| Hooking up a hot water heater is one of the | | | | |
| more common home repair jobs and is easy to | | | | It is now time to install the new unit. Do |
| learn. But, be sure to read all of the | | | | not drag the new unit into your home as there |
| directions before beginning. You do not want | | | | are fragile parts inside that can be damaged |
| to find that you are stuck with no hot water. | | | | if it is jolted too much. Try using a dolly |
| | | | to transport it into your home. Once moved, |
| Obviously, the first thing you must do is | | | | position the new heater so the piles can |
| disconnect and remove the old hot water | | | | easily reach it. If you are using gas, be |
| heater. Be careful, though, as it is still | | | | careful that the gas pipe can reach easily to |
| full of hot water. Turn off your gas or | | | | prevent any gas leaks. |
| electricity, whichever is connected to the | | | | |
| water heater. You then need to drain the | | | | You now need to connect the hot and cold |
| water from the old heater. A drain valve | | | | water, which is a simple process. Connect the |
| should be on the heater for this purpose. For | | | | new water heater to the same connections as |
| a gas heater, separate the vent pipe from the | | | | the old one, and connect the third pipe to |
| draft hood which should life off after you | | | | the main water line. If you are confused or |
| remove the sheet metal screw holding it. | | | | there are no connections, refer to the user |
| Confirm that the pilot light is out, | | | | manual. Connecting the pipes is the most |
| disconnect the gas line at the heater and cap | | | | common mistake made during installation. You |
| it. | | | | can test it by turning on the water. If the |
| | | | cold water turns hot and your hot water never |
| You will next need to remove the water heater | | | | warms, you will need to switch the pipes. |
| from the pipes, but be careful since the | | | | |
| water pipes may still have hot water in them | | | | Next, you must locate the relief valve on the |
| which is still hot enough to burn you. You | | | | new hot water heater. The temperature and |
| may need to use some pipe wrenches to remove | | | | pressure relief valve is an important part of |
| them, but there should not be many pipes | | | | the system, as it releases excess heat and |
| connected so this step should take little | | | | pressure automatically so that the unit does |
| time or effort. Once completed, you can | | | | not explode. This is a valuable and important |
| remove the water heater and dispose of it. | | | | safety feature that is standard on all units. |
| Keep in mind, though, that may local and | | | | Finally, connect the new hot water heater to |
| state laws have restrictions on disposing of | | | | the power. Connect it either to the gas line |
| hot water heaters. Check with the local | | | | or the electricity so the water can be |
| authorities for any disposal requirements in | | | | heated. The instruction manual can explain |
| your area. | | | | how to do this. |