean it out to see if
the tank is actually leaking?

A base to contain a leak is supposed to have a hose attached leading
to a drain so you don't flood your home, but filling the base, or
visible water IS a leak, check fittings, lowering the temp might help,
put a drain hose onto the base and go shopping for a new unit. Since
you have time to shop buy by Energy Factor rating, www.energystar.gov
has all models rated for EF except Condensing units. Most sold are
still inefficient 50-60 EF, a few are 70 and condensing units around
84 EF . For the standard 60 EF only 60 cents of every dollar you spend
is going to heat water.

When only 60 cents you mean gas fired?
Cos AFIK electric hot water heaters are 100% except for any heat that
slowly leaks out through the insulated walls of the tank into the
house! And that helps heat the house which is electrically heated
anyway!
When we leave on vacation etc. we turn off the electric tank and also
(just in case of a leak) remove the water pressure. Returning after 2
weeks on one occasion the 'hot' water in the tank was still noticeably
warm; despite being completely off while we gone! So they don't lose
heat very quickly.
Pls. see also separate posting "Using electric hot water tank to heat
small living space".