By Brooke Chaplan
For many homeowners, installing a water heater is an intimidating prospect. But it doesn’t need to be! With the right research and preparation, you can easily install your own water heater. Read on to learn more about what you need to know before getting started.
Identifying Your Water Heater Type
Before you even start thinking about installation, it’s important to identify which type of water heater best suits your needs. There are two main types of water heaters: tankless and tank-style. A tank-style water heater stores hot water in an insulated tank until it is needed; a tankless system heats cold water as it passes through the unit. Both types have their pros and cons; for example, while tankless systems provide endless hot water, they are also more expensive than their tank-style counterparts. Consider the size of your home and the amount of hot water that will be needed before making a decision.
Preparing Your Space
Once you’ve selected a type of water heater, it’s time to prepare your space for installation. This begins by turning off the gas or electricity powering the existing unit—failure to do so could result in serious injury or damage. Also, take into account any local building codes that may apply—some municipalities require permits for this kind of work. Finally, be sure to measure the area where you will be installing your new unit; this will help ensure that the new model fits properly within its designated space.
Installing Your Water Heater
Now comes the fun part! Installation begins with connecting pipes from your house’s plumbing system directly to the new unit, followed by connecting any necessary wires or cables to ensure a proper power supply (if applicable). You may also need to attach additional parts, such as thermostats or air intakes, depending on the model you chose; consult with an expert if necessary or read through product manuals thoroughly before beginning installation. After all components have been installed securely, turn on both gas/electricity and test out your newly installed water heater!
With some research and preparation, installing a new water heater is well within reach for most homeowners! Identify which type best suits your needs—tankless or tank-style—before moving forward with preparing your space for installation and connecting pipes/wires from existing plumbing/power sources directly to your new unit. After installation has been completed successfully, turn on gas/electricity and enjoy all that comes with having a brand new hot-water source!
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She highly recommends looking into local plumbing companies like Mack Plumbing & Hydronics Inc for more tips on water heaters. For more information, contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
