Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. What size wiring is recommended when installing a tankless hot water heater? Learn more... You will thank yourself a million times over for choosing tankless water heating. Here are the steps we took to convert from a propane powered water heater to an electric tankless water heater. Looking at a new energy efficient model would be a wise choice and an electric water heater could save you money in the long run. To create this article, 24 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. These water heaters will heat the water when you need it. If you use gas as a heat source for this appliance you should test your gas connection by spraying an adequate amount of soapy water on the union and watching for bubbles which would indicate a poor connection and leakage. As with any gas appliance, heat rises so the unit needs to be mounted upright and leveled. By using our site, you agree to our. Turn OFF the electricity to the water heater at the electrical panel. Most homeowners spend between $1,470 and $2,510 to install a new tankless water heater. If you're not afraid of doing some basic electrical work and plumbing, you can save yourself some money. You will probably need 220 volt service (as with an electric dryer) with at least 60 amps. Turn OFF the electricity to the water heater at the electrical panel. Modern traditional, gas-powered water heaters are not installed in a home with tankless retrofitting in mind. If it is an under-$200 tank then yes, but if it is over that price then no, it will be over 2 and 1/2 years until you should start noticing any problems. References. If your home needs to be rewired, it can easily add $3,000 or more to the cost of installing a tankless water heater. If you want to install a tankless water heater on the outer panel, carefully cut out the previous unit and measure the hole if it fits up for your new tankless water heater. If in doubt, call your local city building code enforcement or utility company. You can read our reviews of the best electric tankless water heaters on the market today. Due to the small size of your water heater, it can be mounted in many small spaces, including closets, under sinks, in pantries, or under stair storage areas. It will also cause deposit build up in the tankless system. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Check for leakages … All Rights Reserved. Cold water side between cold water shutoff valve and water pipe line coming in. A. O. Smith electric tankless models perform with high efficiency ratings and groundbreaking designs. Set the discharge pipe aside to use later. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Just follow the three simple steps below to choose the right model and size you need. When the water run from the open faucet, the tank is full. Here's a list of the tools and supplies you'll need to get your electric water heater installed properly: A new electric water heater is a solid performer and will likely not give you any troubles for the next few years. Select your region. When the electric tankless water heater will be in place. When you turn the hot water tap on, the flow turns on a heating element that heats the water as it runs through copper tubes. You want to line up the holes on the door match with the holes on the water heater. Shut OFF the cold water supply to the water heater. Not only will you be able to save your hard-earned money, but you will also equally hone your electrical fixing skills to handle similar tasks in your home. % of people told us that this article helped them. How to Install Electric Water Heater. Install the T&P discharge pipe to the T&P valve. You will need to insert the electrical plug into the electric socket. It is a common myth that tankless water heaters are the “plug and play” variety. Tankless water heaters cost around 2-3 times more than traditional storage tanks. Replace the junction box cover and turn ON the power at the electrical panel. The space saving of install and efficiency has triggered my query of the tankless units as my current tank is reaching end of life. Keep in mind, when the job is done, you'll have an old wate​​r heater to junk. If you’ve never installed a tankless water heater, but think it’s something you want to try, give this article a read and you can determine whether it’s within your wheelhouse. A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, saves money because it doesn’t store a large volume of heated water. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Click on the map below to identify the region where you live. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Follow the labels on the wires you marked when you removed them from your old water heater. Some units require the installer be certified to install the unit in order for the warranty to be valid. Which side, hot or cold, should the expansion be installed? This article has been viewed 286,184 times. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device. After I install this, will I have hot water immediately? I live in Canada my high gpm demand would be around 7-8gpm, inlet water temp around 37f in coldest months, would it be viable for me to install an electric tankless heater? Last Updated: December 30, 2020 Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Plug it into a wall or somewhere instead. Can I vent the tankless gas water heater through a chimney? Yes, it is possible to do the installation as a DIY project. This article has been viewed 286,184 times. Tankless Water Heater Installation. Energy and money savings are made, as these tankless units are on only when used, opposed to older tank units that cycle all the time. Region Selected. Using a tape measure, acquire the length of the water heater. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/read-you-buy-tankless-water-heater, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/valves/how-to-locate-your-gas-shutoff-valve-and-water-shutoff-valve/, https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-dispose-water-heater/, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-install-tankless-water-heater, https://www.ronhazelton.com/projects/how_to_install_a_tankless_water_heater, https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/7-tankless-water-heater-myths-you-need-to-stop-believing/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Switching to tankless water heaters isn’t that hard! Ideal locations ensure that water remains Remove the T&P discharge pipe from the T&P valve. Attach one end of the connector body to the flexible hose. X You can scrap your old heater for money. Expert advice on how to remove an old water heater, prepare for a tankless model, and install a tankless water heater. 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