Can I Use an Exterior Tankless Water Heater in Washington County Utah

Hot water is essential for every household. Tank water heaters take up a lot of space inside a house. They are large and bulky and can cause harm if a leak occurs. Homeowners are always looking for the all-time fashion to hide a water heater, fifty-fifty if that means installing it outside.

You tin install water heaters outside in certain instances. Electrical and gas tank-style water heaters are not designed to be installed outside without shelter. On the other mitt, gas tankless water heaters have exterior models installed outside. You can also install electric tankless water heaters outside with some sheltering recommended to protect the unit from the weather.

To expand on this, installing a water heater outside depends on two master factors:

• your climate
• type of water heater

Nosotros will look at both gas and electrical tankless and tank-style h2o heaters

Where to Install a Tankless Gas Water Heater

Tankless h2o heaters are popular because they are compact, free energy-efficient, and produce a seemingly endless hot water supply. Water on demand is the main driving force.

You can buy a tankless gas water heater in exterior and interior models. The units are specific to each installation, so you need to know which installation method you use earlier purchasing. In other words, you can't install interior tankless outside and vice versa.

You can tell the divergence betwixt the 2 based on venting. The tankless outdoor units take built-in venting located in the front of the unit. The indoor tankless water heaters need a vent flue attachment at the elevation.

Outdoor tankless water heater models work for outdoor installations similar on the exterior wall of your house. They have a built-in vent on the front of outdoor heaters.

Indoor tankless water heater models require indoor installation. They can't withstand astringent weather conditions, like outdoor models. They are commonly installed within a garage with venting to the exterior, usually through the exterior wall.

Indoor installations of tankless h2o heaters are unremarkably along the interior side of an exterior wall. While uncommon, installation inside a basement, interior room, or cranium is an option. A garage is a popular installation location. The most of import consideration is proper ventilation of exhaust gases to the outside.

These methods typically include the tankless water heater installed with a recirculation system and water heater storage tank. Both outdoor and indoor gas models produce the same gallons per infinitesimal (GPM flow rate) of hot water output considering the incoming cold water temperature determines hot h2o product more so than its location.

Insider'southward Tip: Keep code requirements in mind when installing an outdoor unit, it should not be installed inside four feet below or to the side, and 1 foot above, whatsoever door or operable window that can be opened. This is to prevent carbon monoxide from entering into the living space.

Where to Install a Tankless Electric Water Heater

The popularity of tankless electrical water heaters is growing rapidly, particularly in small spaces like tiny houses, apartments, condos, and RVs. Other uses include outdoor spaces such as pool houses and outdoor showers where you lot don't need a large output of hot water.

Electric units have whole-house installation options. Yet, you need to read the specifications carefully considering these units have limitations and tin toll a lot of coin to operate if a significant demand for hot h2o occurs.

Nonetheless, these units have proved ideal for modest spaces, for example, where only one bathroom and a kitchen are present. I would not recommend them for a family unit of more than two as a whole-house selection.

Y'all tin can install an electric unit of measurement exterior. We recommend shelter to protect it from rain and cold atmospheric condition. Platonic applications include outdoor kitchens, pool houses, and outdoor showers.

Both gas and electric models have superior free energy efficiency compared to tank models.

Are you shopping for a tankless h2o heater? Bank check out our Buyers Guide: What Tankless Water Heater Do I Need?

Can You Install a Tank Water Heater Outside

Electric and gas tank water heaters should not exist in outdoor locations without shelter. We recommend installations inside the garage, storage expanse, attic, or indoors. Some exceptions exercise use.

If you lot live in a warm climate that doesn't have harsh winters, you lot tin install them in an outdoor water heater enclosure or weatherproof shelter. Outdoor locations are not best in cold conditions. Different tankless models, tank models make h2o heating harder and less energy efficient.

Yet, an outdoor water heater enclosure is not for all tank water heaters. The bore of the water heater cannot exceed xxx inches, which volition eliminate some models. Typically these enclosures volition fit up to an lxxx-gallon h2o heater.

I don't normally recommend galvanized steel enclosures considering they are not constructed with a back and are generally non sealed or insulated. The steel enclosure doesn't have a back considering it sits up against the business firm. These enclosures are too decumbent to leaks from rainfall which can crusade the tank'due south exterior to rust.

If y'all intend to install a water heater outside inside a galvanized steel enclosure, we recommend that you not install the water heater directly on the footing. Yous can use a raised platform or buy a steel raised water heater stand and then that water does not collect in the bottom of the enclosure and rust out the tank. Likewise, if using a gas water heater, you don't want water collecting in the burner chamber.

Also, if you install a water heater in an exterior storage edifice, you should consider using a water heater blanket.

Moving a tank water heater outside can save floor space but y'all'll lose some energy-saving benefits. Installing tank-style models outside can feel higher energy costs as free energy consumption increases.

Can a Heat Pump Water Heater exist Installed Outside

You can't install heat pump water heaters outside. These units are also non recommended in unheated spaces, such as garages, because they would rely more on the electric mode due to the wide variances in temperature of the air surrounding the h2o heater.

Ideally, heat pump models crave more space than tank models because they are taller. They too need more than space to operate correctly; manufacturers recommend 100sf to ensure enough airflow around the unit of measurement. So, the platonic space would exist a laundry room or mechanical room.

Suppose you would like to larn more about oestrus pump water heaters. In that case, our article Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heaters: Benefits, Cost, & Savings is a consummate guide to the benefits, costs, and savings associated with these units.

Common Areas Water Heater tin be Installed

Tank-Style H2o Heater

Yous can install a tank-style water heater just about anywhere in your domicile. The most common areas are:

• Garages – attached unheated spaces
• Basements – unfinished and finished spaces which unremarkably house mechanical systems
• Attics – unfinished spaces above the living space.

All the same, you tin can also install tank heaters inside your abode:

• Kitchens – common in older homes where metallic box cabinets would house a small water heater. It can likewise be found nether sinks and within cabinets underneath countertops.
• Bathrooms – also common in older homes where the hot water heater would be located inside a closet. Hot water would flow to the fixtures quicker.
• Laundry rooms – often near the apparel washer.
• Interior closets – such as nether staircases or in hall closets.

Insider's Tip: Continue in mind that interior units need to accept a drain pan with a discharge pipe directed to the house'southward exterior. Gas water heaters besides demand an 18-inch stand up to elevate the water heater to protect the burner chamber from flammable vapors, and a terminate post is necessary (inside a garage).

Tankless Water Heaters

As I mentioned earlier, the tankless water heater comes in ii models. Outdoor models need installing on the exterior of your home, and indoor models on an interior surface and vented outside.

Exterior Tankless Water Heaters

Let's expect at the outdoor models offset. Outdoor tankless h2o heater installation is best on a sunny sidewall that is not easily visible for warmth and aesthetic purposes.

Tankless water heaters installed on the outside must stay every bit warm as possible, peculiarly during winter. It is also essential to have the h2o supply lines insulated to prevent freezing.

Many people are installing fencing or another decorative covers to hide the view of the tankless water heater and maximize curb entreatment.

Interior Tankless Water Heaters

An indoor unit of measurement installation can exist in garages or basements. While uncommon, some installations are inside attics while others are on interior rooms along the interior side of an exterior wall. As we mentioned before, the indoor tankless water heater needs to exist located on an exterior wall to vent it to the outside.

Attics are the exception considering venting through the roof is an option like a gas furnace. Indoor tankless units can be mounted to wood framing in the attic, simply similar other interior areas.

Conclusion

Whether shopping for a new house or just shopping for a new h2o heater to install in your current home, consider your existing water heater location, professional installation is best when y'all demand alterations to the plumbing to achieve your desired goals.

Professional installation of a water heater will provide years of reliable service (with routine maintenance). Indoor installation is best for tank heaters. Either way, a water heater can last many years, even one that is exterior.

DISCLAIMER: The content published on HomeInspectionInsider.com is not professional advice. You should consult with a licensed professional person and check local permit requirements before starting any project.

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