can i install an electric water heater myself?

If your water heater was plumbed with copper piping, you may need to cut the pipes. Then replace the junction box cover. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. CroppMetcalfe offers a full line of HVAC products and services for all of your home and business comfort needs. In this situation, its not safe to continue using your hot water heater since your water supply could be contaminated. We hope this article will helpful for you to understand the function of the water heater and also the installation process. Step:8 (connect with water supply lines and turn on the Water), Step:9 (Attach the Temperature & Pressure Discharge Pipe), Step:10 (Switch on the Power and Supply Hot water lines), Caution: if you turn on the power before the tank is filled, it can cause the electric components to dry fire, if they are not completely submerged in the water and ruin the electric heating element, So always be sure to turn on the power, the tank should be filled.

Jeff Sims, President of billyGO Plumbing Operations, says, "in addition to plumbing skills you need electrical, carpentryand heating and ventilating experience, you must know state and local building codes, obtain a permit for the workand arrange to have the city inspect the installation.. Dispose of your old water heater. Wall Mount Handheld Shower Head in Polished Chrome, Shop Stainless Steel Hilti Masonry Anchors, Shop Automatic Relocking Universal Keyless Door Locks, Everbilt Universal Appliance Brush Set (2-Pack), FIRM GRIP Large Polyurethane Grip Work Gloves (4-Pack), Liberty Essentials 5-1/16 in. If you're polite and observant, you can learn from watching and sometimes even asking how something is supposed to be done. Apply flux to the fittings and pipe, assemble, and then solder using a propane torch. Installing an electric water heater is much easier than installing a gas heater, but it's still a bit of a challenge. Open the shut-off valve on the cold-water supply to allow water into the tank. Wrap the threads several times with Teflon tape, then thread the valve onto the tank.

Connect the flexible hoses to the nipples on the water heater, For preventing the leakage, properly check the flexible hose attachments, At the nearest faucet, turn on the hot water tap and turn on the cold water supply line at your water heater, If you dont find any leakage, you can continue the process of water filling into the water heater tank, After fill-up the tank, water will start to flow out from the hot water tap, Connect the discharge pipe to the T&P Valve, for this use a male copper fitting, After that paint pipe dope onto the outside of the fitting and the inside of the valve fitting, Then attach the fitting to the T&P valve and tighten up, Clean the fitting and the end of the pipe and paint soldering flux on the inside of the male fitting and the outside of the pipe, After filling up your water heater tank with water, you can turn on the circuit breaker panel at the main power box. CroppMetcalfe's award winning line of Preferred Service Policies give you discounted repairs, priority service, peace of mind, and so much more. It's a big mistake. Align the water heater to ensure easy access to the thermostat controls.

Bathroom installations must be enclosed so air needed for combustion will not come from the living space. Air not purged from tank. 9. Open one or more faucets on the homes highest floor and run the water until it flows steadily from the faucets. If replacing an old hot water heater or installing a new one from scratch, ensure that it will have at least 6 inches of clearance on all sides for adequate ventilation. Installing a water heater without a city permit. Connect a hose to the water heater's drain valve. If your water heater isn't getting power, be sure to turn off the circuit breaker BEFORE checking the electrical connections on the water heater. The end of the pipe needs to be within 6 inches of the floor. Would have required an additional $800 to install a drain pan and run a line to the outside, line would have had to go through concrete foundation. Clean the floor where the old water heater stood. The recommended temperature setting is 120 Fahrenheit. These articles exist to scare you. Now changing over to a tankless system might take some more work. Next, thread the copper discharge pipe from the old water heater onto the new relief valve using Teflon tape on the threads. This requires that vent pipes have a slight lateral pitch to assure a natural draft occurs. Before buying a new water heater, you shouldTroubleshoot the leak if you haven't already. When sweating the remaining copper sections, its best to dry-fit everything first. We recommend using dielectric connectors to attach the flexible hoses to the hot and cold water pipes. 520 E. Southlake Blvd. Once you have the pieces in place, pull the parts apart and clean the inside of each joint and the end of each section of pipe. Once the tank is full, water will begin to flow out of the hot water tap. 6. Rub the sandpaper on the ends of the pipe for a brighter shine, Remove the cover of the junction box to access the electrical wires, Attach the ground wire to the green ground screw, Attach all the wires by wrenching them with wire connectors. This step is not covered in the video, however, it will ensure that you'll be able to safely drain the tank without being scalded. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. If these kinds of tasks make you nervous, there are plenty of reputable company's you can call to install your new water heater. But it's not impossible. However, we highly recommend using flexible hoses to make the connections. Remove the old water heater. Now disconnect the electrical wires from the top of the water heater, Also, ensure that you turned off the circuit breaker at the breaker box first, Check the wires again with a voltage detector to ensure it disconnected or not, Cap the wires off and label of them to avoid any further confusion (you can also take a picture), Disconnect the water supply (hot or cold) pipes, If it is required cut the pipes with a pipe cutter and leave as much of the pipe as possible, You can also remove the discharge pipe from the T&P valve, If the pipe is not damaged, you can reuse it again on your new water heater, After empty the tank, remove the old water heater, Move the new tank into place (it is recommended that set the new tank into a drain pan, check that your electrical supply will easily reach the tank, From preventing any mistakes, double-check these things. 923 Minters Chapel Rd., Grapevine, Texas 76051, Thanks for informing me that it's better to hire a professional when installing a water heater because improper installation could cause an explosion. This will help protect both you and your unit from electric shock. If your water heater is acting strangely and its over 10 years old, it could be time to consider replacing your unit. Its a very common question that new water heater owners always ask, Can I Install a water heater myself? We want to say that if you have any idea about the installation process of the water heater or you have already done this before and now you have decided to install a water heater yourself to save your money or to test your plumbing skills, then we dont want to stop you. Be sure to connect the bare copper or ground wire to the ground screw to ensure that the water heater is properly grounded. Also, measure the area where the old water heater fits. Its a complicated process, so we always recommend working with experienced professionals. Once the connections are made, fill the hot water heater. Southlake, TX 76092 instructables 14. Double check that you can access the panels and the drain valve for maintenance. You dont want to do this before the tank is full as this could cause the heating elements to burn out. If the water pressure has changed, remove the aerator on the faucets and remove any sediment that may have entered the line. Our 5-Star Technicians are some of the best in the industry and have the tools and training to keep you comfortable all season long. But, if you're up to the challenge, you can save yourself some money and do it yourself. with your hot water heater installation to make sure its done correctly. Annual maintenance will maintain top performance and add years to their service lives. Measure and cut the water line connections to length as needed. Not only is it easier, but it's a recommended safety feature for earthquakes.

Need help with your water heater installation? Once youve done this, youll need to remove the old tank and replace it with the new one, install all the appropriate fittings and valves, reconnect all the lines and vents, and complete your installation. For eliminating the air in the tank and plumbing attachments, open the hot water tap to run freely for a few minutes until it stops sputtering, it may take a couple of hours until your water heater heated completely, it is recommended to set the temperature to the 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you could have to wait for a couple of hours, check the discharge pipe if it is dripping, the pressure may too high. Financially speaking, many homeowner insurance policies specifically require installation be done by a licensed plumber or the coverage is void. Tighten using a pipe wrench or adjustable pliers. If you can change a faucet, connect up your barbecue to a gas tank or generally are mildly handy, you can do this. Sims emphasized that billyGO lets you set your own appointment time with a one-hour service window for all plumbing and HVAC services. Cities inspect plumbing installations to ensure the safety of anyone living in or visiting a building. Tip: If you must have soldered fittings, we recommend professional installation. Open a hot water faucet and allow the water to run until it is cold. Suite 100 If your old water heater used copper piping, you may choose to plumb it with copper piping again. From bed bugs and stink bugs, to termites and mosquitoes, trust all of your pest control needs to the 5-Star Pest Control experts at CroppMetcalfe. Dane Ericksen billyGO plumbers are certified for handling all plumbing materials. If you want to reuse your old water heaters copper piping, but its recommended to use flexible hoses instead of the older one to make the connections. Thank you CroppMetcalfe!" In addition to sounds, odors can also indicate whether or not your water heater is functioning properly. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. is in need of repair, possibly even replacement: 3. Use a screwdriver to change the thermostat temperature setting in 10-degree increments. To advise average Joe to do his own work without any practical knowledge or experience is sketchy at least and dangerous at most. Vacuum breakers and automatic shutoffs. Attach the blue-coded fitting to the cold-water inlet with the arrow facing into the water heater. Attach the hot and cold water supply lines, Also, ensure to connect the cold water pipelines to the cold water inlet on the water heater. I'll share this article of yours with him tonight to discourage him so he'd contact a hot water tank installation service instead. Step:1 (Disconnect the Electricity supply to your Water heater). 12. If youre having issues with your hot water supply, check the thermostat settings on your hot water heater to see if the high-temperature limit is too low.

I just had my semi-annual maintenance done, and I wanted to thank George for the truly outstanding service, professionalism, and excellent advice. Its a complicated process, so we always recommend working with experienced professionals. 2. (128mm) Center-to-Center Satin Nickel Steel Bar Drawer Pull (10-Pack). All Rights Reserved. It includes basic information on positioning the new water heater, connecting the electrical supply and adjusting the thermostat. Any monkey can swap out a hot water heater. If installed wrong, water will not flow properly or at all. Wrap the water heater heat trap fitting pipe threads using Teflon tape. If it is your first purchase of a water heater and you have no old one, you can ignore steps 1 to 5. For this, we want to discuss the whole installation process and the precautions that should be taken while installation in the following articles. Because safety comes first. Fortunately there is a grandfather clause for water heaters in a garage, and without a drain pan or drain line, so no problem when the building inspector came by to sign off the permit. We are proud to have won so many awards based on the effort of our trained professionals. This step is not covered in the video, but we recommend double-checking your plumbing before moving forward. Attach the red fitting to the hot water outlet with the arrow pointing away from the water heater. billyGO plumbers make certain your water heater is properly vented. Building codes specify dimensions required for access to the heater and minimum floor space required. I'm guessing if you're reading this article and are doubtful of your skills, then hire somebody. If youre absolutely set on installing a hot water heater yourself, youll need to shut off the power to your system. One of the truly amazing questions we get from homeowners is whether to install your own water heater. The email address and phone numbers are good ways to reach me. Combustion gasses from gas water heaters must be vented safely to the outside. billyGO gets city permits and schedules follow up inspections. Once the water runs cool, turn off the water supply to the water heater at the closest shut-off valve. All water heaters in Texas must have a corrosion-resistant drain pan 1.5-2.5 inches high. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure its done correctly. While its not usually a good idea to handle a DIY water heater installation yourself, especially if you dont have the skills and certifications of most technicians, knowing the early signs that your water heater needs replacing and how to respond to those signs can help you save money in the long run. 8. TPR valve and discharge tube. If youre not getting any hot water, check to see if youve tripped a circuit breaker, cutting the power to your hot water heater. Tip: Stand the water heater in a drain pan that will catch water and run a line to a nearby floor drain in case it ever leaks. 1. You will save time, and probably money, and avoid the safety, financial and legal risks by hiring licensed professionals to do the work, Mennenga says.

And, if you decide to install the water heater yourself, you'll need to remove your old water heater and dispose of it properly. Use a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that power is off to the hot water heater. Bubbling or boiling sounds are perhaps the most concerning as these sounds are typically caused by overheating and pressure buildup inside your water heater. a heater that is too big will cost more than necessary to do the job; an undersized heater will run too much and wear out faster. If you closed the hot water faucet in Step 1, you should open it again.

Now that the tank is full, its time to figure out how to wire an electric water heater. Some of these options contain push-to-connect fittings or compression fittings. All water heaters fail eventually. Should You Install Your Own Water Heater? Electric and gas shutoffs must be in sight. Wait a couple of hours and check the T&P discharge pipe. But if you are interested in taking challenges then you can do it yourself. When replacing a hot water heater, youre working with potentially hazardous systems that are easy to damage and can cause physical harm. After confirming that the electric supply is off, disconnect the wire from the thermostat on the water heater using a screwdriver. billyGO plumbers run diagnostic tests before making any recommendations. Copyright 2019 Greenhouse Ventures. If your needs change before then, your water heater wears out or you just want an upgrade, you can replace the electric water heater yourself. Seriously. install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Otherwise, you will have a costly, damaging leak. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Many of these fittings are directional, so find the arrows that show the correct direction for installation. If you've determined that you need to purchase a new water heater you may want to check out our buyers guide to help you find the best one to meet your needs. Need Help? To check for leaks, you can run your finger around the fittings, use a paper towel, or a dry rag. Only surprise was plumber didnt want to pull a permit, suggested I do that, which I did. Materials choices. If your old water heater used copper piping, and it was necessary to cut the pipes, you'll need to prepare the pipes using sandpaper cloth. Unsecured power and gas supply lines. When billyGO installs a water heater we assume the risk and we have the insurance to cover all contingencies, Sims says. Most municipalities allow you to do your own work. The pan must have a drain line to run the overflow water to the outside or a drain in the house. Get Service Now With the Form Below or Call 1-800-462-7677. If your old water heater used copper piping and you have cut the pipes and want to reuse it, you will need sandpaper cloth to prepare the pipes for your new water heater. Check the water heater wiring with a voltage tester to make sure that the unit is off. Installing a storage tank water heater is no average DIY project, either. Move the new tank into place. Most homeowners arent aware of current housing codes and proper installation methods, and therefore might not have the skills necessary to be sure a water heater is properly installed. If you closed the hot water faucet, open it again as well as the T&P valve. If there are no leaks, continue to fill your water heater tank with water.

No drain pan beneath water heater. Installing an electric water heater is not as difficult as you think, the most important thing in the installation process, you will understand that you should have some basic plumbing and electrical work ideas. If you notice any of the following signs, your hot water heater is in need of repair, possibly even replacement: One of the most obvious signs that your water heater isnt working as it should is if you dont have enough hot water to meet daily needs. CroppMetcalfes licensed 5-Star Technicians get the job done right. billyGO HVAC Operations President Adam Mennengasays neither plumbing norHVAC installations are good projects for DIY home handymen.

Heat trap fittings improve your water heaters efficiency by not allowing any hot water to leave the tank, or cold water to enter it when its not in use. That then raised issue of drain pan grandfathering: My in-the-garage water heater did not have a drain pan, let alone a drain line to the outside. Before starting the installation process, you need some tools and supplies to install your water heater. Open the valve and drain the tank outside. Installing in a difficult location. water heater pipe removal question connections soldered solder arrows point parts This is not covered in the video below, but you should always check that the water heater is not receiving any electricity after shutting it off at the circuit breaker before working on it. If your existing electric water heater setup is already equipped with dielectric unions at the top of the tank, disconnect the cold water supply and hot water supply at the union using two adjustable wrenches or pipe wrenches. As a result, the water heaters have gotten bigger in width and height as compared to models built prior to 2015 of the same capacity from the same manufacturer. Attach the flexible hoses to the nipples on the water heater. Plumbing codes exist for public SAFETY. You can also follow the label tags. The recommended temperature is 120-degrees. All rights reserved. If the piping has been soldered into place, use a tubing cutter to cut the pipe. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Modernise Your Home Or Business With An Electric Water Heater, All you need to know about Over Sink Water Heater, Redring Instant Electric Hot Water Tap: The Simplest Water Heating Solution, Dielectric Connectors (optional depending on plumbing fittings), Check the wiring of your water heater with the help of a, Open a hot water faucet and allow it to run until the water is cold, Now turn off the cold water supply to the water heater, Connect a hose to the water heaters drain valve. To eliminate the air in the tank and plumbing, allow the hot water tap to run for a few minutes until it stops "sputtering". Skills required include using a pipe cutter, applying even heat with a blow torchand getting solder to flow completely around the connections for a tight seal. While some hot water heater issues can be fixed with a quick repair, others may be severe enough that a full replacement is more efficient and affordable. You wouldnt want to cause yourself or your family any harm.

If you decide to install your own water heater, you should at least know the most common mistakes people make. If your current water heater was manufactured prior to 2015, check the specs of the new model to ensure it will fit in the current space. Dont reuse the one from your old tank. Consider what happens when 50 gallons of water gets dumped in your attic all at once. Many DIYers use PEX plastic tubing if they lack soldering skills because the push-fit connectors are easier to work with. Next, attach the heat trap fittings and water line connections. If you're uncomfortable working with electricity and plumbing we highly recommend hiring a professional to do the installation, in addition, they'll typically dispose of your old water heater for you. Vacuum breakers prevent a back-siphon from happening in the tank in case of suddenly reduced pressure in the water supply. Attach the ground wire to the green ground screw. Before installing an electric water heater, turn off the breaker that controls the water heater. If you need to cut the pipes, use a tubing (pipe) cutter and leave as much of the pipe as possible. Clean the pipe with Emery cloth before cutting the pipe; this will make it easier to prep for the solder connection later. But if you have never done this, we suggest you, call a professional for safety. If you choose to drain the tank while the water in it is still hot, use extreme caution when doing so. Improper venting of exhaust gasses. 7. 10. As a plumber, I have seen simple things like slip joint plumbing drains go horribly wrong because the average Joe doesn't understand how they work. Next, youll need to detach the electric supply and water lines from the old water heater. If you have taken the photo of the previous wire connection, you can use that as a guide and connect the wires in the same way. Be sure that you turned off the circuit breaker at the breaker box first. Call or contact us online to schedule hot water heater service today. When the electrical connections are made and all access plates are reinstalled, restore power by turning the circuit breaker back on. Check with your local sanitation or recycling company for information on how to discard it in accordance with local ordinance. Disconnect the electrical wires on the top of the water heater. Our reply is short and sweet: dont. If the T&P discharge pipe is in good repair you can remove it from the T&P valve and reuse it on your new water heater. Follow the manufacturers guidelines and local code requirements to ensure the location meets minimal clearances for combustible materials. Shut off the water supply and power to your water heater, and call a professional technician to inspect the issue. Turn on the nearest hot water faucet and allow it to run until the water runs cool. Water heaters manufactured after 2015 meet new energy code requirements, which require electric water heaters with a tank to have more insulation in them. Sweat any threaded copper fitting first, then let them cool before installing them onto the heat trap fittings. DCJS #11-3056 - MD HVAC 8486 - VA-020634A - WSSC 73642 - Virginia BL #11130 - Maryland #29897, Learning how to tackle basic home maintenance is a great idea for any homeowner, but is a, While its not usually a good idea to handle a, yourself, especially if you dont have the skills and certifications of most technicians, knowing the early signs that your water heater needs replacing and how to respond to those signs can help you, Signs Your Water Heater May Need Replacing, If you notice any of the following signs, your. Open the valve and drain the tank outside (or to a floor drain, or even into buckets). Some people skip this vital step to save the price of the permit or for fear their property taxes will increase.

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