Water Heater Installation – Why It’s Important to Hire a Plumber
Water heater installation is an important part of ensuring your family has enough hot water. However, it can be complicated if you don’t have the right knowledge and skills.
It’s essential to use a professional for water heater installation. Otherwise, you might face problems such as improper connections or faulty wiring. Contact Hot Water Now for professional help.
The cost of heating your water accounts for a significant portion of your household expenses, second only to your home’s energy consumption. Often, this cost is neglected until your existing water heater fails, leaving you with no hot water and a potential flooded basement. Fortunately, the cost of replacing your old water heater is typically much less than you might expect.
The type of new water heater you select will have a major impact on the overall costs associated with your installation. There are several different options available, including tank and tankless models. Some of these options are more energy efficient and may even save you money in the long run.
Your installer will need a few additional materials for the installation, including gas line adapters and piping, thread compound, solder, and copper tubing. These additional materials can add up to about $500 or more. The location of your new water heater also impacts the total cost, as moving a water heater can require extra labor and materials. For example, it will be more expensive to move a water heater up or down multiple flights of stairs than to install it in an easier-to-reach place in your home.
If you are switching from a gas to an electric water heater, it will also be necessary to install a vent pipe. This will cost between $500 and $1,000. You will also need to install a dedicated circuit for the water heater, which can increase the total cost of the project. Carpentry work can also be an added expense, especially if you need to frame a wall or open up a closed area to accommodate your new water heater.
Safety
There are a number of safety measures needed during water heater installation. These include proper ventilation, electrical wiring, and gas connections. It is also vital to follow local plumbing and electrical codes. Failure to do so can lead to faulty installations, fires, and leaks. These problems can be costly and difficult to resolve. In addition, they can put individuals at risk of injury and illness.
For example, if the water heater is powered by gas, proper ventilation is crucial to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. This is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly in large doses. The best way to avoid CO poisoning is by installing carbon monoxide detectors in the house and testing them regularly. These detectors can also alert you to any potential issues with your water heater, so you can call for professional help immediately.
Another safety measure is to properly insulate hot water pipes. This will reduce energy use and increase efficiency. It will also lower the risk of burns. It is also important to keep combustible materials away from the water heater. Finally, it is important to ensure that there is adequate access and space around the water heater for future maintenance.
Before beginning work on the water heater, it is important to turn off the gas supply. If you are installing a gas-powered water heater, it is recommended that you hire a certified technician to handle the gas connections. This will prevent accidental gas leaks, which can cause severe injuries or even death. It is also crucial to remove the water heater’s cover and to disconnect any wires that are connected to it. It is a good idea to use a voltmeter or circuit tester to make sure that the power is completely off before working on electrical wiring.
Permits
If you are replacing your home water heater, or installing one in a new construction home, most jurisdictions require a permit. This helps to ensure the work is done correctly and up to code.
A permit will also provide an opportunity for a thorough inspection. This is important to help prevent dangerous conditions that could develop such as scalding, legionella bacteria growth, fuel gas leaks, fires, explosions, carbon monoxide asphyxiation and structural stability issues.
Your plumbing contractor should be able to obtain the permit for you. They are the best equipped and skilled to understand your home’s existing water heater, and will know what type of new water heater is required to meet your city’s regulations.
In homes that use two handle faucets or other styles of non-pressure compensating or non-temperature compensating shower controls, a master mixing valve should be installed on the hot water supply line at the water heater to help minimize the risk of scalding. This will ensure that the temperature of the shower control setting is always matched to the maximum outlet temperature of the water heater.
Electrical installations for water heaters require special wiring, a dedicated circuit and a specialized circuit breaker. These are a few of the many items that can be overlooked if you try to do it yourself or hire someone who is not licensed or insured.
While some municipal requirements may need you to hire a plumber to replace your water heater or an electrician to make any necessary electrical modifications, in most cases you can do this yourself. Contact your local utilities and building department to discover the specific requirements and regulations for your municipality.
Plumbing
Plumbing involves the pipes that transport water to and from fixtures like sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, and appliances. It’s a complex system that requires professional plumbers to install, maintain, and repair. Plumbers follow a set of standards called plumbing codes, which describe the proper way to design and build plumbing networks.
If your home’s water heater is old or damaged, it may be time to consider replacing it. But before you do, it’s important to understand what goes into this project and why hiring professional replacement services is a good idea.
First, turn off the water supply to your existing water heater at the home’s main water shutoff valve or at the isolation valve on the incoming cold-water line. If you’re installing an electric water heater, disconnect the electrical wiring by removing the breaker at the circuit box.
Next, remove the old water heater and prepare the new location for installation. If you’re working in a crawlspace, make sure the floor is stable enough to support the water heater and there are no loose or rotten supports. If you’re installing a gas water heater, have a qualified technician install a new gas line to the home.
Finally, install a new temperature and pressure relief valve and discharge pipe, following the printed installation instructions. This step is essential to prevent an over-pressurized tank that could explode or contaminate your home with dangerous carbon monoxide gas. Also, code in many areas now requires a direct venting system, in which a double-chambered vent pipe carries exhaust gases outside the home and fresh air into the space. This is an important safety measure in modern, airtight homes.
Electrical
A broken water heater means no hot showers, no washing clothes, and no warm meals. Depending on your home’s needs and your hot water usage, installing a new electric or gas water heater can be a major undertaking. Luckily, you can avoid the headache of a no-hot-water nightmare by hiring an electrician for professional water heater installation services.
When a new water heater is installed, the plumber will need to reconnect the cold and hot water pipes. He will also need to install the temperature and pressure relief valve. The water heater’s vent pipe may need to be connected or disconnected, as well as the discharge drainpipe. Lastly, the plumbing professional will connect the new electrical wires to the junction box on top of the water heater. Using a noncontact circuit tester or volt meter, ensure that the power to the water heater is off before beginning work.
If your home is not already equipped with a dedicated electrical circuit, the electrician will need to add one. He will also need to check that the circuit breaker is properly labeled, and the wires are sized appropriately. The electrical connection will need to be secured with conduit or wire nuts.
Electric heaters can be easier to install, and you will have more size options available to you than with a traditional tank-type unit. This type of water heater is also a popular choice for multi-family homes. Its small size and low price make it a good fit for apartment complexes, as it offers residents quick access to hot water. The biggest drawback of electric heaters is that they tend to cost more to operate than their gas counterparts.