Operating Guide

Residen al Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 7
INSTALLATION
Follow these steps for proper
installa on:
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 installing the
following accessories and any other
needed changes to bring your home up
to the latest code requirements.
Use this checklist and inspect your
home. Install any devices you need to
comply with codes and assure that your
new water heater performs at its best.
Check with your local plumbing offi cial
for more informa on.
✓
Water pressure
We recommend checking your
home’s water pressure with a pressure
gauge (
Figure 66). Most codes allow
a maximum incoming water pressure
of 80 psi/550 kpa. We recommend a
working pressure no higher than 50-60
psi/345-414 kpa.
HOW: Purchase an inexpensive water
pressure gauge available at
Lowe’s®.
Connect the Water Pressure Gauge
to an outside faucet and measure the
maximum water pressure experienced
throughout the day (highest water
pressures o en occur at night).
Figure 6 - Use a Water Pressure Gauge to
make sure your home’s water pressure is
not too high.
To limit 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 psig. If your home does not
have a Pressure Reducing Valve, install
a PRV on the home’s main water sup-
ply line and set it to between 50 and
60 psig. Pressure Reducing Valves are
available at
Lowe’s® .
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 exceed 100 psig. 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/
Thermal Expansion
Verify that you have a properly sized
Thermal Expansion Tank (
Figure 77).
We recommend installing an expan-
sion tank if your home does not have
one. Codes require a properly pressur-
ized, properly sized Thermal Expansion
Tank in almost all homes. (See illustra-
 on on inside front cover.)
Figure 7 - A Thermal Expansion Tank helps
protect the home’s plumbing system from
pressure spikes.
HOW: Connect the Thermal Expan-
sion Tank (available at
Lowe’s® ) 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 according to the water
heater’s tank capacity and pressurized
to match the home’s incoming water
pressure. Refer to the installa on
instruc ons provided with the Thermal
Expansion Tank for installa on details.
INSTALLATION