If you need a new water heater installed, call Complete Comfort for guaranteed quality and friendly service.
Your water heater provides your entire home with the hot water supply necessary for your everyday activities. Ensuring the proper water heater installation improves your safety and provides more efficient functioning.
Our team at Complete Comfort guarantees a quality installation process that adheres to the water heater installation code requirements to provide the best water heater services in Greenwood, IN.
What Are Water Heater Installation Codes?
Water heater installation codes refer to the requirements necessary for a proper water heater installation process. These codes improve the safety, function, and longevity of your water heater equipment. Installation technicians use these codes as guidelines to provide the best installation for every customer.
Common Water Heater Installation Code Requirements
The U.S. Department of Energy appliance and equipment standards for water heaters and other consumer energy appliances aim to increase the safety and function of the systems. While the exact installation processes and requirements may vary depending on the type of equipment, home environment, and building codes, many installation code requirements provide universal guidelines.
Common water heater installation code requirements include the following.
Catch Pan Installation
If the installer sees the potential for leakage from the water heater that could cause water damage, the water heater installation code requires them to also install a catch pan. This catch pan goes underneath the leak point to collect any drips and protect the home from water damage that may cause mold, warped floors, or flooding.
Catch Pan Material Requirements
When a catch pan becomes necessary, additional requirements surrounding the materials of the catch pan apply. Catch pans require a composition of number 24 galvanized steel or plastic materials with a minimum thickness of .9mm.
Sometimes, alternative materials approved by the specific water heater manufacturer may also meet standards. For gas water heaters, any plastic catch pans need a material with a flame spread index of less than 25.
Water Heater Protection
Seismic Strap Installation
Some local codes in earthquake-prone areas may require seismic straps on the top and bottom of the water heater. These straps secure the heater to the wall to keep it upright and stable in the occurrence of an earthquake.
Check the local or building codes to determine if your area requires these straps during installation.
Proper Installation Locations
A water heater needs the right environment and space to reduce the chances of damage and safety concerns. The codes prohibit installing a water heater in an area that functions as a storage closet, bedroom, or bathroom. The installation location also requires that the combustion air that flows into the system does not come from an adjacent bedroom or bathroom.
Raised Heaters with Ignition Sources
The water heater installation code requirements state that gas- and oil-fired water heaters with an ignition source require a raised platform that lifts them at least 18 inches from the floor. This ensures that if a spark or flame occurs, it remains away from any possible flammable vapors that may appear on the floor.
Temperature Pressure Relief Valves
Every water heater needs a temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve. This valve prevents explosions by regulating the heat and pressure within the unit and releasing steam or water as necessary to keep the equipment safe and stable.
Discharge Pipe Installation and Direction
The water heater also needs a discharge pipe installed and attached to the TPR valve to reduce leaks and potential water damage when the TPR valve releases steam or drains extra water. This pipe should direct water to the outside of the home or an indoor catch pan or floor drain. The water heater installation codes specify that the water needs to easily drain to a safe area that won’t cause damage or flooding inside the home.
Additional requirements for water heat discharge pipes include:
- An air gap between the pipe and the drain
- Pipes that don’t connect directly to a drainage system
- Discharge pipe size no less than the size of the TPR valve
- Each discharge pipe should only serve one heater system
- No threaded ends
- Pipes ending no more than six inches above the floor
No Shutoff or Check Valves
The space between the TPR valve and the end of the discharge pipe cannot include any shutoff valves or check valves. This ensures that the system can drain properly and doesn’t reach extreme temperatures or pressure levels.
Local Fittings Requirements
Local restrictions may require the inclusion of dielectric fittings on your pipes and throughout the system. These fittings limit the corrosion of the pipes through various metals that come in contact with each other.
Sediment Traps
Water heaters also require a sediment trap which prevents the sediment and natural gasses from entering the system through the gas valve. This reduces the risk of damage and corrosion for the equipment, contributing to a cleaner and healthier water supply.
Quality and Code-Compliant Water Heater Installation from Complete Comfort
With these requirements in place, many customers still ask, “How long should a water heater last?” The answer can vary depending on the type of equipment and level of use, but with proper installation, your water heater system can last between 8 and 12 years for tank water heaters and up to 20 years for tankless heater systems.
Our team of expert installers and repair technicians follow these water heater installation code requirements with each installation they perform. These requirements make it easy for you to feel safe and secure in your home and help your water heater can last as long as possible with fewer repairs.
Get your new water heater installed with the necessary code requirements. Call us at Complete Comfort at (317) 754-8511 in Greenwood, IN, for an appointment.
Author Bio:
Brittany Katterjohn
Brittany is a marketer, entrepreneur, and writer with previous business development experience in the home maintenance industry. She currently manages the marketing for Complete Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing and has a passion for helping people by simplifying seemingly complicated topics related to home maintenance and repair.
