A tankless water heater is an excellent addition to any home and can be installed by anyone with basic plumbing knowledge and a little bit of time. However, tankless water heaters are not a DIY project for beginners. If you aren’t familiar with plumbing, or don’t have the right tools or supplies, this could be a very difficult project to complete correctly and safely. If your home has an existing water heater that has reached the end of its lifespan and you need a new one installed to meet your needs, you can also hire a plumber to complete the installation quickly and efficiently. Even if your current water heater is still working, having it replaced before it malfunctions or breaks down completely is recommended. Otherwise, you’ll incur unnecessary additional expenses on parts, materials and labor that are only meant to be used once before being replaced with a new model.
Prepare before you start
Before you begin any plumbing project, make sure you have the right supplies on hand. You’ll need to bring your tankless water heater’s model number to the plumbing store to ensure you purchase the right size and that it’s compatible with your current plumbing system. This will help you avoid purchasing an incorrect model or one that doesn’t fit properly in your home. You’ll also need to have the proper tools on hand to install the unit and ensure it functions properly. This includes several wrenches that will be needed to loosen and tighten bolts for the water inlet and outlet, as well as a blow-dryer for testing the unit after it’s installed.
Locate a tankless water heater
When purchasing a new water heater, you can either select a tanked (or “conventional”) model or a tankless unit. A tanked water heater is a large container that is installed in your home’s plumbing and stores a certain amount of water that can be drawn upon at any given time. On the other hand, a tankless water heater doesn’t have a container or tank of any sort; instead, it draws water directly from your home’s plumbing system and delivers it to the hot water supply whenever you turn on a faucet or shower head. The main difference between the two types of water heaters is that tanked water heaters are much more common and come in a wider variety of styles, sizes and costs. If you’re in the market for a new water heater, you should consider the pros and cons of each type and determine which is best for your home.
Install the water inlet, water outlet, and gas shutoff
The first step in installing your tankless water heater is to make sure you’ve turned off the water supply to your home and turned on the gas supply (if applicable). Next, you’ll need to install the water inlet, water outlet, and gas shutoff. The water inlet is typically a plug that connects to your home’s water supply. The water outlet is a pipe that connects to the main water line coming into your home, where water will be drawn from in order to travel through your house’s plumbing system and to your water heater.
Hook up your water supply line
Once you’ve installed the water inlet, water outlet, and gas shutoff, you’ll need to hook up the water supply line to your home’s plumbing system. This is where the water from your home’s water supply will be drawn from and sent to your water heater. Once you’ve connected the water supply line to the water inlet, the water will be pulled from your home’s plumbing system and into the water heater.
Attach the electrical supply line
Once you’ve connected the water supply line, you can connect the electrical supply line. The electrical supply line is used to supply power to the water heater’s electrical system. You’ll want to make sure you’re in a well-lit area and have the water heater’s electrical supply switch (typically a plug) in hand so you can plug it into a nearby wall outlet.
Test the water heater to make sure it’s working properly
Once the water supply line, water outlet, and electrical supply line are all connected and the water is flowing through the water heater, you can test the unit to make sure it’s working properly. You can use a bucket or bucket of water to test the unit, or you can purchase a tankless water heater tester online.
Confirm the installation is complete
Once you’ve tested the water heater to make sure it’s working properly, you can confirm the installation is complete by marking the water supply line, water outlet, and electrical supply line. This will help you locate each one should you need to repair or replace your water heater in the future.
Conclusion
Whether you’re installing a new water heater or replacing an existing one, it’s important to make sure you do a thorough job and avoid any potential problems down the road. This will help ensure your home has the best water supply possible and that you have a water heater that is up to date and capable of providing enough hot water for your family. If you’re in the market for a new water heater, start by researching the different types of water heaters available and determining which one is best for your home. Then, make sure you do a thorough inspection to make sure there are no signs of problems with your current water heater or your home’s plumbing system. Finally, follow our steps above to ensure you get the best possible installation and avoid any potential problems.