Installation Guide

Residen al Gas Water Heater Use and Care Guide for Manufactured Homes • 11
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION
Step 1:
✓
Verify that your
home is equipped
and up-to-date for
proper opera on
Installing a new water heater is the
perfect  me to examine your home’s
plumbing system and make sure the
system is up to current code standards.
There have likely been plumbing code
changes since the old water heater
was installed. We recommend install-
ing the following accessories and any
other needed changes to bring your
home up to the latest code require-
ments. Upda ng your plumbing system
can help extend the life of your water
heater, avoid damage to your home
and property, and reduce the risk of
serious injuries or death. Inspect your
home and install any devices you need
to comply with current codes and as-
sure that your new water heater per-
forms at its best. Check with your local
plumbing offi cial for more informa on.
✓
Water pressure
Most codes allow a maximum
incoming water pressure of 80 psi
(we recommend a working pressure
no higher than 50-60 psi). Check your
home’s water pressure with a pressure
gauge and adjust if necessary. High
water pressure can damage the water
heater, piping, and other appliances.
HOW: Purchase an inexpensive water
pressure gauge at your local plumbing
supplier. Connect the water pres-
sure gauge to an outside faucet and
measure the maximum water pressure
experienced throughout a 24-hour
period (highest water pressures o en
occur at night).
Figure 5: Use a Water Pressure Gauge to make
sure your home’s water pressure is not too high.
To adjust your home’s water pressure:
Locate your home’s Pressure Reduc-
ing Valve (PRV) on the main incoming
(cold) water supply line and adjust the
water pressure control to between 50
and 60 psi. If your home does not have
a Pressure Reducing Valve, install a
PRV on the home’s main water supply
line and set it to between 50 and 60
psi. Pressure Reducing Valves are avail-
able at your local plumbing supplier.
BACKGROUND: Over the years, many
u li es have increased water sup-
ply pressures so they can serve more
homes. In some homes today, pres-
sures can exceed 100 psi. High water
pressures can damage water heaters,
causing premature leaks. If you have
replaced toilet valves, had a water
heater leak, or had to repair applianc-
es connected to the plumbing system,
pay par cular a en on to your home’s
water pressure. When purchasing a
PRV, make sure the PRV has a built-in
bypass.
✓
Water pressure
increase caused by
thermal expansion
Verify that you have a properly sized
Thermal Expansion Tank. We recom-
mend installing an expansion tank if
your home does not have one. Plumb-
ing codes require a properly pressur-
ized, properly sized Thermal Expansion
Tank in almost all homes.
Figure 6: A Thermal Expansion Tank helps protect
the home’s plumbing system from pressure
spikes.
HOW: Connect the Thermal Expan-
sion Tank (available at most hardware
stores.) to the cold water supply line
near the water heater. The expansion
tank contains a bladder and an air
charge. To work properly, the Thermal
Expansion Tank must be sized accord-
ing to the water heater’s tank capacity
and pressurized to match the home’s
incoming water pressure. Refer to the
instruc ons provided with the Thermal
Expansion Tank for installa on details.
BACKGROUND: Water expands when
heated, and the increased volume
of water must have a place to go, or
thermal expansion will cause large
increases in water pressure (despite