Residential Gas Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 21
INSTALLATION
INS
TALLA
TION
IF YOU HAVE COPPER PIPES:
If your home has copper water
pipes, you can solder the water pipe
connections or use compression
fittings which do not require
soldering. Compression fittings
are easier to install than soldering
pipe. Check with local plumbing
officials to determine what types of
pipe materials are suitable for your
location. Do not use lead-based
solder.
Compression fittings don’t require soldering.
NOTICE:
Do not solder pipes while
they are attached to the water heater.
The water heater’s inlet and outlet
connections 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 adapt
-
er using only 95/5 tin-antimony
or equivalent solder. Attach the
threaded adapters to the water
heater’s connections (using thread
sealant tape or pipe joint com
-
pound). Connect the home’s water
pipes by soldering, keeping the
connections at the water heater
cool with wet rags.
Step: 7
Connect the Water
Supply
Note that all piping and components
connected to the water heater must
be suitable for use with potable water.
1
Determine the type of water
pipes in your home. Most
homes use copper water
pipes, but some use CPVC or cross-
linked polyethylene (PEX). Use fittings
appropriate for the type of pipe in
your home. Do not use iron or PVC
pipe – they are not suitable for
potable water.
2
Connect the cold water
supply using ¾ inch National
Pipe Thread “NPT” to the
cold water inlet nipple.
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). Dielectric
unions can help prevent corrosion
caused by tiny electric currents
common in copper water pipes and
can help extend the life of the water
heater.
NOTICE:
Most water heater models
contain energy saving heat traps in
the inlet and outlet connections. Do
not remove the heat traps.
3
Connect the hot water supply
using ¾” NPT to the hot water
outlet. Follow the same
connection guidelines as for the cold
water supply.
4
Install insulation (or heat
tape) on the water pipes
especially if the indoor
installation area is subject to freezing
temperatures. Insulating the hot
water pipes can increase energy
efficiency.
5
Adjust (or install) the home’s
Pressure Reducing Valve to
50-60 psi and install a
Thermal Expansion Tank.
Figure 41 - A Pressure Reducing Valve is re
-
quired if your home’s water pressure is above
80 psi.
Figure 42 -
The Thermal Expansion Tank should
be pressurized with air to match the home’s
incoming water pressure.
