Installation Guide

12 • Residen al Gas Water Heater Use and Care Guide for Manufactured Homes
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION
the use of a Pressure Reducing Valve
in the home’s main water supply line).
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
requires the use of backfl ow preven-
ters and check valves to restrict water
from your home reentering the public
water system. Backfl ow preventers
are o en installed in water meters
and may not be readily visible. As
a result, most all plumbing systems
today are now “closed,” and almost all
homes now need a Thermal Expan-
sion Tank.
A Thermal Expansion Tank is a prac -
cal and inexpensive way to help avoid
damage to the water heater, washing
machine, dishwasher, ice maker, and
even toilet valves. If your toilet oc-
casionally runs for no apparent reason
(usually briefl y at night), that may be
due to thermal expansion increasing
the water pressure temporarily.
✓
Water Pipe and
Tank Leaks
Metal Drain Pan
Piped to Drain
or Through Floor
to the Outside
Figure 7: A metal drain pan piped through the
floor to the outside (or to an adequate drain)
can help protect flooring from leaks and drips.
Leaks from plumbing pipes or from
the water heater itself can damage
property and could cause a fi re risk.
• Install an automa c leak detec on
and shutoff device (available at your
local plumbing supplier ). These de-
vices can detect water leaks and can
shut off the water heater’s water
supply if a leak occurs.
• Install a metal drain pan (available at
your local plumbing supplier) under
the water heater to catch conden-
sa on or leaks from the piping
connec ons or tank. Most codes
require, and we recommend, install-
ing the water heater in a metal drain
pan that is piped through the fl oor
to the outside or to an adequate
drain. The drain pan must be at least
two inches wider than the diameter
of the water heater. Install the drain
pan so the water level would be lim-
ited to a maximum depth of 1-3/4”.
The pan must not restrict air fl ow to
the burner.
✓
Water
Temperature
Regula on
Install Thermosta c Mixing Valves to
regulate the temperature of the water
supplied to each point-of-use (for
example, kitchen sink, bathroom sink,
bath, shower). Install and adjust the
mixing valve according to its manufac-
turer’s instruc ons.
WARNING! Even if the water
heater’s thermostat is set to a
rela vely low temperature, hot water
can scald. Install Thermosta c Mixing
Valves at each point-of-use to reduce
the risk of scalding.
Figure 8: Thermostatic Mixing Valves installed at
each point-of-use can help avoid scalding
BACKGROUND: A Thermosta c Mix-
ing Valve, installed at each point-
of-use, mixes hot water from the
water heater with cold water to more
precisely regulate the temperature of
hot water supplied to fi xtures. If you
aren’t sure if your plumbing system is
equipped with properly installed and
adjusted Thermosta c Mixing Valves
at each point where hot water is used,
contact a qualifi ed person.
Step 2:
Ensure that the
enclosure is prepared
for installa on
WARNING! Do not store or use
fl ammable materials, vapors, or
liquids in the same loca on where this
water heater is installed.
Before installing your water heater,
ensure that the water heater can be:
• Installed in an enclosure that
meets the requirements
outlined in Enclosure InstallaƟ on
Requirements (page 9).
• Protected from freezing.
• Set in a metal drain pan piped to
an adequate drain.