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The hot water heater is the
unsung hero in the home. It’s what allows us to take hot showers. It enables
us to wash our dishes and clothes with warm sudsy water. And for some homes,
it provides the hot water that circulates through our radiators. Only when a
hot water heater fails do we fully appreciate how much we depend upon it.
Replacing a hot water heater is fortunately not as difficult as one might
think. They are admittedly bulky, however emptied they are not that heavy to
carry away. Nor is it too complicated to hook a new one.
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Buying a
Replacement Hot Water Heater
The first thing you need to do when
replacing a hot water heater is to purchase a replacement one. Ideally you
should purchase one of the same type and size as the existing one. This will
immensely help speed up the replacement time as you will most likely not have to
modify the existing water and electric/gas/oil hookups. Also the venting pipe
will also most likely not require modification to connect it to the hot water
heater replacement unit. When purchasing a new hot water heater its best to buy
it at a plumbing supply store as they typically have the most knowledgeable
people that can help you find the exact replacement. Just make sure to write
down the specific manufacturer and model number on your existing hot water tank
before visiting them.
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Hot Water Heater Alternative
Technologies
If you plan to hire a plumber to install a replacement hot water heater then you
may want to look into more modern alternatives for hot water heaters. Today’s
latest hot water heater technology includes on-demand hot water heaters, tankless
hot water heaters, solar water heaters, and geo-thermal hot water heaters. All
of them can help you save a small fortune on hot water heating bills. Keep in
mind that a traditional hot water heater is one of your home’s most energy
consuming appliances.
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Replacing Hot Water Heater
To replace the old hot water heater, start by turning off power and fuel to it,
as well as the water supply source. Make sure to tape and label every wire or
pipe you disconnect from the old hot water heater to enable an easier
installation of the new one. Also, you may want to let the hot water heater sit
for a couple of hours so that the water in it can cool down a bit.
If you have a gas hot water heater system you may want to call in a service
technician from the gas supplier to properly disconnect and cap off the gas line
while you do the rest of the hot water heater replacement. You can then call him
back when you’re read to have the gas line reconnected.
After disconnecting all the electric/fuel hook ups to the old hot water heater
tank, drain the tank by hooking a garden hose up to the drain valve at the
bottom of the tank and placing the other end of the hose outside the home. If
there is a floor drain underneath the tank simply direct the other end of the
hose into the drain. Be careful when draining the water from the tank to not
scald yourself, or any delicate plants or vegetation outside the home. Also,
turn on a couple of hot water faucets inside the home to help with the draining
process. Ideally you should turn on a hot water faucet closest to the hot water
heater.
After the tank has fully drained you can then disconnect
or cut away the water supply line pipes that feed and exit the hot water
tank. You may need a hack saw or a pipe cutter to cut away the old pipes
if they are soldered directly into the hot water heater. With the tank
emptied and its connections all removed, you and another pair of hands
should easily be able to lift and remove the old tank.
To install the replacement hot water heater make sure to carefully
follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. In general make sure the new
tank is positioned exactly where the old one was. It should sit level
and whenever possible have its connections lined up appropriately with
the various wires and pipes that will connect to it. |
Photo by Mark Donovan |
Make the electrical and plumbing connections as appropriate. Make sure to use
plumbers tape on any PVC pipes to ensure a leak free system. If soldering /
sweating any copper pipes, make sure that all fittings and connections are fully
cleaned and fluxed prior to applying heat and solder to the joints. If you have
a gas hot water heater, call in the gas service technician to reconnect the gas
line.
Once the new hot water heater is fully connected into the home, turn on a hot
water faucet nearest the hot water heater. Then turn on the water supply line to
the hot water heater tank and let it fill up until water is running freely out
of the hot water faucet. This will ensure no air gets trapped into the hot water
plumbing system. Then shut off the hot water faucet and turn on the electricity
and gas/oil to the hot water heater to have it begin heating water. With any
luck you’ve successfully replaced your hot water heater.
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