[MUSIC PLAYING]
A water heater is one of the most important appliances
in your home.
Unfortunately, most people don't even
think about their water heater until there's a problem.
A typical tank-type water heater might last from 6 to 12 years.
To find out how old your water heater is,
you look for the date that it was
manufactured on a label that looks like this.
Or better yet, look for a handwritten installation date.
Most electric water heaters have two heating elements,
like this.
They're located at the bottom and at the top of the tank.
As electricity passes through the element,
it heats up the water inside the tank.
Replacing an electric water heater
doesn't require any venting or gas connections,
but it's still a good idea to work with a licensed plumber.
The first step is to check the labels on the old tank
to determine the size and energy specifications of the new unit.
Before buying a new water heater,
be sure to check your local plumbing and building codes
and make sure the space around the tank will be adequate.
Turn off the power to the water heater
at the main circuit breaker or the fuse box.
And use a noncontact voltage tester
to ensure that the power is off.
Disconnect the conductor.
Cap them temporarily.
And remove the metal-clad cable from the water heater.
Then turn on the nearest hot water faucet
and run it until the water is cool.
Because the water heater is shut off, the hot water in the tank
will be replaced by cold water, making it easier and safer
to drain the tank.
Once the water runs cool, leave that faucet open
and turn off the cold water supply
that's located at the top of the water heater.
It's the closest shut-off valve.
Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and empty the tank.
If you don't have a floor drain, you
may need to use buckets or a pump
to remove all the water from the tank.
On this installation, we decided it was a good time
to replace the old shutoff valve.
So we shut off the main water supply and drained the pipes.
Now it's time to disconnect the hot and cold water
connections to the heater.
If your existing water it has union connections at the top,
you could just break those connections
using a couple of wrenches.
If the piping has been sautered into place,
use a tubing cutter to cut the pipe.
Here's a tip-- clean the pipe with emery cloth
before cutting the pipe.
This will make it easy to prep for the sauter connection
later.
And have a bucket handy in case there's
any water left in the pipe.
You may want to remove the overflow
pipe from the temperature and pressure relief valve.
You may be able to reinstall this pipe on the new unit.
With a helper, remove the old tank.
Keep in mind that sediment may have
accumulated in the bottom of the tank and it may be very heavy.
Check with your local sanitation or recycling company
to dispose of the tank properly.
Then clean the floor and prepare for the new water year.
Depending on the installation location,
you may want to install a drain pan, like this,
under the new tank.
If you plumb it to a floor drain,
it could really prevent damage if the water heater ever leaks.
Align the new unit with at least 6 inches of clearance
on all sides.
And make sure to allow easy access
to the thermostat controls.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines
and local code requirements to ensure the location
meets all clearances.
Use a level and shims to level the water either as needed.
This is the most important safety device on any water
here.
It's called a temperature and pressure relief valve,
or TNP valve for short.
It's designed to release water if it ever
reaches more than 210 degrees.
That's just below steam, or 150 pounds
per square inch of pressure.
If the thermostat on your water heater ever malfunctions,
this little valve could keep your tank from exploding.
It's very important.
If your water doesn't come with a new one,
be sure to purchase one.
And do not try to reuse the one from the old tank.
If they're not already attached, install the hot and cold heat
trap fittings to the tank.
It's very important that these fittings are installed
in the proper direction.
Now it's time to reattach the hot and cold supply lines.
Flexible braided stainless connectors like this
may make the installation a little easier.
But for this installation, we've made new sautered connections
with copper pipe.
It's a good idea to install a vacuum
breaker on the cold water line to the tank.
Once the water connections are made,
fill the tank by opening the valve on the cold water line.
You'll know that the tank is completely
filled when water comes from the hot water
side of a nearby faucet.
Make sure to check for leaks.
If you have any, you'll have to drain the water out
of the piping and resauter or reconnect the fittings.
Now you can make the electrical connections.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions
and make sure to connect the ground wire into the ground
screw to ensure the heater is properly grounded.
To adjust the thermostat, remove the access plate.
The thermostat setting is in 10-degree increments.
And the recommended temperature is 120 degrees.
If your water heater has two heating elements,
make sure both thermostats are set to the same temperature.
Finally, with all the connections made
and the temperature set, you can restore the power
by turning the circuit breaker back on.
For a homeowner, replacing an electric water heater
can be a big job.
But when it's installed and maintained properly,
it will keep you in hot water for many years.