QA

Question: Where To Put Tankless Water Heater

The ideal location for your water heater is inside the home. Most installations are small and unobtrusive so they will easily fit in a pantry, under the stairs, or under your sink. If you must place the water heater outside, make sure it’s safe from direct sunlight, rain, and insects.

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.

Where should tankless water heater not be installed?

You should avoid installing your tankless water heater in a location prone to excessive humidity, moisture, or dust, or in an area where it may be splashed with water or other liquids. Do NOT install under water pipes or air conditioning lines that might leak or condense moisture that could then drip onto the heater.

Can you install a tankless water heater on an interior wall?

Electric tankless water heaters are designed to be installed indoors in the garage, basement, or interior wall. Both natural and propane gas tankless water heaters have indoor and outdoor models. Indoor models can also be installed in the garage, basement, or the exterior wall’s interior side to provide venting.

Does a tankless water heater 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 I put a hot water heater in a closet?

Water heaters can be installed in bedroom or bathroom closets, if necessary or preferred, but only if they’re an electric, direct vent or sealed combustion chamber unit. Other water heaters that use fuel combustion are not permitted to be installed in bedrooms, bathrooms or closets that open into these rooms.

How much room is needed for a tankless water heater?

The unit heats the water as long as this is open. When it is closed, the tankless unit stops heating the water. It is true that tankless water heaters do not require a lot of space. A large unit requires an area no larger than 24 inches square and ex- tends from the wall by about 8 to 10 inches.

Can a tankless water heater be installed in a crawl space?

Because it’s small — about the size of a carry-on suitcase — you can place a tankless water heater along any stretch of pipe: In the attic, basement, closet, or crawlspace. You can install two or three units to serve different parts of the house, or even dedicate a unit for a particular use — say, a washing machine.

Can a tankless water heater be installed in a laundry room?

These models all deliver continuous hot water anytime it’s needed, and they can be easily installed in small spaces that could not accommodate tank water heaters, like closets, laundry rooms and bathrooms.

Why are tankless water heaters installed outside?

A tankless water heater can be installed outside if it’s designed to withstand harsh weather patterns. There are specific models designed for indoor and outdoor usage, so you have to choose the correct type.

Does a plumber or electrician install a tankless water heater?

Installation of a tankless water heater is NOT considered a “do-it-yourself” project. However, the installation of a Stiebel Eltron electric tankless water heater is relatively simple and can be done by any licenced plumber and electrician.

Can you mount a tankless water heater on plywood?

Build a mounting box out of 2 x 4 lumber and 3/4-inch plywood that will allow you to mount the new tankless water heater about four inches out from the wall. Make the box sturdy enough to hold the weight of the unit. Secure it to the basement wall using the appropriate masonry anchors for your foundation wall.

Can you put an outdoor tankless water heater in a garage?

As long as enough combustion air is provided, tankless water heaters can be installed in place of your old water heater or anywhere in your home. This includes utility rooms, garages, basements, attics, or mounted on outside walls.

Can a tankless water heater be installed horizontally?

Gas or liquid propane tankless water heaters can be installed either vertically or horizontally.

Is it OK to enclose a water heater?

The short answer to whether a water heater can be enclosed is “Yes,” but there are some important things to consider when placing a hot water heater in an enclosed area, whether the unit is gas or electric. Any hot water heater must be installed in such a way as to prevent spills and allow easy access to controls.

Does a water heater closet need to be vented?

When a residential, gas fired water heater is installed in a closet, the heater combustion gases must be vented to the outside of the residence and the fresh air needed for combustion must be drawn in from outside the home using double wall metal pipe; single wall pipe is not permitted.

Is it safe to have a water heater in a bedroom?

No. A malfunction of the water heater or flue can allow carbon monoxide to flow into the room and accumulate at a fatal level.

How close can a tankless water heater be to a gas meter?

Tankless Water Heaters Note: PG&E requires a minimum horizontal clearance of 36” between the gas meter and a tankless water heater when located on the same wall.