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Quick Answer: How To Build A Water Heater Enclosure Outside

How do I hide my outside water heater?

4 Ways to Hide Your Water Heater (& 3 Outdoor Options) hide it behind a curtain. install a decorative screen or room divider. install your water heater in a closet. build a cabinet enclosure.

Can water heaters be installed outside?

You can install water heaters outside in certain instances. Electric and gas tank-style water heaters are not designed to be installed outside without shelter. You can also install electric tankless water heaters outside with some sheltering recommended to protect the unit from the weather.

Can I build a box around my water heater?

In most instances, a home’s water heater is placed in the basement. You can enclose the water heater by building a wall around it and constructing a utility closet.

How much clearance do you need around a water heater?

Water heaters must be surrounded by a certain amount of clearance, or air space, to function properly and safely. A clearance area of 12 inches is required on all sides of a hot water heater. A certain amount of airflow is also required for proper combustion and ventilation.

Can you put a water heater in the shed?

A water heater is a vital appliance in your home, but it’s also an appliance that can require a lot of space. Placing the shed on a concrete slab provides a stable base that protects the water heater and pipes from the shifting ground.

How do I protect my water heater in cold weather?

One of the best things you can do to prevent your water heater from freezing is by installing freeze protection solenoid valves. The valves will automatically open and release the water from the unit in case there is a power outage. Another thing you can do is place a cover over the intake and exhaust vents.

Do water heater blankets work?

Yes! Water heater blankets really work! They’re essentially an add-on feature that can be applied to any tank-style water heater to improve its energy efficiency. They’re also very easy to install.

Can you enclose a furnace and water heater?

If you are finishing your basement and building walls, incorporate a small area to enclose the furnace, AC, and or water heater. These louvered doors provide great ventilation. Another option is to create a set of built-in shelves in the door that don’t even look like a closet.

Do tankless water heaters have to be on an outside wall?

Installing a tankless water heater outside frees up indoor space and requires no additional venting. Tankless water heaters can vent through the roof or a side wall, creating more flexibility and options for placement. Traditional gas tank water heater require venting through the roof.

Can you install a tankless water heater anywhere?

Tankless water heaters can be installed anywhere inside your home. You can even have a tankless water heater in a bathroom! Some families with larger homes choose to install two, one for each floor, for example. Because of their small size, they fit in closets, cabinets, pantries or laundry rooms.

How much does it cost to move a water heater outside?

Conclusion. The cost to move a water heater varies between $150 and $10,000. The highest costs to consider are water and gas line installations, followed by water heater replacement. Professional water heater installation services average about $2,000, but homeowners can opt to perform a DIY installation for far less.

Do hot water heaters need ventilation?

All water heaters that burn natural gas or liquid propane (LP) gas require a venting system. The process of burning of the gas is called combustion and it creates heat, exhaust gases (including highly poisonous carbon monoxide), and moisture.

How do you strap a water heater in a closet?

Wrap the heavy-gauge metal strapping 1-1/2 times around the tank. Start by placing the strapping at the back of the tank. Bring it to the front and then take it back to the wall. Secure this strapping to the wall studs or the wood block using several 1/4-inch x 3-inch or longer lag screws with oversized washers.

How do I cover my hot water heater?

Perhaps the simplest way to hide your furnace and water heater is to add a sliding curtain as a divider. You will need to measure the wall height to determine proper curtain length, as well as the needed width. Be sure to give a few inches of clearance so the curtain doesn’t touch your heater.

Can a tankless water heater be enclosed?

The tankless water heater is small in size. Thus it can be put in small spaces such as under-stair storage areas, closets, in pantries or under the sink. A tankless water heater is for indoor installation only. In case you install it outside, get a suitable enclosure.

How close can a cabinet be to a water heater?

Don’t … Store combustible materials within 18 inches of your water heater. Flammable items placed closer than that could potentially catch fire.

Can a water heater touch the wall?

water heater can sit against wall, but this can restrict air flow so keep stuff away from gas water heater.

Does water heater need sediment trap?

Sediment traps are required at all automatically controlled gas appliances. In other words, sediments traps are required at furnaces, boilers, water heaters, clothes dryers, ovens, space heaters, unit heaters, gas fireplaces, and more.

Why are water heaters outside in California?

California, like much of the West Coast, is vulnerable to earthquakes. For this reason, water heaters must be fitted with earthquake straps to keep the appliance safely in place in the event of an earthquake.

How far does a tankless water heater need to be from a window?

A tankless water heater requires a 4-foot clearance from the side or below a door or window that opens, unless the unit is directly vented to the outside. If the water heater is installed above the door or window, it needs 12 inches of clearance.