Recently the house was is getting a tint to it. I notice it when I give the kids a bath. And it doesn't taste same. I don't know how to explain the taste change. Also it smells funny too. Its also a change. I have a hot water heater, heated by gas.

What can cause this?
And how do I fix it?

How old is your water heater? I think you need to do a flushing of your water heater at this time. Here, you want to attach hose to drain on water heater... and with water STILL on to heater... open drain and FLUSH the system.. good two minutes or so should do it. See if that clears things up a bit... if does you may want to do this periodically every year (2-3 times a year... SOME recommend more often).. YOU should have a boiler drain cap (female hose cap) handy if you do this (sold at all home supply stores) as the drain on heater can get sediment stuck in it and drip after flushing. NO issue if you have cap, just tighten onto drain hand tight or so and no issue.

If flushing does not work... then anode rod may be gone and tank is beginning to rust through... but do not worry about that now. TRY the flush... let us know if improves.

If this helped please RATE THIS ANSWER by clicking on button above right. Thank you.

How old is your water heater? I think you need to do a flushing of your water heater at this time. Here, you want to attach hose to drain on water heater... and with water STILL on to heater...open drain and FLUSH the system..good two minutes or so should do it. See if that clears things up a bit...if does you may want to do this periodically every year (2-3 times a year...SOME recommend more often)..YOU should have a boiler drain cap (female hose cap) handy if you do this (sold at all home supply stores) as the drain on heater can get sediment stuck in it and drip after flushing. NO issue if you have cap, just tighten onto drain hand tight or so and no issue.

If flushing does not work...then anode rod may be gone and tank is beginning to rust through...but do not worry about that now. TRY the flush...let us know if improves.

If this helped please RATE THIS ANSWER by clicking on button above right. Thank you.

My hot water heater is about 7 years old now. It is gas. Its set up right next to the furnace. Connected in some way. Also the new furnace is set to be able to do the actual water heating if the hot water tank. I kind of like the idea of having a separate gas hot water tank though.
Its never been flushed
How often do you flush it?
Should I flush my furnace as well?

Do I use the emergency shut off to get this to work?

I will try to flush the system.
Is the anode rode something that can be replaced?
What does it do and what does it mean?
Thank you very much for your response!

Flush at least two times a year... some recommend more often.

Do not flush your furnace.. unless steam system and then flush according to age of furnace (old equals often, new equals seasonally... or so).

The emergency shutoff.. No... just attach hose to drain of water heater.. bottom of heater.. then flush as instructed in last post.

The anode rod can be replaced.. but may not be worthwhile at this point.. try to flush system and get back to us... then we can discuss anode rods (an anode rod is a sacrificial rod.. glad to discuss.) Also note that if you replace your water heater you may want to consider the W.A.G.S. valve if you have a finished space... here, if water heater bursts water heater water flow and gas flow are shut down automatically... but can discuss that only if you need to replace heater.

If I am not clear just say so... there are many online here that can help.

Flush at least two times a year...some recommend more often.

Do not flush your furnace..unless steam system and then flush according to age of furnace (old equals often, new equals seasonally...or so).

The emergency shutoff..? No...just attach hose to drain of water heater..bottom of heater..then flush as instructed in last post.

The anode rod can be replaced..but may not be worthwhile at this point..try to flush system and get back to us...then we can discuss anode rods (an anode rod is a sacrificial rod..glad to discuss.)

If I am not clear just say so...there are many online here that can help.

Thank you!
I do have a steam system. That is why I thought it could be a good idea. It is the first year of use with the new furnace.
I will flush the hot water tank the first day off, which is Saturday!
Thanks again!

Since you have a new steam system.. yes.. at every start of season.. drain and refill boiler a couple times... good idea. Let us know if flush makes a difference on color of domestic water (drinking/bath water). New people follow thread and learn as we go.. so please repost and let us know if this helped. Thank you.