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Residen al Electric 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 the checklist below 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 4.) Most codes allow a
maximum incoming water pressure of
80 psi. We recommend a working pres-
sure no higher than 50-60 psi.
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 4 - 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 psi. If your home does not have
a Pressure Reducing Valve, install a
PRV on the home’s main water supply
line and set it to between 50 and 60
psi. Pressure Reducing Valves are avail-
able 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 psi. 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
increase caused by
thermal expansion
Verify that you have a properly sized
Thermal Expansion Tank (Figure 5). We
recommend installing an expansion
tank if your home does not have one.
Codes require a properly pressurized,
properly sized Thermal Expansion Tank
in almost all homes. (See photo on
inside front cover.)
Figure 5 - 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
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