Can a hot water heater be placed outside? The Short Answer:
Absolutely
. Not only is it possible to put a water heater outside, but specific models are specifically designed to make it easy for homeowners to do just that.
Can you put your hot water heater outside?
Electric and gas tank-style water heaters are not designed to be installed outside without shelter
. On the other hand, 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.
Where should a hot water heater be placed?
The ideal location for your water heater is
inside the home
. Most installations are small and unobtrusive so they will easily fit in a pantry, under the stairs, or under your sink. If you must place the water heater outside, make sure it's safe from direct sunlight, rain, and insects.
Does a hot water heater need to be enclosed?
Water heaters must be surrounded by a certain amount of clearance, or air space, to function properly and safely
. A clearance area of 12 inches is required on all sides of a hot water heater. A certain amount of airflow is also required for proper combustion and ventilation.
How do I install a hot water heater outside?
How do I protect my outdoor water heater?
- Install Your Water Heater in a Warm Place. …
- Drain Your Water Heater. …
- Maintain a Power Source. …
- Consider a Recirculation System. …
- Insulate, Insulate, Insulate. …
- Run a Trickle of Water.
Can a water heater sit on a concrete floor?
Electric water heaters can sit directly on the concrete floor
. There is no risk of accidental ignition of spilled flammable liquids with electric water heaters.
Does location of water heater matter?
Why Does Water Heater Placement Matter?
Water heater placement matters if you ever have a leak
. A leaking water heater that is placed in an incorrect spot can damage siding, ruin flooring, wreck personal belongings, and more.
Can I put hot water heater in garage?
Can Water Heaters Be Installed in a Garage?
Yes, you can install your water heater in the garage
. I have my hot water heater installed in my garage, actually. If there's no good location anywhere else in your home, the garage is a great location for a water heater.
Should tankless water heaters be installed outside?
A tankless water heater can be installed outside if it's designed to withstand harsh weather patterns
. There are specific models designed for indoor and outdoor usage, so you have to choose the correct type.
How much ventilation does a water heater need?
As a general rule, water heaters need
50 cubic feet of air per 1,000 BTUs/hr
. For example, a water heater with an input of 40,000 BTUs/hr should be in a room (often the garage) with at least 2,000 cubic feet of air.
Does a water heater need ventilation?
All natural gas water heaters must be vented to the outdoors to remove the byproducts of combustion
. Atmospherically venting gas water heaters is the most common type of venting option used.
Why are water heaters outside in California?
California, like much of the West Coast, is
vulnerable to earthquakes
. For this reason, water heaters must be fitted with earthquake straps to keep the appliance safely in place in the event of an earthquake.
Can an outdoor tankless water heater be installed in a garage?
As long as enough combustion air is provided, tankless water heaters can be installed in place of your old water heater or anywhere in your home
. This includes utility rooms, garages, basements, attics, or mounted on outside walls. They can even be installed in locations where a storage water heater wouldn't fit.
Can you put a hot water heater under the house?
The International Residential Code (IRC) allows water heater installation in a crawl space
(an unconditioned space under a home, just a few feet high, and over bare dirt), but there are multiple requirements for the installation: Water heater must be approved by manufacturer for crawl space installation (IRC M1302.
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor tankless water heaters?
An indoor tankless water heater is installed inside your home. An outdoor unit is installed outside the home and is designed to withstand the elements
. If you live in a climate where temperatures drop below freezing, you must always be sure to take precautions to avoid freeze damage, such as draining the unit.
Can exterior water heaters freeze?
Most indoor and outdoor tankless water heaters have built-in freeze protection for when temperatures drop between -5 degrees and -22 degrees Fahrenheit
. However, you still run the risk of having your water heater freeze if you aren't taking the necessary precautions for when the temperatures drop below a certain level.
Can a hot water heater freeze?
Any water heater can freeze if water is left inside it
Tank
water heaters usually hold between 40 and 55 gallons and can require electricity. So when the power goes out in freezing temperatures, the water eventually can freeze, expand and burst the storage tank.
How do I keep my outside water tank from freezing?
One of the best—and cheapest—ways to limit the risk of freezing is to
insulate the tank
. This involves wrapping the top and sides with blankets made from fiberglass, mineral wool, ceramic fiber, or some other cushioning material.
Why does a water heater need to be elevated?
The code states that “appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor in garages,” and the purpose of this stipulation is
fire safety
. Any gasoline leaking from a car parked in the garage creates flammable fumes that are heavier than air and settle near the floor.
Should electric water heater be elevated?
Water heaters only need to be raised (per code) if they are using an ignitable fuel source (gas, propane, etc). And even then, the code is that the ignition mechanism is what needs to be raised. If your water heater is electric or a heat pump,
no need to raise it per code
.
Should an electric hot water heater be off the floor?
Keeping your water heater off the floor will help in the event of flooding, water damage, or excessive moisture on the ground that can possibly damage your water heater tank through corrosion
. Even more important, you don't want your gas water heater to come into contact with flammable materials.
Can you enclose a water heater?
In most instances, a home's water heater is placed in the basement. When the basement is finished so it can be used for another purpose, leaving the water heater in plain view can detract from the appearance of the room.
You can enclose the water heater by building a wall around it and constructing a utility closet
.
Can a water heater be relocated?
A professional may need to be called in to reroute natural gas and water lines from the existing location of the water heater to its new location within your home
. Factor in the added expense of re-piping as you evaluate the costs of moving your water heater.
Why do they put hot water heaters in the attic?
Because the attic is technically an extra space at home, placing your water heater there will
help you save more important spaces around the house
. It frees up more space needed in the garage, for example. For many homes, the attic has become a storage room for unused things such as furniture and old clothes.
Is a water heater in a garage considered indoor or outdoor?
There are two basic fuel types of tankless water heaters – electric or gas (natural or propane).
Electric tankless water heaters are designed to be installed indoors in the garage, basement, or interior wall
. Both natural and propane gas tankless water heaters have indoor and outdoor models.
What is code for a water heater in a garage?
7
Water Heaters Installed in Garages.
Does an electric water heater need to be elevated in a garage?
Water heaters having an ignition source shall be elevated so that the source of ignition is not less than 18” above the garage floor
. An ignition source could be many things, including an open flame, electrical switch, open resistance heating coils, or an electrical igniter unit.
What is code for venting a hot water heater?
Can I vent a hot water heater horizontally?
The venting can run either vertically or horizontally
with a longer line to help with space and sizing issues within your home, which makes power vent water heaters more flexible to install. Power vents are a more efficient option, as they are designed to utilize heat from the exhaust to heat water for energy savings.
Can I use PVC to vent gas water heater?
A standard will be needed for plastic flue pipes that should include a temperature gauge and a high limit probe. Then
PVC, CPVC and polypropylene flue gas piping can be safely used on high efficiency boilers and water heaters
.
How far can you vent a water heater horizontally?
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a water heater?
Home furnaces and water heaters are a major source of carbon monoxide poisoning
, usually from poorly vented fuel sources or leaking vent pipes. Ideally, you should have your furnace and water heater inspected by a professional at least once a year.
How long do water heaters last?
Typically a residential hot water heater lasts
between 6 and 13 years
. Beyond 12 years, you are on borrowed time!
Can you put a hot water heater under the house?
The International Residential Code (IRC) allows water heater installation in a crawl space
(an unconditioned space under a home, just a few feet high, and over bare dirt), but there are multiple requirements for the installation: Water heater must be approved by manufacturer for crawl space installation (IRC M1302.
Does a tankless water heater go inside or outside?
An indoor tankless water heater is installed inside your home. An outdoor unit is installed outside the home
and is designed to withstand the elements. If you live in a climate where temperatures drop below freezing, you must always be sure to take precautions to avoid freeze damage, such as draining the unit.
