Are you looking for an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to heat your water? An electric tankless water heater might be perfect. It eliminates the need for a bulky and expensive water storage tank, saving you money. How to install an electric tankless water heater?
Electric tankless water heaters are typically small and easy to install, so you can enjoy the benefits of this modern technology in your home with minimal effort.
Installing an electric tankless water heater is not difficult and can be done with minimal tools and a few hours of your time. This guide will provide detailed steps on how to install an electric tankless water heater, as well as helpful safety tips to keep your family safe while doing so.
How To Install An Electric Tankless Water Heater: Requirements Of Electric Tankless Water Heater
Here are the requirements for an electric tankless water heater:
Electrical Service Requirements
A whole-house electric tankless water heater is only appropriate for some residences due to the high amperage it requires.
For instance, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus requires three distinct double-pole breakers with 50A each and the main service with a minimum of 300A. To give you a better idea, a typical household property can handle 200A in total.
This could require that you replace your outdated electrical service panel with larger wires and circuit breakers, or you may need to install an entirely new one, which would cost a few thousand dollars for the electrical work.
FYI: The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus can deliver 5.45 gallons in a single minute when fed with water at 59 °F and produces 105 °F hot water when discharged.
Even though the Tempra 24 Plus is relatively smaller, two 50 amp double-pole circuit breakers and a 150 amp main service are still required.
Electric tankless water heaters near the point of use should not be a burden regarding the amount of amperage needed. Furthermore, most of these heaters require 240 volts, though some smaller models can be powered with 120V.
To determine the size of your home’s electrical service, you can check the electrical breaker box outside the residence. Additionally, you could inspect the electrical panel for a label. Alternatively, you could inquire with your electrician for further clarification.
Water Pressure Requirements
Most tankless water heaters that run on electricity can function with a pressure range between 30 and 150 psi. If the inlet water pressure is over 150 psi, it is essential to install a pressure regulating valve before the heater.
Permits
Homeowners are often able to install a water heater by themselves. Yet, most states still need a permit to inspect the heater for safety purposes. This also applies when replacing an existing water heater.
A plumbing inspector will visit your home and evaluate the installation to guarantee that the job was accomplished correctly.
How To Install An Electric Tankless Water Heater: Where To Install
Finding a suitable wall to mount a whole-house water heater on is important for installation. Position the appliance close to the area where the hot water is needed.
Whether you use a recirculation pump or not, you’ll be able to access warm or hot water more quickly when you open a tap. However, you will still need access to the main cold water line. When installing point-of-use systems, put them near the point of use, so the water arrives at the outlet quickly.
One advantage of electric water heaters is that they don’t require ventilation. This means they can be placed in smaller spaces that may not be suitable for a tank-based system, such as a bathroom or under sinks.
It’s important to note that electric tankless water heaters must typically mount upright with the electric and water supply lines running downwards. Additionally, there should be sufficient space to allow for servicing.
You should avoid locations where:
- Water heaters routinely splash with water or other liquids.
- Freezing temperatures occur.
Too much moisture and humidity can also cause issues. If you do not adhere to this, your product’s warranty will probably be invalid.
How To Install An Electric Tankless Water Heater: Tools & Supplies Required
You may need to have the following tools & supplies on how to install an electric tankless water heater:
Tools
- Flat head screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Pipe cutter
- Tape measure
- Drill + drill bits
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Pencil
Supplies
- Piping, ¾” or ½” (e.g., copper pipe or stainless steel flex pipe)
- Pressure reducing valve
- Teflon tape
- Pipe insulation
- Wire + ground
- Mounting screws and anchors (should be provided with the system)
- Shut-off valves
- Temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P)
- Sandpaper
- Double pole circuit breakers
- Recirculation pump + crossover valve
Furthermore, you could require instruments and materials for welding.
How To Install An Electric Tankless Water Heater: Step By Step
Knowing that the instructions provided here are only an illustration. The steps needed to install your particular water heater could be different, so it is necessary to read the complete product manual.
Furthermore, a wrong system setup can invalidate the warranty, reduce the system’s life expectancy, and potentially cause severe harm or fatality. Therefore, if you lack the expertise, it would be wise to hire a professional electrician and plumber to complete the installation. Taking on such a hazardous task to cut costs is not worth the potential danger.
It is important to note that some producers require that a certified specialist install their systems. Otherwise, the guarantee will immediately cancel.
If you have any queries regarding the setup, you can contact technical assistance for help.
Please Note: A certified specialist needs to accomplish this task. Additionally, the setup should fulfill all federal, state, and local plumbing and electrical regulations.
Step 1. Switch off all involved circuit breakers.
Step 2. Close the main water supply.
Step 3. Drain & disconnect the old water heater (if necessary).
Step 4. Unscrew any fasteners that keep the front panel of the unit in place. Detach the front panel cautiously. It may be necessary to detach one or more plugs before placing them to the side. You might detach one or more plugs before placing them to the side.
Step 5. Affix the electric tankless water heater to the wall using the screws and anchors in the package.
Step 6. The next step is to attach the cold water (usually on the right) and hot water (usually on the left) piping. An easy way is to use a stainless steel flex pipe (¾”) with Teflon tape.
Instead of galvanized pipe, copper or PEX tubing (which can handle high temperatures) might be perfect. In addition, sure water heaters have a filter screen at the cold water inlet that requires cleaning occasionally. Therefore, the cold water connections are removed without difficulty.
Excessive heat can cause harm to the appliance. If you need to make a slice into a tube, ensure the edges are tidy. Also, when applying solder, don’t forget to flush out the pipes before connecting them to the water heater.
- Place a shut-off valve on both the input & output sides of the heater so that you can turn off the water flow to the heater for repairs and other tasks without disrupting the water supply to the house.
- At this point, it is sensible to put a pressure-reducing valve on the cold-water side of the plumbing if the water pressure surpasses a certain level. A temperature & pressure relief valve (T&P) does not need to be installed onto a system’s hot water side unless specified by local or state regulations.
Step 7. Start running hot water from multiple sources to remove air in the plumbing system and heater. Inspect the connections for possible leakage. Shut off all outlets.
Step 8. Connect the water heater and the electric panel with the proper wiring. Confirm the wire and circuit breaker number and size by consulting the manufacturer’s instructions.
Connecting multiple small units to a single electrical circuit can be accomplished with one set of 6/2 AWG wire and a 50A double pole breaker. On the other hand, larger units may necessitate two or even three independent circuits and thicker wiring.
Measure and trim each set of wires to the necessary size, then remove the insulation. Thread the wires through the lower apertures of the water heater shell and securely attach them to the correct slots on the terminal strip (follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the right amount of torque). For every circuit, a ground wire must link to the ground busbar of the unit and the breaker panel.
Step 9. Confirm twice that all electrical links are accurate. Ensure that you have not interchanged the various wire collections.
Step 10. Fix the front panel of the system back in place.
Step 11. Switch on the circuit breakers.
Step 12. Activate the electric tankless water heater and modify the settings as you prefer, including setting the preferred water temperature.
Step 13. Activate a hot water faucet and let it run until it reaches a consistent temperature. Once it’s been running, assess the warmth and adjust.
This is how to install an electric tankless water heater.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) On How To Install An Electric Tankless Water Heater
1. Can I install an electric tankless water heater myself?
It is feasible to fit a tankless water heater by oneself. However, it is only a task for those who know. There are various types of tankless water heaters available, including propane, natural gas, and electric, and models in different sizes, from single-room to whole-house.
2. Can I install a tankless water heater myself?
Setting up a tankless water heater can be challenging and potentially hazardous, so it is best to get a specialist to do it. Whenever you get components for your new heater, comply with all the local plumbing and electrical regulations. These regulations can differ from place to place.
3. Do tankless water heaters need special wiring?
The heater must exclusively connect to a 120- or 240-volt circuit. Both voltages demand 8-gauge wire, and the part visible beneath the sink must be protected by an armored cable.
4. What are the power requirements for an electric tankless water heater?
Electric tankless water heaters may require between 10,000W (10 kW) and 40,000W (40 kW) power input. These heaters run on a 240-volt electric circuit to keep the amperage from too high.
Summary: How To Install An Electric Tankless Water Heater
An electric tankless water heater heats water on demand and eliminates the need for a bulky and expensive water storage tank, saving you even more money. How to install an electric tankless water heater?
Installing an electric tankless water heater is not difficult and requires minimal tools and a few hours of your time.
Most tankless water heaters that run on electricity can function with a pressure range between 30 and 150 psi. If the inlet water pressure is over 150 psi, it is essential to install a pressure regulating valve before the heater.
A plumbing inspector will visit your home and evaluate the installation to guarantee that the job was accomplished correctly.
It’s important to note that electric tankless water heaters must typically mount upright with the electric and water supply lines running downwards. Additionally, there should be sufficient space to allow for servicing.
If you lack the expertise, it would be wise to hire a professional electrician and plumber to complete the installation process of an electric tankless water heater.
I hope this article on how to install an electric tankless water heater sounds helpful!
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