Water heaters tend to be tucked away in the garage, basement, crawlspace or attic and sometimes in their own closet. Its placement in the house affects how fast the water will heat up in the kitchen or bathroom.
Where should a hot water heater be located?
Most regulations are fairly simply, and require that water heaters be placed against an external wall of the house. This is why most hot water heaters are in garages or basements. You will want to place your water heater next to an outer wall to make room for the flue.
Can a water heater be inside the house?
It’s crazy but for decades building practices allowed furnaces and water heaters to be inside the home.Because natural gas, combustion and potentially carbon monoxide are right inside the home. In the case of furnaces with air returns below the closet, this can be a potentially dangerous situation.
Why do they put hot water heaters in the attic?
WATER HEATERS IN THE ATTIC ARE EXTREMELY EFFICIENT IN THE WARMER MONTHS.Your attic can easily reach temperatures of 120 140 degrees, which is optimum for keeping the water in your tank sufficiently hot, without using any energy.
Can water heaters be placed outside?
Yes, a water heater can be installed outside in certain instances. Electric and gas tank-style water heaters are not designed to be installed outside without shelter.Electric tankless water heaters can also be installed outside with some sheltering recommended to protect the unit from the weather.
Where should I put my water heater in my garage?
Appliances in residential garages and in adjacent spaces that open to the garage and are not part of the living space of a dwelling unit shall be installed so that all burners and burner ignition devices are located not less than 18 in. (460mm) above the floor unless listed as Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant.
Should a water heater be in a closet?
Water heaters can be installed in bedroom or bathroom closets, if necessary or preferred, but only if they’re an electric, direct vent or sealed combustion chamber unit. Other water heaters that use fuel combustion are not permitted to be installed in bedrooms, bathrooms or closets that open into these rooms.
How far does a water heater have to be off the floor?
18 inches
According to the Uniform Plumbing Code, a natural gas tank water heater should be installed at least 18 inches from the ground.
Does a water heater closet need to be vented?
When a residential, gas fired water heater is installed in a closet, the heater combustion gases must be vented to the outside of the residence and the fresh air needed for combustion must be drawn in from outside the home using double wall metal pipe; single wall pipe is not permitted.
Should I put my water heater in the attic?
No, it is unsafe to have your water heater in your attic since it can break, leak, and cause water damage before someone notices. Moving it downstairs to a first floor interior closet or garage is the safest option.
Should I install water heater in attic?
Just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, though. Water heaters that are installed in attics or elsewhere upstairs increase the risk of leaks and water damage.That might seem like a great idea at first, but remember that water heaters have a 100% failure rate.
How difficult is it to relocate a water heater?
One of the most difficult DIY tasks you can attempt as a homeowner is to relocate your water heater. Due to factors like building codes, plumbing complications and whether your heater is gas or electric, moving your water heater is often an extremely delicate process that can go wrong in any number of ways.
Can you put a tankless water heater in a closet?
Your tankless water heater can be installed just about anywhere! 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.
Is it safe to sleep next to a water heater?
Do not ever leave the heater unattended. Avoid the carbon monoxide poisoning by turning off the heater and unplugging it before leaving the room or going to the bed. Signs of too much carbon monoxide in the rooms include headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, discomfort, vomiting, nausea and weakness.
Should I put my water heater in the garage?
If you store things on the ground in a garage or basement, it can be at risk for water damage. Even if the water heater is in a drain pan, if the leak occurs at a faster rate than the small drain can handle, the water will end up all over your floor and can easily ruin anything you’ve got stored there.
How high should a water heater be installed above the garage floor?
Which means, for all practical purposes, the actual water heater should be elevated approximately 12-14″ above the garage floor. The burner/ ignition flame is likely 4″-6″ above the base of the water heater.
Does water heater need to be elevated in garage?
Water heaters having an ignition source shall be elevated so that the source of ignition is not less than 18 above the garage floor.Electric water heaters having all switching controls located above 18 from the bottom of the water heater are not required to be elevated.
Can a gas water heater be installed in a bedroom closet?
Yes, a gas water heater can be installed in a closet as long as the closet is not used for storage. The International Residential Code (IRC) specifically bans a storage closet as a location for a gas water heater.
Can you put a water heater in a bathroom?
No, you cannot put a gas water heater in a bathroom. A malfunction of the water heater or flue can allow carbon monoxide to flow into a bathroom and accumulate at a fatal level in what is typically a small room.
How do you strap a water heater in a closet?
Wrap the heavy-gauge metal strapping 1-1/2 times around the tank. Start by placing the strapping at the back of the tank. Bring it to the front and then take it back to the wall. Secure this strapping to the wall studs or the wood block using several 1/4-inch x 3-inch or longer lag screws with oversized washers.
Should a water heater be on the ground?
Your gas water heater should be 18 inches off of the ground, as per the National Fuel Gas Code.This rule is in place for the safety of you and your family, to help prevent fires and even explosions in the event that a flammable substance is spilled near your gas heater.
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