Although they are necessary home appliances, water heaters have a limited lifespan which varies from 10-15 years. Electric water heaters use electric heating elements, where the unit is controlled with a thermostat that stays outside the water heater. And gas water heaters use a gas burner.
You can easily replace the electric water heater when looking for an upgrade. If you need to replace or fix your electric water heater, you’ll need to be able to reach the designated electric wire and a cold water supply connection.
Why on earth would you attempt to wire an electric water heater? To diagnose issues with an electric water heater, you must know how its wiring is meant to work. You should exercise caution out of concern for your safety since this will help. Could you find out more about this subject? Do you intend to adhere to all protocols in terms of safety? By understanding the fundamentals of your electric water heater, you may find this article to be helpful.
Did you say “yes” to both of the inquiries? To proceed with your reading, that is. During an electrical repair, safety must always come first.
While wiring the water heater to a circuit breaker box, it is important to make it a special wiring. Because it is important that hot and ground wires need to connect appropriate terminals of the heater and circuit breaker.
The guide goes over the basics of installing an electric water heater, such as what tools are needed, where the hot water heater’s circuit breaker is, and how to avoid problems.
On the contrary, if you feel unsafe around water or power lines, you should hire a professional plumber or electrician to handle the job.
Things You Require Before Installing a Water Heater
When you buy a new one to replace the electric water heater, locating the remaining materials will be easy. Make sure you have all the parts and measurements you need before you start wiring the electric water heater.
1. Circuit-Breaker
Choose the standard 30-amp boiler tank for your house to get the maximum continuous load because of a water heater ampacity. Double-check the heater replacement specifications to avoid the breaker tripping, even accidentally.
2. Electrical Wires
There is a standard level of 30amp for a water heater breaker with working parts and safety devices. Remember that the 30A 240V circuit gets wired with the 10-2 non-metallic cables (NMC). The three strands used in this wire type comprise two conductors and a ground.
3. Voltage Tester
DIYers who know how to wire hot water heaters must take safety precautions.
A voltage tester or meter can prevent accidental contact with live wires. If there is no current, the light will blink green; if there is, the light will flash red.
You can go with this equipment, rubber gloves, and boots.
Tips for Safety When Installing an Electric Water Heater
Before purchasing, examine the size and energy rating of a new electric water heater. Electric water heaters with tanks must adhere to insulation requirements starting in 2015. Water heaters from the same manufacturer with the same capacity have gotten broader and taller since 2015. Calculate the area of the old water heater.
Tankless electric water heaters are more energy efficient since they heat water. Point-of-use electric water heaters heat water in the sink, tub, or appliance to reduce waste. Consult a plumber about this water heater.
Residential water heater plumbing codes vary by community. Make sure your installation meets local and water heater-type regulations.
How to Determine Hot Water Heater Breaker?
This is an important safety feature, as it ensures that no one can accidentally turn on the hot water heater when the main switch is turned off. Although it is not always the case, you should look for a breaker larger than the others in the box.
Hot Water Heater Breaker Identification: 4 Steps to Follow
Trace the wire carefully back to the panel of circuit breakers and find the gas water heater breaker.
How to identify the hot water heater breaker is a crucial homeowner skill. During a power outage, this knowledge can prevent appliance damage. Knowing which breaker controls the hot water heater saves time when resetting it.
Step 1: Breakers and Their Labels
Use a “hot water heater” or similar label to identify the hot water heater. If you cannot find any then flick all the breakers to turn off the water heater.
Step 2: Close to the water heater breaker
Usually you can see a water heater breaker’s label next to it. If not, follow the line from heater to breaker box.
Step 3: A 15 or 20-amp breaker will be used
Begin with finding the hot water heater in the breaker box. If you find two breakers, the larger and smaller ones would be 15-amp and 20-amp, respectively. When there is only one, it is presumed to be 15-amp hot water heater breaker.
Step 4: Trail and Error to turn off the breaker with no labels
When you have no labels, turn off the breaker and turn on one by one to identify the breaker for your hot water heater.
Sizing Requirements of the Water Heater Breaker
Understanding how a water heater works help determines its size.
- Most electric water heaters are 20-30 Amps and need a 220-250 Volts AC.
- Consider wire gauge when sizing from power requirements. Heater amperage determines wire gauge.
- Gas tankless water heaters use less electricity and voltage than electric models. Typically, 12 amps and voltages below 120 are required.
- Gas tankless water heaters’ electronic ignition systems use less electricity. Gas tankless water heaters only need a 15-amp, 120-volt dedicated single-pole breaker.
Is it better to get a gas or electric water heater?
Local utility expenses determine this choice. Gas water heaters cost more initially but run cheaper than electric ones.
Gas water heaters require more energy than electric ones and 40% of the price of electricity is gas.
Circuit breaker sizing is complicated. Contact a professional to upgrade electric, gas, or tankless water heaters.
wiring process of a Water Heater from the following pointers
1. Turn off the Power
Before you try to fix the wiring or other electrical connections, you need to turn off the breaker that powers the water heater. Despite the danger of the voltage in general, it is known that this particular voltage can cause the most serious injuries and even death.
While you turn off the water heater’s circuit breakers, check it’s status with a voltage tester. Usually, circuit protection is ensured with a 30-amp double-pole circuit breaker, and just remove the cover plate before checking the wire connections.
After taking off the cover, you can use a non-contact voltage tester to see if electricity is being sent. The tester shouldn’t illuminate if the power has been properly shut off.
2. Let All the Hot Water Drain
The next step is to empty the hot water tank for convenience and safety reasons before proceeding. Before draining a water heater, make sure you understand what you’re doing. The two connections that need fixing are those that join the draining heater’s upper and bottom thermostat housing.
3. Remove the Old Water Heater’s Wiring
Before continuing with how to wire a water heater, disconnect the electrical connections at the top of the hot water tank. It will let you safely take the old heater apart so you can check for frayed or otherwise damaged wires that need to be fixed right away.
4. Unplug the Entire Piping System
Remove all the pipes connected to water heater in and outside after disconnecting the wiring from the tank. You can do this by releasing the nut holding the wire in place. Use a wrench to release the corroded nut and remove all electrical connections.
The water heater can then be placed in a bin and taken to the attic for repainting. If they’re still in good shape, you can save money by reusing them while installing the new water heater.
5. Put the New Hot Water Tank
First, you must turn off the power and drain the pipes before securely removing the old heater. You can install the new water heater once you’ve determined if anything else in the system needs to be replaced. The water heater is heavy, so you’ll need a wheelbarrow or something similar to transport it.
After that, make sure the tank’s former resting place is dust-free by cleaning it well. Start by fixing the more significant problems, then install the new tank. Ensure the wiring and pipes fit the same way on the old tank to confirm that you have the correct tank.
If they don’t, you must conduct more prep work before wiring the new water heater. You can make installing the new water heater easier by constructing a stand. Make use of home construction components that are more practical, inexpensive, and simple to set up.
6. Sand Down the Copper Pipes
It’s easy to nick or scratch copper because it’s soft. Sanding removes oxidation and improves the connection with your compression fitting. You must ensure that they are all straight so that the water can flow freely. It is essential to relocate them or join pipes from various locations.
7. Install the New Water Heater’s Wiring
The black wire must be connected to a “HEAT” rather than an “AC” terminal on the heating element. Additional wires attached to either screw can be held in place with a wrench. This loose wiring can be connected to a thermostat or pilot light.
Remove the junction box cover to get access to the new water heater’s wiring, and begin by attaching the ground wire and the heater’s green screen ground. You must remove the junction box and all black and white cables to access the wiring inside the tank.
The remaining wires could be connected using wire connectors. Twist to access the other cables, then utilize those cables to finish this step. Put the junction box’s cover back on right away. Ensure all the wires are connected correctly before sealing the junction box. The heater could not operate properly if you don’t.
8. Connect the Water Pipes to the New Water Heater
Connect the power cable to the connector and screw it securely. With just one wrench, you can connect all those pipes with ease. Keep the same pipe size as the previous heater. Connect a T-fitting to each side of your new water heater and twist it into position.
It will be easier to switch the valves on and off in the future if you leave an extra inch of pipe extending from them. A length of copper wire should be fastened to the T-fitting at both ends before it enters the heater.
Once you’ve got everything else hooked up, open both valves and let the water run through your system so that everything can move freely along the hot and cold lines.
9. Set Temperature and Pressure Discharge Valve
You’re at the final stage now. When your water heater’s heating cycle ends, the water must drain and enter the plumbing system. Turn off the respective valves and cut a notch in each to make the T-fitting fit over the hot and cold pipes. Be careful not to cross-thread your discharge valve when you screw it into place. Releasing some of the pressure by opening the valves is a good idea. Put a pressure regulator on the valve that releases the gas and turn it. By switching the breaker, see what happens when the electricity is restored. Examine what happens when the power is restored by flipping the breaker.
Take careful note of any smoke or unusual noises that indicate poor wiring that needs quick attention. Only switch on the water heater if the tank is full.
If the water is getting hot and everything else seems to be working, you have successfully installed a water heater. You should switch off the breaker and inspect the wiring if it doesn’t.
10. Wire the Heating Element
The incorrect terminals are frequently used by novice users when connecting power supply cables.
Reverse these connections to ease your mind. Before turning on the electricity, make sure all connections are tight.
To wire your heating element, connect one power supply wire to one water heater terminal and the other to the other.
11. Recognize Water Wiring
Electric water heaters need a dedicated 240-volt circuit. The circuit is wired with a 10-2 cable and a 3p-amp double pole breaker. Black and red (or white) wire leads link the water heater’s black and white circuit wires.
Twist the black feed circuit wire and one water heater wire to show the white wire is hot. Apply black or red electrical tape to the circuit ends. Electrical tape and connectors improve safety.
To identify the white wire as an electrical line, tape its insulation. 240-volt circuits use black and white live wires. Green ground screws or leads link the circuit ground wire to the water heater.
Conclusion
After reading this, you ought to be more equipped to decide if you want to try installing an electric water heater or not. As you can see, wiring a water heater in your home is not as challenging as it may seem. You will save a lot of money if you are independent. Due to their low cost and simple installation, electric water heaters are a common DIY choice for homeowners.
Instead of rushing the installation process, give it the time and attention it needs. Installing something might be risky if the right safety precautions aren’t taken.
Hire a professional if you require additional training in electrical or plumbing work.
