Installation Guide

Residen al Gas Water Heater Use and Care Guide for Manufactured Homes • 17
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION
For ease of removing the water heater
for service or replacement, connect
the water pipes with a coupling
called a union. We recommend using
a dielectric-type union ( available at
your local plumbing supplier). Dielec-
tric unions can help prevent corro-
sion caused by  ny electric currents
common in copper water pipes and
can help extend the life of the water
heater. Dielectric unions can help pre-
vent corrosion caused by  ny electric
currents common in copper water
pipes and can help extend the life of
the water heater.
Figure 21: Heat traps installed in the inlet and
outlet connections help save energy.
NOTICE: Most water heater models
contain energy saving heat traps in the
inlet and outlet connec ons. Do not
remove the heat traps.
3
Connect the hot water supply
using 3/4 inch NPT to the
fi  ng marked “H” (HOT).
4
Install insula on (or heat
tape) on the water pipes
especially if the indoor
installa on area is subject to freezing
temperatures. Insula ng the hot water
pipes can increase energy effi ciency.
5
Adjust (or install) the home’s
Pressure Reducing Valve to
50-60 psi and install a Thermal
Expansion Tank.
Figure 22: A Pressure Reducing Valve is required
if your home’s water pressure is above 80 psi.
Figure 23: The Thermal Expansion Tank should
be pressurized with air, using a hand pump, to
match the home’s incoming water pressure.
IF YOU HAVE COPPER PIPES:
If your home has copper water pipes,
you can solder the water pipe connec-
 ons or use compression fi  ngs which
don’t require soldering. Compression
fi  ngs are easier to install than solder-
ing pipe. Check with local plumbing
offi cials to determine what types of
pipe materials are suitable for your
loca on. Do not use lead-based solder.
NOTICE: Do not solder pipes while
they are a ached to the water heater.
The water heater’s inlet and outlet
connec ons contain non-metallic parts
which could be damaged. The proper
way to connect the water heater to
copper water pipes is as follows:
• Solder a short length of pipe (about
a foot or so) to a threaded adapter
using only 95/5  n-an mony or
equivalent solder. A ach the thread-
ed adapters to the water heater’s
connec ons (using Tefl on® tape or
pipe joint compound). Connect the
home’s water pipes by soldering,
keeping the connec ons at the water
heater cool with wet rags.
Compression fi  ngs don’t require soldering.