| For this tutorial, we will assume that you are replacing your burnt out water heater. The most important thing to keep in mind when you install water heater is to keep the same fuel type. This will keep the process simple and within the limits of your DIY expertise. In addition, there will no costly alteration to your house’s gas or electrical connection because you will be using the same energy source and therefore the same connection. Following is a step-by-step overview of the process of installing a water heater. |
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| Turn Off the Utilities |
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| When you install water eater, remember to turn off the utilities. Turn off the water supply from the water mains to cutoff the supply of water to the heater. For gas fired heaters, turn off the gas supply by turning off the main gas shutoff valve. For electric heaters, either remove the fuse or switch off the circuit breaker. This is an important safety measure that should be double checked before you proceed. |
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| Drain the Water Tank. |
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| Ideally, your water tank should be empty before you disconnect anything from the heater. Be very careful when draining the water tank. The water may still be hot enough to cause scalding and burns. Always drain the tank by attaching a hose to the drain valve of faucet. This will ensure that the tank is completely empty. Tap the hose a couple of times to avoid sediment buildup. |
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| Disconnect all Plumbing from the Water Heater. |
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| Whenever you install water heater, remember to disconnect all connections to the water heater. This includes all water pies leading to and from the heater, gas or electrical connections and flues. Some electrically heated water heaters have a second element that is connected to a second wire. There may be an earth wire as well. There may be a secondary vent connected to your gas fired heater. If there is, disconnect it as well. |
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| Setup the Water Heater |
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| Set up the water heater. Make sure that there is adequate support for the heater and the tank and all pipes and connections are within easy reach. Always have someone sharing the weight of the tank and the heater. This will reduce the chance of back injury. |
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| Reconnect all Connections |
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| This is the second last and one of the most important step. Carefully connect all connections and pipes. Make sure that all seals are correctly in position and there are no dangling wires in case of electrically heated heaters. These wires can cause severe electrocution. To install water heater correctly, follow the directions of the manufacturer very carefully. |
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| Turn On the Water Heater |
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| Fill the heater with water. Make sure that there are no leaks from the tank, heater or associated pipes. Turn on the heater and put the thermostat at mild heat. Let it operate for an hour or so until you are sure that all safety valves are working properly. |
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| Whenever you install water heater, observe safety rules all the times. Use proper protection and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for installing the water heater. The procedure outlined here is for conventional water heaters. If you are planning to install the new tankless water heaters, hire a reputed contractor as these heaters require special tools for installation. |
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