DIY Network

Electric Water Heater Installation: Water Heaters Electric Water Heater Installation: Water Heaters From "Ed the Plumber" episode DETP-111

Host Ed Del Grande offers the 'in's and out's' on water heaters.

Materials:

Meter stick
Pipe cutter
Small pump and a couple of hoses to drain the tank
Safety glasses
Tape measure

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• There are two types of water heaters, electric and gas.

• Most water heaters offer a five or ten year warranty.

• The tank is made from steel and has a liner with insulation on the inside to keep the water at a steady temperature.

• Cold water comes into the tank down to the bottom through a dip tube. The tube bends around the base of the tank so that the water will 'swirl' around, keeping it fresh.

• The tank has two heating elements. One is near the bottom of the tank; the other is near the top. The lowest element heats the water, and the top element maintains the temperature.

Prepping the Old Water Heater:

1. First, have a licensed electrician disconnect the wiring (figure A) to the old water heater.

2. Shut off the water at the main using a meter stick.

3. Purchase or rent a small water pump to drain the tank (figure B).

4. Next, cut through the existing incoming and outgoing water lines using a pipe cutter (figure C.

   Safety Note: use safety glasses when cutting pipe.

5. Remove the old lines from the tank.

6. If necessary, adjust the height of the pipes to accommodate the new water heater.