How to Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater

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Installing a tankless hot water heater in your home can reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat your water by as much as 50 percent. You will be benefiting both the environment and your budget with this install. It is not easy to do, and you need to be comfortable with dangerous power tools, including a torch or soldering iron. If you are a good do-it-yourselfer, though, you can do this project on your own and save the cost of hiring a professional plumber.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Tankless water heater
Garden hose
Pipe cutter
Propane torch
1/2 inch copper pipe
3/4 inch copper pipe
Solder
Soapy water

How to Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater

Step1

Turn off the water line coming into your house. Then, turn off the water flow to your existing water heater. The water heater should have a shut off valve that you can use to do this.

Step2

Drain the water from your current water heater by attaching a garden hose to the spigot at the bottom. Run the water to the drain in your floor or out the window and into the drainage ditch outside of your home.

Step3

Disconnect the heat source from your existing hot water heater. If you have a gas heater, close the supply valve. If you have an electric water heater, unplug it.

Step4

Remove the old water heater. Dispose of it properly, which may require you to pay a disposal service to take it.

Step5

Take the tankless hot water heater out of the box and put all of the materials in a safe place. Choose a location for the water heater, making sure to consider the building codes in your area. Mount the heater according the the instructions it came with.

Step6

Connect the new water lines to your tankless hot water heater. Use solder and a propane torch to seal any connections. Use the appropriate sized copper pipe to make any necessary extensions.

Step7

Connect the heat source to the water heater. For an electric hot water heater, simply plug it into the wall. For a gas hot water heater, connect it to the gas supply line and open the valve. Then, light the pilot light.

Step8

Check for gas leaks with a gas tankless hot water heater. To do this, spray the gas connection with soapy water. If it bubbles, you have a leak and need to turn off the gas, leave the house, and contact a professional.

Tips & Warnings

If you are using an electric water heater, choose one that runs on standard voltage. Many units take a different voltage, and this will require you to hire an electrician to add a new outlet to your home.
Make sure that you have enough electricity to run the tankless hot water heater. You will probably need 3 free circuits. If you do not have enough, contact an electrician to have another box installed.
Always check the laws in your city about disposing of hot water heaters when removing your old unit.
Never place your tankless hot water heater near combustible items. This is a huge fire hazard!
Always check buidling, plumbing, and electrical codes before installing a tankless hot water heater. You can get this information by calling your utility provider or your building code enforcement office.