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Using a similar unit will greatly
reduce the amount of modification you will have to do. Switching your water
heating system from electric to gas, or vice versa, will be more complicated and
may require you to consult a
professional in order to determine if the benefits will be worth the trouble.
Several other varieties of hot water
heaters are very efficient in certain settings. These alternative hot water
heaters include demand water heaters (eliminates the storage tank), heat pump
water heaters (uses a pre-existing heat source, such as heat from a warm room in
the house, or geothermal), tankless coil and indirect water heaters (uses your
space heating system), and solar water heaters (uses the sun’s power). Some of
these alternative water heating methods can be combined with a conventional hot
water heater for greater efficiency, but installation and incorporation can be
expensive.
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Removing the Old
Unit
To swap an old hot water heater with
a similar model, first disconnect the old unit, by turning off the water supply
and gas or unplug it if it is electric.
You may need to disconnect the
electric cord from the hot water heater itself. If this is the case, mark each
wire for easy identification later. For a gas
hot water heater, disconnect the gas
line from the pilot light controls and cap it so that no gas can escape. If you
are not confident and experienced in this sort of work you should contact a
professional.
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There should be a drain valve at the base of the hot water heater that will
allow you to remove most of the water from the tank. If there is no floor drain
underneath the tank, attach a garden hose and run it outside or to a nearby
drain, but be sure that whatever you empty the water into will not be damaged by
scalding hot water. Turning the hot
water on at another faucet in the house will let air in the system and allow it
to drain properly.
Once you drain the old hot water
heater, disconnect the water lines from the top of the tank. If the pipes have
unions (threaded fittings) you can use two wrenches to disassemble it.
Otherwise, you will need to use a hacksaw or pipe cutter. Once the water lines
are cut, you can remove the old water heater and prepare to install the new
one. Remember, if you are in an earthquake zone, you may be required to install
straps around your new water heater.
Find a Pre-Screened Heating Contractor in Your Area
Installation
Follow the instructions and
recommendations in the owner’s manual since the hot water heater you purchase
may have unique features not covered in this article. For a gas hot water
heater, reconnect the gas lines after you have the unit where you want it and
have attached the draft hood.
Next, you can connect the hot water
heater to the water lines. Threaded flex-connectors will allow for the easiest
installation and maintenance, so use those if possible. However, if your system
uses PVC pipe, which will appear to be white plastic, you will not need the
flex-connectors. Wrap any pipe threads with Teflon tape to prevent leaks.
After the water lines are attached,
with the hot water on a faucet running, open the water lines going to the hot
water heater and allow it to fill. Leave the faucet running for about a minute
after the tank is full so that no air will be trapped in the system. If it is
an electric unit, connect the wiring and turn on the breaker. For a gas heater,
turn on the gas, and light the pilot. Allow the water to get hot and you should
have ample amounts of hot water.
Although installing a new hot water
heater can be a simple procedure, it can become complicated depending on how
your current water heater is set up and how it is connected to the water lines.
It may be wise to determine exactly what each connection will require and if
this is a task you want to take on or have to repair or redo later.
About the Author: Article
written for PAV Plumbing Sydney by Jonathan Wakefield. PAV Plumbing Sydney is a
fast, clean plumbing maintenance company with a focus on customer service.
Further information on
hot water heater plumbing can be found at the
PAV Plumbing Sydney website. Call for a professional
Sydney plumber for all plumbing needs,
including hot water heater repairs and installations.
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