Electric Hot Water Heater Installation

An electric water heater is a device that helps to minimize the cold of the winter. Water enters the tank from the side marked 'input'. The electricity resistant elements placed inside the tank heat the water. The hot water is stored in the tank until required. The installation process is not difficult, but it involves some electrical work and plumbing skills. If you are doing it for the first time, then you must plan the process on a paper first and make a checklist of the tools and parts required so that you have everything handy before you begin.

• Concrete blocks
• Gas torch
• Tube cutter
• Soldering flux
• Pads of steel wool
• Wire brush
• Lead-free solders
• Teflon tape
• Wrench pipe

• Choose a suitable place to install the water heater. You can also create a platform by placing 2-3 concrete blocks on the surface. These blocks will not let the heater get damaged by the water.
• Place the heater on the concrete blocks. Make sure that the drain outlet is in the front and the tank is stable.
• Clean the mating surface and cover it with flux. Make sure that the tubing cuts that you make are square and the fittings are not damaged.

• Cut a ¾ inch diameter tube of about 6-8 inches long with the help of a tube cutter. This will be used for the inlet point for cold water in the tank.
• Clean the tubing with the steel wool, apply the soldering flux, and insert the piece inside the fitting. Also, add the flux inside the fitting and slide it over the end of the tube.
• During the process, solder the fitting (female adapter) with the copper tube. Also, solder the male end of the pipe with the other end.

• Use the Teflon tape to wrap the threads of the pipe nipple on top of the heater.
• Fit the joints tightly with the help of the wrench, carefully join the copper tube, and make sure that it does not bend.
• Next, fix small pieces of piping to the joint just made.
• To install the ball valve, wrap Teflon tape around the threads after removing the temperature and pressure relief valves. Solder the pipe attached to the relief valve 3-4 inches above the ground.

• Locate the threaded end of the conduit connector in the holes on the knockout plate that is placed on the cover plate. You can find this cover plate on top of the water heater. Connect the two tightly with the nuts.
• The electric water heater wiring has to be very carefully done. Connect the heater to the conduit piece first, then connect it to the tank through the connector. After this, attach the ground wire to the ground screw. The wire of the same colors should be attached at the end.

Now, check the functioning of the heater by powering it up. Make sure that you go through the instructions given in the heater's manual. While installing any water heater―gas or electric tank-less heater―all the safety precautions should be taken. If you are not confident to install it yourself, then you can contact the water heater company for assistance.