Hot water has become an essential part of life and as such more plumbing companies are stepping up their game to provide the equipment required for their installation as well as the provision of the installation services. In Chicago the demand for hot water systems has been on the rise necessitating plumbing companies to invest more into the lucrative industry of hot water systems.
As one of the leading plumbing companies in the region, we have always made it our responsibility to provide our customers with all the relevant information pertaining to plumbing. YourPlumber-IL.com is committed to ensuring that all our customers are served with up-to-date information on any arising matters concerning their water systems. In this article, we shall mainly be addressing the issues our customers face regarding their hot water systems.
Our customers have previously been encountering challenges in deciding what type of hot water heater system to install in their homes. It is these challenges that have inspired the writing of this article and we hope that at the end of the article, all your questions shall be answered. In our discussion we shall take a look at the types of hot water heater systems that are available as well as their installation procedures.
This is because we acknowledge that some homeowners would like to perform the installation on their own as opposed to hiring professional plumbers. The information provided here will also serve the curious homeowners whose only desire is to discover the types of hot water systems and the procedures to follow when installing them. Knowledge is also precious, right?
There are basically two types of hot water heaters; tank and tankless. A tankless hot water heater system works by heating the water as it is needed. There is no storage element for the hot water. A tank hot water heater system on the other hand utilizes a hot water storage tank. We should also point out at this point that the benefits of tankless hot water systems by far outweigh those provided by tank-based hot water heater systems.
The two types of hot water heater systems can either be gas-based or electric-based. Previously, gas-based hot water systems were preferred due to their relatively low cost of operation. In recent years though, there has been a shift in popularity from gas-based systems to electric based systems due to the reduction in electricity costs and rising gas prices. Both the two systems can compete favourably today meaning that the choice between the two is dictated by the homeowner’s preferences.
Let us now discuss each one of these systems in more detail.
o Gas Water Heater Installation
As we have already pointed out, gas water heater systems are very common although the electric versions are slowly gaining favor. Gas water heater systems can be of two types; tank and tankless. The tankless systems are more cost-effective in terms of the energy utilization since the water is heated on demand.
Tank systems would yield more running cost since the water stored in the tanks needs to be heated periodically even when the demand for hot water isn’t there. Replacements of gas water heater systems are necessitated by the discovery of leakages occurring in the pipes that convey water (both hot and cold), the storage tank in the case where you are using a tank system, and in the pipes conveying gas.
The cost of a new gas water heater system ranges from $150 to about $400. The services of a plumber can cost about $400. The following is the procedure for installing a gas water heater.
• Ensure you shut off the gas and water. The gas to the water heater can be turned off by turning the nearby shutoff valves a quarter turn.
• Drain all the water from the tank. This should be done by attaching a garden hose to the drain valve in order to drain the water from the tank.
• Cut off the water lines by unscrewing the vent pipe from the hood and move it to the side.
• Attach the relief valves by wrapping the threads of the pressure relief and temperature valve with three turns of Teflon tape.
• Attach the pipe assemblies followed by the water lines as per the instructions.
• You now have to reattach the vent. Ensure that it is shoved tightly over the hood and anchored accordingly.
• Attach the gas line using two wrenches.
• Once you are done, you should check the work for any signs of backdrafting or leaks. Leaks can be checked by ensuring that bubbles do not form at any of the connections. The leaks discovered should be sealed and tightened.
• The last step is to light the pilot light according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
o Electric Water Heater Installation
As promised, we shall now take you through the installation procedure for the electric hot water installation. The procedure is pretty much the same as that followed in the former case that we have just discussed. Electric hot water heaters can also be of two types; tank or tankless. The choice between the two will depend on the homeowner’s preference since their running costs are pretty much the same.
The procedure is as follows.
• Turn off the power supply to the water heater from the main electrical panel or distribution point.
• Drain the water heater completely
• Disconnect all electrical wires from the screw terminals especially those located under the access panel. In the case where you lack skills in electrical installations, you can always hire an electrician to sort you out.
• Proceed with the wiring of the system making sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check the instructions once more this time paying more attention to the rating of the fuse or circuit breaker. Ensure that the rating of the fuse or circuit breaker is sufficient to handle the new water heater.
• Ensure that there are no naked wires by inspecting the work and using a suitable insulation material on the cables.
In conclusion, the above simple procedures are what you will need in order to replace your old hot water system with a new one. Although the procedures might appear to be straightforward, they are in the real sense complex and it is sometimes best to hire a professional to do the work.
Cities:
Chicago
Neigborhoods We Serve:
