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