A tankless electric water heater may appeal to you for several reasons. High among them would be energy efficiency and a constant hot water supply. Before you follow the steps for how to install a tankless electric water heater, you need to assess your electrical system. Additionally, most local governments require a permit to perform this work.
Tools
- Garden hose
- Bucket
- Pipe wrenches
- Screwdrivers
- Power drill
- Hammer
- Voltage tester
Electrical Requirements for a Tankless Electric Water Heater
Your water heater needs a dedicated circuit that supplies power only to it. Depending on your model, you will need either a 120-volt or 240-volt dedicated circuit.
If you’re taking out an old electric water heater with a tank, then you might already have the required circuit. If you’re removing a gas water heater, you’ll need to have an electrician add a new dedicated circuit.
How to Install Tankless Electric Water Heater
- Shut off power supply at the circuit.
- Test your power supply line with the voltage tester to confirm it’s off.
- Shut off the water supply to the water heater. If valves to shut off supply aren’t present, turn off water supply at main shut off valve.
- Before moving out the old water heater, drain its tank.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain at the bottom of the tank.
- Direct the hose into a bucket or nearby floor drain.
- Empty the tank.
- Disconnect electrical/gas supply lines to tank and water inlet and outlet lines. Use pipe wrenches as necessary to loosen connections.
- Remove old water heater.
- Select a space on the wall to mount your new tankless unit. It needs to be in a place where your electrical and supply lines reach.
- Consult the water heater’s installation directions. It should contain a template that you place on the wall and trace where to locate mounting screws.
- Mark and drill holes for mounting screws.
- Tap wall anchors into holes with a hammer.
- Take out screws holding the cover on the new water heater. You need its interior exposed while completing the installation.
- Lift the water heater onto the wall and secure with screws.
- Connect the water inlet and outlet pipes to the heater. Your product directions will clearly mark which one is the supply line and which is the hot water outlet.
- Continue following the manufacturer’s directions and connect the flow and pressure valves.
- Open all hot water faucets throughout your house to bleed the lines.
- Connect the electrical line. Your manufacturer’s directions will have a diagram showing which wires go where.
- Confirm that all connections are correct.
- Put the cover back on the unit.
- Turn on the power at the circuit.
- Turn on the water supply.
- Test the water temperature at your faucets. Adjust the thermostat as necessary to achieve hot but not scalding water.
Ask Professionals to Do the Job
Your electric tankless water heater must be connected to an appropriate and dedicated circuit. Any deviation from its power specifications creates a safety hazard. At Oliver, our licensed plumbers and electricians are trained in the latest safety standards. Allow us to install a tankless water heater at your home so that you’ll have no worries. Reach out for a water heater installation quote today.