What You Need To Know When Relocating Your Water Heater

It's not uncommon, particularly in older homes or those that have been remodeled, for the location of the water heater to be less than ideal. Moving a water heater is never an easy proposition, but if you opt to do this, then a new water heater installation is the optimum time to complete the relocation.

Consider Your Options

Some types of water heaters are much easier to relocate than others. Tank-style heaters require a lot of space, both due to their size and for safety in the event that the tank springs a leak. This makes it harder to find a good location for them that is out of the way. If space is tight in the desired installation location, consider moving to a tankless on-demand water heater. These can be placed under sinks, in cabinets, or in the back of closets, so space is not as big of a consideration.

Choose the New Location Carefully

Your new location needs to take into account several factors. You must be able to easily run water lines to and from the tank, for example. The further you place the tank from existing lines, the more invasive, time-consuming, and expensive it will be to run new lines. Another consideration is how far the heater will be from the point of delivery. The further away the tank is from the tap, the longer it will take for hot water to come out of the faucet. Ideally, tankless heaters are placed very close to the taps they supply, and tank heaters are placed in a central location to all of the taps in the house.

Plan for Several Work Days

A normal water heater installation typically takes only a few hours and rarely more than a day. If you are relocating the heater, though, it may take two or more days to complete the process. First, your plumber will prepare the new location. This may include clearing space, adding ventilation, and installing water supply and delivery lines. This process will take at least a day and possibly more than one day. You should still have hot water from your old tank during this process, though. Then, your plumber will install the new heater and shut off the power and water supply to the old one. Finally, the old heater, along with the no longer needed water lines, will be removed or capped off.

Contact a water heater installation service for more advice about relocating your water heater.  

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