By using our site, you agree to our. If the water heaters need to be moved up and down basement stairs, it is best to have a helper to assist you with this work. Let the water run full stream for THREE MINUTES to get all of the air out of the tank. Remove the cover on the electrical junction box on the top of the water heater.
SharkBite hot water heater connections are approved for use on electric or gas water heaters with a flu vent. 
There might be harmful bacteria growing inside the pipes. The first stepto learning how to install a new water heater is to examine the type of heater you already have. After that, align the gas line and valve and connect them together. 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. Water Heater Connector, Jones Stephens PlumBest LTConnections 18 x 3/4 in. If a water heater is installed outside the house, what room should be on the opposite side? Place theother end of the hose over a floor drain or run it outdoors. Water Heater Connector, Jones Stephens PlumBest LTConnections 15 x 3/4 in. Do not install any reducer in the discharge pipe. Remove any remaining unions with a pipe wrench, tubing cutter, or screwdriver. Cut the water heater box along the dotted lines. 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/. 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.
Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. Opt for a copper version of the relief valve to keep the lines clean, as copper has antibacterial properties. Easyflex water heater connectors are the perfect fit for boilers, water heaters and tankless water heaters. The bonding jumper may be required to ensure a reliable bond in a metal water piping system. 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. Open a hot water faucet and allow the water to run until it flows full stream. Yes, you can install a water heater outside your house. Place the heater on a lifting trolley or forklift, place it in your truck, and bring it to the proper disposal facility. 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. You will not need to deal with these connections unless you are replacing a thermostat or heating element on an existing water heater. After all of the air has been removed from the tank, close the hot water faucet and replace the aerator. Save time shopping for the products you need for your next job. 3/4 x 3/4 in. Insert the conduit connector and power wires through the hole in the junction box cover. Do not reuse the old one. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
3/4 x 3/4 in. If power is applied before the tank is completely full of water, the upper element will burn out (dry fire). WARNING! Install wiring in an approved conduit (if required by local codes). Most people should call a pro for this work. As stated above, this project is best left to professionals. 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. NOTICE: You must remove all the air from the tank and allow the tank to fill completely with water before connecting electrical power. If you did not already have them, now is a good time to install flexible tubes to connect the hot and cold water pipes to the water heater. Let the tank drain completely, then turn off the valve and remove the hose. 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.
Sioux Chief Short-N-Swivel 3 x 3/4 in. Water Heater Connector, Sioux Chief PowerPex 18 x 3/4 in. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. WARNING! In some houses, the water heater is located on the other side of the laundry room, and the water heater pipes connect directly to the washing machine. If you don't see one, consult the manufacturer's guide.
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. 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. Please try again or call us at 800-721-2590.ID: 478986833, Copyright 
Placing a water heater on blocks is needed for safety reasons. Water heaters are a crucial componentin home comfort. For homes with plastic pipe, use threaded connectors suitable for the specific type of plastic pipe used: CPVC or PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). Discover more than 100,000 products online at Ferguson today! 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. The attic is an unsafe spot since it will flood the house if it leaks. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Always follow local ordinances when it comes to working with gas lines. Connect the home's bare copper or green ground wire to the water heater's green ground screw. 
Turning on hot water throughout the home activates the heater, even if the pilot light is not on, so you are able to check the pipes for leaks much more easily. It is your responsibility to ensure that the installation complies with national, state and local building, plumbing, and electrical codes. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Only use a full-flow ball or gate valve compatible with potable water. Get Started to create a new Ferguson account. Should the water heater and washing machine be connected close together? Use fittings appropriate for the type of pipe in your home. 
Some experts believe a bonding jumper helps water heaters last longer by reducing corrosion in the tank caused by electrolysis. The discharge pipe must withstand 250F (121C) without distortion. Using SharkBite to install a hot water heater is fast, efficient and reliable. This allows any debris in plumbing system to be washed out of the pipes. The garage, basement, and outdoor cabinet are the safest places. Enable Performance and Targeting Cookies to view this content. This always includes atemperature and pressure relief valve(TPR valve) and discharge drainpipe. As part of the permit process, the work will be reviewed by an inspector to ensure that both the electrical and plumbing connections are done properly and safely, and that the installation complies with the local code requirements. Watch this short video to see how that's done. Do not use iron or PVC pipe. Water heaterhoses with ball valvesprovide a shut-off on the supply side of the water heater. Stainless Steel corrugated connectors can be used as an alternative to hard piping. When done incorrectly, exhaust gases (including carbon monoxide) can remain inside the home, which is why this project is best left to professionals. References. Doing so saves you from having to play detective on soil contaminants. WARNING! 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. Turn the cold water supply back ON and fill the tank. Push to Connect Water Heater Connector, Sioux Chief 18 x 3/4 in. Use a pipe wrench to get the temperature and pressure relief valve fully tightened. Easyflex water heater connectors are flexible and durable which allows reliability in any working conditions. Why are some rooms more suitable for water heaters than others? To install a gas water heater, start by placing it on top of cinder or concrete blocks using a lifting trolley or forklift. Do not drain the discharge pipe into the drain pan; instead, pipe it to an adequate drain. Read the printed installation instructions, including all of the safety warnings, before beginning. Other houses have them further apart, but they're still connected and work. NOTICE: Do not solder pipes while they are attached to the water heater. 2022 The internal diameters
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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. Make sure to connect the vent per the manufacturer's instructions and local code requirements. Last Updated: July 24, 2022 Shop our assortment of professional-grade water heaters and pick up
today. Use a flexible gas line if applicable and allowed by local code. CAPrivacyRights| Water heaters produce carbon monoxide, which can be very dangerous if released in a small, closed area with no ventilation. To remove air from the tank and allow the tank to fill completely with water, follow these steps: Remove the aerator at the nearest hot water faucet. If you have no hot water after two hours, refer to the troubleshooting section. The flexible tubes then fit between them with coupling nuts that screw onto the adapters. 3/4 x 3/4 in.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Position the draft hood at the top of the water heater, centered over the exhaust opening, and slip it into the vent pipe. Connect the gas or electrical sources, as applicable: For a gas water heater: Connect the gas line to thegas burner control valve. That means there is likely something wrong with the pipes. 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. This step varies depending on your water heater's location and piping. Find the right water heater for your needs. Don't turn on the electricity until you are sure there are absolutely no leaks in the heater, or you could destroy the electrical components and have to replace them. Make sure the home's hot and cold water pipes are connected to the correct hot and cold water fittings on the water heater. For more tips, including how to set up an electric water heater, read on! Terms of Sale| 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. The drain pan must be at least two inches wider than the diameter of the water heater. 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 galvanized plastic-lined nipples to the cold water inlet and hot water outlet openings on the top of the water heater. Install it to allow for complete drainage. The water heaters inlet and outlet connections contain non-metallic parts which could be damaged. Attach a hose to the drainage pipe and let the water flow into a drain. In cold climates, terminate the discharge pipe inside the building to an adequate drain. This rule doesn't apply to laundry rooms or outdoor areas. Measure the distance from the hot and cold supply lines to the water heater to choose the correct length connector. What room should a water heater be installed in? If it leaks, the water will run outside or below the ground. Install Thermostatic Mixing Valves at each point of use to reduce the risk of scalding. They can be connected close together if you want. It's to connect the heater to the pipes, so other rooms of the house can use hot water. 
In the absence of local codes, follow NFPA-70 and the current edition of the National Electric Code (NEC). Each pair of thermostats and heating elements has screw terminals that are connected to wire leads in the water heater. Secure it with sheet-metal screws. It's important to note that this is not a project for beginners. Use the new T&P Relief Valve supplied with your new water heater. Consider hiring a removal service if you lack the ability to carry it yourself. Water Heater Connector, Jones Stephens PlumBest LTConnections 12 x 3/4 in. 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. Why are water heaters usually installed in laundry rooms instead of bathrooms? Consult the installation instructions. Some houses have the water heater installed in a small "closet" outside the house that can only be accessed from outside. RWC Read our, Shut off the Water, and the Gas or Electricity, Disconnect the Water Heater Vent (Gas Heaters Only), Install the Relief Valve and Other Fittings, How to Replace a Leaking Water Heater Drain Valve, Tips for a Mobile Home Water Heater Replacement, Replacing a Heating Element in an Electric Water Heater, How to Install an Instant Hot Water Recirculating Pump, A Step-by-Step Guide to De-Winterizing a House, 6 Common Reasons Your Gas Water Heater May Not Be Working, The 10 Best Efficient Water Heaters of 2022, Troubleshooting Checklist for an Electric Water Heater, Use These Tips to Drain a Water Heater Properly, How to Fix Inconsistent Water Temperature, Inspect Plumbing Regularly to Prevent Expensive Problems, What to Do When Your Water Heater Is Making Noises, What You Need to Know About Venting a Hot Water Heater. Disconnect the hot and cold water linesfrom the water heater, using a pipe wrench or channel-lock pliers. Before you examine or touch the water heater wiring or electrical connections, turn off the powerto the circuit that supplies the water heater. How to properly check and calibrate your SharkBite PEX Clamp tool. The white circuit wire should be wrapped with black or red electrical tape near the connection at both ends of the circuit (at the water heater and at the breaker box), to indicate that it is a "hot" wire, not a neutral wire. In many cases, installing a new water heater will be a matter of connecting the existing flue and draft hood to the new heater, though there are factors (such as pitch and draft of the connections) that make the process much more complicated than it seems. Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. Stainless Steel FIP Water Heater Connector with Integrated Dielectric Sleeve, Jones Stephens Plumbite 18 x 3/4 in. For an electric water heater, restore power to the water heater circuit by turning the circuit breaker back on. Stainless Steel FIP Water Heater Connector with Integrated Dielectric Sleeve, BrassCraft ProCoat 18 in. But if the water pipes were hard-piped into the water heater and required cutting to remove the heater, then the job is a little more complicated.
