Method of making a water heater capable of being hung from a support

In a method of producing a water heater capable of being hung from a support, said water heater including a water tank, a water inlet positioned on said water tank, a water outlet positioned on said water tank, and a substantially cylindrical jacket positioned around said water tank so as to define a space between said water tank and said jacket;

• said jacket having an outer surface and an inner surface, said jacket and said space each having a top portion and a bottom portion, said top and bottom portions corresponding in position to each other and to a top portion and a bottom portion of said water heater when hung from said support;
• the steps which comprise:
• (a) securing a bracket assembly to said outer surface and said inner surface of said jacket at said top portion of said jacket;
• and
• (b) thereafter foaming and solidifying a foam insulation in said space between said water tank and said jacket beginning at said top portion and proceeding to said bottom portion of said space, whereby said foam insulation possesses increasing gradients of density and cell uniformity in a direction running from said bottom portion to said top portion of said jacket.