Installing a tankless water heater will save space and reduce energy consumption in your home or business. Whereas traditional water heating systems are depicted to keep hot water in a tank, tankless water heaters heat water on demand when you want it. However, their installation needs proper planning and execution. A very important aspect of installing a tankless water heater should be to provide the process so you can know whether you will be doing it yourself or hiring professional services.
Before jumping into the installation, one has to know what a tankless water heater is and how it works. Unlike standard storage water heaters, in which a large tank holds continuously heated, always-ready-to-use water, a tankless unit only heats the water when it’s needed. Water is heated on demand, eliminating standby heat losses and saving you lots of energy usage, which makes it green and efficient. There are tankless water heaters in both electric and gas models with their size depending on the demand for water at home or business.
Installing a tankless water heater will require a bit of effort, and it’s always wise to do it the right way by having a proper understanding of the correct steps to take to ensure safety and optimal performance. Here, therefore, is a step-by-step guide regarding how to install a tankless water heater.
You have to collect all the tools and materials that you need to start your installation. Here are the most common ones:
Always start by shutting off water and all power to the area where the tankless water heater will be installed to prevent accidents during installation. An old water heater’s previous water source and electrical or gas connection should be cut off.
Once you have made that decision, the next step to take is to mount the unit on the wall. It is commonly recommended that tankless water heaters are mounted vertically on a wall, because of this. Make sure that there is a strong enough surface on the wall where you attach the heater so that it can hold the unit. Mount the heater according to the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure proper anchors or brackets are used to fasten the unit securely.
Next, connect the hot and cold lines to the tankless water heater. Pipe fittings and connectors come in handy for this purpose. Ensure that all connections are Teflon-taped to prevent leaks when measuring pipe lengths accurately. The right fittings and materials are crucial to preventing leaks and protecting the system’s integrity from water damage. For gas-powered models, you must also connect the gas line to the device.
If you are installing a gas-powered tankless water heater, proper venting is vital for safety and compliance with local building codes. The venting system allows combustion by-products, including carbon monoxide, to be expelled outside in a safe manner. Installation of a venting system must be carried out under the manufacturer’s guidelines and local regulations. The most critical objective to ensure is that the venting is securely and properly sealed to avoid deadly gas leaks.
If your model is electric, you will then have to make your electrical connections for the tankless water heater. Electrical connections will tie the circuit with the electrical panel to let it get the unit’s given power requirements. An electric circuit may require you to fit a new breaker into your electrical panel, whereas tankless electric devices operate on dedicated circuits due to their heavy load. If you are not familiar with electrical work, you probably want to call in a licensed electrician to avoid any danger.
It’s all about testing the system now that everything has been installed. Open the water supply and look for leaks around the pipe connections. If leaks do not occur, you may power the unit and test whether it delivers hot water well. Don’t forget to adjust the temperature settings as per your preference.
Conduct final scrutiny of the entire system with the usual checks for water leaks, gas leaks (for gas models), or electronic burns. Naturally, a twenty-four-hour inspection checking for leaks can be an excellent idea since new systems sometimes develop minute leaks that were not always obvious at first. If you do not understand something or if it seems incorrect, call a professional plumber or technician to ensure everything is working safely.
An investment in a tankless-type water heater will encourage you in energy saving, space efficiency, and giving enough hot water for your home or business. Of course, tankless water heater installation involves proper planning and the right tools to connect everything correctly and safely. If you’re worried about doing the installation yourself, count on the professionals at Hot Water Fast. They indeed provide the right water heater installation services so that you can maximize your new tankless water heater.
