Page 194 - 8170 Money Builder Binder for Owner_Neat

INSTALLATION

BACKGROUND: Water expands when sult the valve manufacturer’s instruc-
heated, and the increased volume Ɵ ons or a qualiĮ ed person.
of water must have a place to go, or WARNING! Even if the water heater
thermal expansion will cause large thermostat is set to a relaƟ vely low
increases in water pressure (despite temperature, hot water can scald.
Install ThermostaƟ c Mixing Valves at
the use of a Pressure Reducing Valve
each point-of-use to reduce the risk of
on the home’s main water supply
scalding (page 4).
line). The Safe Drinking Water Act of
1974 requires the use of backŇ ow Figure 6 -ര A suitable drain pan piped to an
preventers and check valves to restrict adequate drain can help protect flooring BACKGROUND: A ThermostaƟ c Mix-
from leaks and drips. ing Valve, installed at each point-
water from your home reentering
• Install a suitable drain pan (avail- of-use, mixes hot water from the
the public water system. BackŇ ow able at your local plumbing suppli-
preventers are oŌ en installed in water er) under the water heater (Figure water heater with cold water to more
meters and may not be readily visible. 6) to catch condensation or leaks precisely regulate the temperature of
in the piping connections or tank. hot water supplied to Į xtures. If you
As a result, most all plumbing systems
Most codes require, and we recom- aren’t sure if your plumbing system
today are now “closed,” and almost all
mend, installing the water heater is equipped with properly installed
homes now need a Thermal Expan- in a drain pan that is piped to an
sion Tank. adequate drain. The drain pan must and adjusted ThermostaƟ c Mixing
be at least two inches wider than Valves at each point where hot water
is used, contact a qualiĮ ed person for
the diameter of the water heater.
INSTALLATION cal and inexpensive way to help avoid ᅚ Water tempera-
A Thermal Expansion Tank is a pracƟ -
Install the drain pan so the water
more informaƟ on.
level would be limited to a maxi-
damage to the water heater, washing
mum depth of 1-3/4”.
machine, dishwasher, ice maker and
even toilet valves. If your toilet oc-
casionally runs for no apparent reason
(usually brieŇ y at night), that may be
due to thermal expansion increasing ture regulaƟ on
the water pressure temporarily.
Water pipe and tank

leaks

Leaks from plumbing pipes or from
the water heater itself can damage
property and could cause a Į re risk.
• Install an automatic leak detec-
tion and shutoff device (available
at your local plumbing supplier). Figure 7 -ര Thermostatic Mixing Valves
These devices can detect water installed at each point -of-use can help
prevent scalds.
leaks and can shut off the water
heater’s water supply if a leak Install ThermostaƟ c Mixing Valves
occurs. (Figure 7) to regulate the temperature
of the water supplied to each point-
of-use (for example, kitchen sink,
bathroom sink, bath, shower). Con-

8 • ResidenƟ al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide