In many modern households, water heaters are necessary for satisfying homeowners' hot water demands. However, many people fail to install water heaters correctly. This leads to disasters such as explosions, carbon dioxide poisoning, and high electricity bills. Here are some mistakes you should avoid during water heater installations.
Failing to Calculate Your Hot Water Needs
You should not buy a heater that is too large or too small. This ends up raising your energy bills. Remember, water heating accounts for around 18% of household energy bills. For an accurate calculation of your hot water demand, start by determining how much hot water your household uses. You also need to identify the busiest time of the day when the water heater is in high demand.
To make the correct estimates, you should inventory the appliances in your house that require hot water. These include the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine. Your water heater installation expert will help you find the appropriate water heater based on your specific needs.
Incompatible Metal Connections
Failing to fit the correct metal connections is another common mistake during a water heater installation. Many people are mistaken in thinking that incompatible metal connections will not affect the efficiency of their water heaters. However, joining incompatible metals increases your risk of water heater failure.
Additionally, corrosion is likely when metals are not compatible. To avoid corrosion, ensure you have connectors that match the metal of your pipes. For example, if you are using copper water pipes, ensure you use copper connectors. If you combine steel with copper, corrosion will be inevitable, and this will reduce the longevity of your heater and promote water leaks. Eventually, the cost of repairs will be higher than the cost of fixing accurate fittings.
Relief Valves
In water heaters, a relief valve is used for controlling pressure and temperature. When you do not install it correctly, the tank could explode. As a result, anyone and anything that is near the tank will be affected by the leaking water.
Usually, the valve should be fixed 6 inches above the floor and at the side of the water tank. This ensures it opens automatically and relieves the pressure inside the tank. For additional protection, you should connect a drain tube to the outlet. Finally, the diverter should be discharged from the tank. Working with a skilled water heater expert will ensure the relief valve is installed properly.
Call a plumbing service if you need help with your water heater.
