Replacing anelectric water heater requires a permit in most areas, whether the installation is performed by a professional or by a homeowner. Unscrew and disconnect the vent shaft at the top of the heater. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Find the right water heater for your needs. Water Heater Connector, Sioux Chief Grip 18 x 3/4 in. He's been writing for The Spruce on residential wiring and home installation projects for over eight years. WARNING! There are many rooms that aren't suitable for a water heater: A room with carpeting isn't a good idea because it's very difficult to clean up if it gets dirty. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce. By using our site, you agree to our. 3/4 x 3/4 in. The thermostat(s) on this water heater have been factory set to approximately 120F to reduce the risk of scald injury. Do not drain the discharge pipe into the drain pan; instead, pipe it to an adequate drain. Use an appliance dolly with straps to wheel out the old water heater and wheel in the new one. In this case, you may need to call a professional to reconfigure the venting for your new water heater. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Placing a water heater on blocks is needed for safety reasons. Insulating the hot water pipe can increase energy efficiency. Ensure that wire sizes, type, and connections comply with all applicable local codes. Water Heater Connector, Jones Stephens 3/4 x 18 in. If you do wish to change the temperature, see Adjusting the Temperature in Standard Electric Troubleshooting. Disconnect the vent pipe from the draft hood on the top of the heater. Installing a water heater behind a locked door is dangerous, because if you lose the key, it can become a big problem. Most Temperature and Pressure (T&P) Relief Valves are installed at the factory. In older, less air-tight homes, this is rarely a problem. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Then, solder on new copper adapters to the water intake on top of the heater to make the connections secure. Dry the pipe connections so that any drips or leaks will be apparent. (Any changes to gas lines should only be done by a licensed professional.). 2022 Use two or more people to remove or install a water heater if you don't have an appliance dolly. With superior services, our premiere loyalty program and cutting-edge technology solutions, we provide you with what you need in order to set your business apart from others. This article has been viewed 18,172 times. Failure to do so can result in back or other injury. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. After that, align the gas line and valve and connect them together. Conventional Water Heating Systems. SharkBite offers bothbraidedandcorrugatedflexible water heater hoses with or without ball valves. His home repair articles for The Spruce span more than 10 years. If your region is subject to earthquake danger, there may be brackets or straps that need to be secured to hold the water heater in place. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Almost all leaks occur at connections and are not a tank leak. Use a pipe wrench to get the temperature and pressure relief valve fully tightened. In some communities, shared venting with a chimney or flue that also serves a furnace (shown here) is no longer allowed. However, if your old water heater did not provide enough hot water, you can consider going with a larger unitchanging from a 40-gallon to a 50-gallon unit, for example, though there must be enough space for the larger heater, the flue size must be correct with proper pitch, and the supplied gas line must be adequate to the heater size. A water heater has pipes that are connected to all devices that use water, such as a sink, washing machine, and bath. Our water heater connectors come in corrugated stinless Next, the power source for the water heater needs to be disconnected. The attic is an unsafe spot since it will flood the house if it leaks. For water heaters that are fed by a solar water heating system (or any other pre-heating system), always install a Thermostatic Mixing Valve or other temperature limiting device in the inlet water supply line to limit water supply inlet temperature to 120F. Open the drain valve slowly so that sediment does not clog the drain valve. It's safer and more convenient. If your code requires that you change from a simple atmospheric vent to a direct vent or powered direct vent, this is a more complicated job. This step varies depending on your water heater's location and piping. Check and calibrate your SharkBite PEX Copper Ring Crimper tool. Use copper, PEX or CPVC pipe. Water Heater Connector, Viega North America PureFlow 18 x 3/4 in. Install it to allow for complete drainage. The garage, basement, and outdoor cabinet are the safest places. If a water heater is installed outside the house, what room should be on the opposite side? Find the right water heater for your needs. Install compression fittings on both water lines and tighten. If you noticewater dripping from the pipe nipple connection use a wrench to further tighten. When done incorrectly, exhaust gases (including carbon monoxide) can remain inside the home, which is why this project is best left to professionals. Its minimum bend radius of 2.5 gives you the confidence to bend it for Using SharkBite to install a hot water heater is fast, efficient and reliable. If there is a steady flow, this means that the tank is full. Push to Connect Water Heater Connector, Sioux Chief 18 x 3/4 in. Outside drains could freeze and obstruct the drain line. Set the water heater in the drain pan, taking care not to damage the drain pan. Disconnect the hot and cold water linesfrom the water heater, using a pipe wrench or channel-lock pliers. Be sure the pipe is free of scratches and debris. 1/4" nut driver and/or Phillip's screwdriver and wrench. How To: Wrap SharkBite Fittings for Underground Installation. Turn power ON at the circuit breaker (or replace fuses). Connect the homes two power wires to the water heaters two service wires. Use plastic coverings to secure the union of the gas valve and the gas intake. Because professional installation often adds $500 or more to the cost of replacing a standard tank-style water heater, many homeowners naturally look to the possibility of installing it themselves. Push the fitting to the insertion mark you just made. Another function of the bonding wire is to maintain the electrical grounding pathway on the water pipes. Eachclampshould be on a smooth part of the pipe and not too close to any fittings; the pressure of the clamp may stress soldered joints and valve connections. Let the tank drain completely, then turn off the valve and remove the hose. Install a suitable drain pan that is piped to an adequate drain. He specializes in estimating as well as design and engineering for plumbing systems, and he works for one of New York's largest union plumbing construction companies. However, they are often difficult to access, located in confined spacesor tight closets. Do not place any valve or other restriction between the tank and T&P Relief Valve. Privacy&Security| If they don't line up, elbow joints are necessary to get the pipes to connect correctly. For homes with plastic pipe, use threaded connectors suitable for the specific type of plastic pipe used: CPVC or PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). If you still cannot get a good seal without bubbles, call the gas company or a plumber for assistance. WARNING! Ferguson offers industry-best standards in quality, design and service. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. NOTICE: You must remove all the air from the tank and allow the tank to fill completely with water before connecting electrical power. Watch this short video to see how that's done. Let the water run full stream for THREE MINUTES to get all of the air out of the tank. Use fittings appropriate for the type of pipe in your home. It all depends on the layout of the house. For a gas water heater: Make sure the valve on the main gas line is turned off, then disconnect the gas line from the gas control valve on the water heater. Finally, turn on your water and check the hot water heater connections. Easyflex water heater connectors are flexible and durable which allows reliability in any working conditions. Install the discharge pipe. This gas tube may be a flexible tube coated with vinyl, bare soft-copper tubing, or sometimes (with older water heaters) a rigid black-pipe connection. If the draft hood is in good shape, you may be able to reuse it with the new water heater. All Rights Reserved. Make sure that you connect the hose properly to prevent the scalding water from coming in contact with your skin or eyes. This allows any debris in plumbing system to be washed out of the pipes. WARNING! If it leaks, the water will run outside or below the ground. Never turn the temperature of the heater above 120F (49C) or your water heater could both become damaged and the water will be too hot to use. They can be connected close together if you want. Water Heater Connector, Jones Stephens Plumbite 3/4 x 3/4 FIP x 24 in. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Connect the cold water supply using a 3/4" NPT threaded adapter to the outlet connection on the water heater marked C (COLD). Our flexible water heater connectors are available in stainless steel and copper, and come in various lengths and configurations. For more tips, including how to set up an electric water heater, read on! You may need to assemble various threaded adapters, short lengths of pipe, and union fittings to join the water heater nipples to the cold and hot water pipes. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Join our mailing list to receive our newsletters. To reduce the risk of property damage, serious injury or death, read and follow all labels on the water heater and the safety instructions in the printed owner's manual. Copyright Water Heater Connector, Sioux Chief Grip 11 x 3/4 in. If your area has particularly hard water or if your city requires it, attach a plastic lining "nipple" to the top of the intake valve to further regulate the water quality. Make sure the opening is pointing towards the ground. Terminate the discharge pipe at least 1" and a maximum of 6" above a floor drain or outside. What room should a water heater be installed in? Connect the circuit wires to the water heater leads, using wire connectors. Do Not Sell My Personal Information| Get Started to create a new Ferguson account. Turn off the water at the home's main water shutoff valve or at a branch shutoff valve controlling the cold water running to the water heater. Stainless Steel FIP Water Heater Connector with Integrated Dielectric Sleeve, BrassCraft ProCoat 18 in. In most cases, the circuit is served by a 30-amp, double-pole circuit breaker. 2022 When the water heater is in place, screw a new temperature and pressure relief valve into its hole, which looks like a large circle with an input slot. Attach a hose to the drainage pipe and let the water flow into a drain. Water Heater Connector, Jones Stephens PlumBest LTConnections 12 x 3/4 in. Consider hiring a removal service if you lack the ability to bring it yourself. Find the right water treatment products for your needs. Attach galvanized plastic-lined nipples to the cold water inlet and hot water outlet openings on the top of the water heater. Install Thermostatic Mixing Valves at each point of use to reduce the risk of scalding. Quick Guide to Installing a Baseboard Heater, Replacing a Heating Element in an Electric Water Heater, Converting a 4-Prong Dryer Cord to Fit a 3-Slot Outlet, Troubleshooting Checklist for an Electric Water Heater, 240-Volt Baseboard Heater Circuit Requirements, Thermostat, and Wiring, How an Electrical Circuit Breaker Panel Is Wired, How to Install a Line Voltage Thermostat for a Baseboard Heater, Troubleshooting Common Electric Water Heater Issues, Different Types of Household Electrical Wire, How to Add an Outdoor Outlet With an Existing Circuit, This Is What to Expect With a Single-Pole Circuit Breaker. Easyflex water heater connectors are the perfect fit for boilers, water heaters and tankless water heaters. Check inlet and outlet connections and water pipes for leaks. Update your cookie settings to view this content. Each pair of thermostats and heating elements has screw terminals that are connected to wire leads in the water heater. Do not reuse the old one. Enable Performance and Targeting Cookies to view this content. Water Heater Connector, Jones Stephens PlumBest LTConnections 24 x 3/4 in. Keep the drain valve in the front as best as you can to easily drain out water later on in the water heater's life. It may take several hours for a tank of cold water to heat up. Check water temperature at several points of use in your home (for example, bathtub faucet, shower, or lavatory sink) and adjust the Thermostatic Mixing Valves as needed. Electric water heaters require a 240-volt dedicated circuit, which serves only the water heater and no other appliances or devices. Or, for a shorter water heater, you may need to lengthen the vent by adding an additional vent pipe segment. It may require some sweat-soldering with a torch if you have copper pipes, but there are compression fittings, grip-fit (SharkBite) fittings, and PEX fittings that can also work with different types of plumbing pipes. The hot water from a washing machine is less likely to come in contact with a person and burn them. The circuit wiring typically includes a 30-amp double-pole breaker and 10-2 non-metallic (NM) or MC cable. If the heater works properly, light the pilot light and set the heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to finish the installation. RWC Last Updated: July 24, 2022 There should be specific parts and instructions for the new water heater. In any case, if you need a bonding wire, it usually consists of a 6 AWG bare copper wire connected toa ground clamp on each of the hot and cold water pipes. Verify there is adequate access and space around the water heater for future maintenance. The field-proven design of our hot water heater connections is simple, secure and versatile enough to match all your installation requirements. Cut both of the water pipes, but leave them a little longer than the measurement. Although you won't need to deal with the thermostats or heating elements during a simple replacement of an electric water heater, it's helpful to know that electric water heaters also include inner wiring that runs from the wire connection box down along the side of the tank to two different heating elements, each controlled by its own thermostat. Because of the increased risk from scalding, if you set the water heaters thermostat(s) higher than 120F, Thermostatic Mixing Valves at each point of use are recommended to reduce the risk of scalding. Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. Save time shopping for the products you need for your next job. range from " to 2 internal diameter and are ideal for water heaters, tankless water heaters and boilers. References. Turn on a hot water tap at a remote location in the house, then turn on the cold water supply valve to the water heater and let the water heater tank fill with water. Water Heater Connector, Sioux Chief PowerPEX 18 x 3/4 in. In most houses, it is placed near the garage or laundry room. Switch off the appropriate breaker in the breaker box, then use anelectrical voltage testerto make sure that the circuit is off by testing at the water heater. For a gas heater, make sure the main gas valve is opened and confirm that the pilot igniter is working properly, following the manufacturer's directions. Repeat on the hot wateroutletside. The door surrounding the water heater should be covered and fully secured at all times. Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. Be sure cover is secured to reduce the risk of fire and electric shock. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve near the bottom of the water heater. Jessica Wrubel has an accomplished background as a writer and copy editor, working for various publications, newspapers and in public libraries assisting with reference, research and special projects. The draft hood is usually connected to the vent pipe with three or four sheet metal screws. Now, connect the cold water pipe to the inlet nipple on the water heater and the hot water pipe to the outlet nipple. Consult the installation instructions. Installation involves wrapping the threads with plumber's pipe-seal tape, then threading the nipples into the openings and tightening them with channel-lock pliers or a pipe wrench. Working on an energized circuit can result in severe injury or death from electrical shock. Install a Thermostatic Mixing Valve at each point of use (for example, kitchen sink, bathroom sink, bath, shower) per the valve manufacturers instructions. The flexible tubes then fit between them with coupling nuts that screw onto the adapters. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. All rights reserved. Opt for a copper version of the relief valve to keep the lines clean, as copper has antibacterial properties. When replacing a water heater, it's a simple matter of making sure the jumper connections are in place after you finish installing the new water heater. Clean the pipes beforehand with steel wool if you want to reduce the amount of buildup in the water heater, but it is not required as there is only a little bit of deposit that could get into the heater from copper tubing. Cut the pipe as cleanly and squarely as possible. It is best to pre-drill the holes into the draft hood so you can align the vent shaft with the draft hood easily. If you are using the installation kit with flexible connectors, measure both of the water lines. Most people should call a pro for this work. Check wires with a volt meter or circuit tester to make sure power is off. Stainless Steel FIP Water Heater Connector with Integrated Dielectric Sleeve, BrassCraft ProCoat 24 in. document.write(intYear); Do not use any other type of pipe, such as PVC, iron, flexible plastic pipe, or any type of hose. WARNING! This will make it easier to disconnect the water heater should you need to make repairs or replacements in the future. If you're planning to replace an existing electric hot water heater, now is the time to make sure the original water heater wiring is up to snuff. And many flexible connectors contain built-in dielectric fittings. Use the new T&P Relief Valve supplied with your new water heater. Tighten fittings or repair any leaks. Use only copper, PEX, or CPVC pipe. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. Place theother end of the hose over a floor drain or run it outdoors. This is often required in modern air-tight homes, to prevent the gas and airflow through the water heater flue from creating an air pressure difference, which can draw gases from the water heater burner into the home. If one is not already installed, install a manual shutoff valve in the cold water line that supplies the water heater. Different electric heaters have very different wire configurations and colorations, so to prevent damage to your heater's circuitry and to prevent electrocuting yourself, consider calling an electrician or electrical inspector to check your work or connect the wires for you. Discover more than 100,000 products online at Ferguson today! In this system, a metal draft hood at the top of the water heater channeled both exhaust gases and a small amount of fresh air from the room up a metal flue through the roof or to a common chimney. Any room you want. https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/plumbing/tips-on-removing-and-replacing-a-water-heater, https://www.hot-water-heaters-reviews.com/removing-the-old-water-heater.html, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/water-heater/replacing-a-water-heater/view-all/, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-replace-water-heater, https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a173/electric-hot-water-heater/. Install insulation (or heat tape) on the water pipes, especially if the indoor installation area is subject to freezing temperatures. For many years, the standard means of venting combustion exhaust gases for a gas-burning water heater was with atmospheric venting. CAUTION: Water heaters are heavy. Why does the water heater have to be on blocks? WARNING! If you don't see one, consult the manufacturer's guide. This requires attaching male-threaded adapters to both the water heater nipples and the ends of the hot and cold water pipes. Use suitable wire nuts or other approved means to make the power connections. Here we will look at the basic electrical requirements only, as they apply to a standard tank-style electric water heater, not an on-demand (tankless) water heater. Then, determine the size: 30-, 40-, 50-gallon, or larger?
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