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How To Install a New Gas Water Heater

Gas Hot Water Heater Installation
Water heaters unfortunately do not last forever, at some point you will probably need to replace your old or broken water heater. A water heater that leaks needs to be replaced immediately to prevent any possible water damage. A new gas water heater requires a 6" clearance around the unit for ventilation. If replacing an electric water heater, be sure the voltage of the new heater is the same as the old one. Water heater tanks range from 30 to 65 gallons, while a household of 4 typically uses around 45 gallons. Energy efficient water heaters are initially more expensive but cost less to operate over the life of the heater. A pressure relief valve usually needs to be bought separate from the heater so make sure the new valve matches the working pressure rating of the tank.

What You Need Materials: Sheetmetal screws, two heat-saver nipples, flexible water connectors, pressure-relief valve, threaded male pipe adapters, Teflon tape, pipe joint compound, masking tape, sponge, copper pipe, solder, wood shims Tools: Appliance dolly, adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, hacksaw, screwdriver, hammer, level, propane torch, bucket

1. Shut off the gas to the water heater and wait several minutes for gas to dissipate.

2. Shut off the water valves to the water heater.

3. At the union fitting for the gas line, disconnect and save all the fittings.

4. Drain all the water from inside the old water heater through a hose or by filling a bucket, and discard the water.

5. Disconnect the hot and cold water pipes above the water heater (if the pipes are copper soldered on, saw through the pipes below valve with a straight cut.

6. Remove the sheetmetal screws to the exhaust duct and disconnect from water heater.

7. Make sure everything is definitely disconnected and then remove the water heater from its place with an appliance dolly.

8. Gently place the new water heater into position so that the gas line is near the control box and the burner chamber access panel is not obstructed.

9. Use wood shims to level out the water heater.

10. After placing the flute hat legs into the new water heater, slip the exhaust duct over the hat at a slight slope to avoid a backup of fumes.

11. Secure the exhaust duct and flue hat with sheetmetal screws.

12. Take the new pressure relief valve and carefully wrap the threads with Teflon tape.

13. Screw the valve into the tank opening with a pipe wrench.

14. Using a threaded male adapter, attach a CVPC or copper drain pipe to the pressure relief valve.

15. Solder threaded male pipe adapters to both water pipes.

16. After the adapters and pipes have cooled, wrap the threads of the adapters with Teflon tape.

17. Locate the heat-saver nipples and also wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the nipples.

18. Using a pipe wrench, attach the red nipple fitting to the hot water outlet on the water heater then attach the blue nipple fitting to the cold water outlet. The cold water direction arrow should face down, and the hot water direction arrow should face up.

19. Using flexible water connectors, attach the water lines to heat-saver nipples and tighten all fittings.

20. Test fit the old water heater gas pipes and fittings prior to hooking up gas pipes. A few iron nipples may be necessary if the new water is a different height. (Use black iron and not galvanized iron for gas lines.)

21. Clean all pipe threads and coat with a pipe joint compound and then assemble the gas line in the following manner: connect the control box nipple, then the T-fitting, the top vertical nipple, then the union fitting, the bottom vertical nipple, and last the cap.

22. For a gas line made with flexible copper, use a flare fitting to attach the water heater to the gas line.

23. Turn on several hot water faucets all through the house and then turn open both the inlet and outlet water valves on the water heater; wait for water to run continually from house faucets and then turn off faucets leaving water heater valves in open position.

24. Open the inlet valve of the gas line and test for leaks by wiping soapy water around pipe joints; if soap bubbles, tighten joints further.

25. On the water heater?s control box turn the gas cock to the "Pilot" position and then set your desired water temperature.

26. Take off the access panels that are covering the burner chamber and hold a flame (match or lighter) next to the pilot gas tube in the burner chamber.

27. Press the reset button on control box while flame is next to the gas tube. Continue to hold the reset button down for one minute after pilot flame lights.

28. Finally, turn the gas cock to the ON position then replace the access panels to the burner chamber.


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