How to Install an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Celebration, Florida to help a homeowner select and install the right electric water heater
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Time: 3-4 hours
Cost: $1000
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Installing an Electric Heat Pump:
Hose
Pipe cutters
Shopping List:
Electric heat pump water heater
Pipe and fittings to match existing water pipes
Correct adhesives for existing pipes (PVC glue, solder and flux, etc.)
Vacuum valve
T&P valve
Steps:
1. Shut the power off to the electric water heater and shut off the main water supply to the house.
2. Connect a hose to the bottom of the tank and run the hose to outside. Drain the old water heater.
3. Use the pipe cutters to cut the pipes to the water heater and remove it.
4. Put the new heat pump water heater into place.
5. Connect the new water heater to the main water supply using the appropriate size and type of pipes to match the existing water line.
6. Install a vacuum valve near the top of the water heater to prevent the water heater from collapsing in on itself in case it is turned off.
7. Be sure that the water heater has a T&P valve and that it is correctly installed.
8. Some installations may require an expansion valve or expansion tank.
9. Turn the water and the electricity back on.
Resources:
Richard installed the Voltex® Hybrid Electric Heat Pump water heater, manufactured by A.O. Smith (/) to save electricity over a conventional tank style water heater.
The other materials used for this project, including PVC piping, PVC glue, pipe cutters, and wrenches can all be found at home centers.
In the workshop, Richard discusses which homeowners should consider a whole-house electric tankless. Expert assistance with this portion was provided by Bosch Thermotechnology (/).
Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Jim’s Plumbing and Irrigation of Orlando, Florida.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Install an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater | Ask This Old House
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