Replacing the Old with the New
Converting your old water heater to a tankless system involves making some changes to your home. The main advantages of installing a tankless water heater come in energy savings, as tankless systems only heat the water you need, when you need it. This will save you money in the long run. Tankless systems are also sealed combustion units, which greatly reduces the risk of carbon monoxide entering your home.
Tankless Water Heater Installation
There are a few steps involved when it comes to tankless water heater installation, especially if you are replacing an old model water heater. Here are some steps to give you a basic idea of what is involved in the tankless water heater installation process.
- You will need to run a vent pipe. These pipes need to be run from the tankless system to an outside location, you may be able to install this pipe into an existing location from your previous water tank.
- If you are installing a vent pipe into a new location, you will need to cut holes. These holes need to allow the vent pipe to slope downward at the correct angle to prevent unwanted water from entering the pipe.
- Once vent piping is installed you will need to line your tankless system up with the new vent pipe prior to mounting it. If you are installing your system on a concrete or brick wall you will need to create a wooden support to attach the backboard to. It is important that this support is mounted securely.
- Attaching water pipes is the final step. This will involve some soldering to ensure a secure fit to the joints.
- Before completing your tankless water heater installation you will want to use a gas sniffer to be sure there are no gas leaks.
While the process of a tankless water heater installation can seem complex, the benefits of switching out an old water heater to a new tankless system may be well worth it.
