Thinking Of Replacing Your Water Heater? Watch This First, by The DIY HVAC Guy on YouTube. 30 min 50 s.
- Video length
- 30 min 50 s
- Time to do it
- 4 hours
- Difficulty
- Takes practice
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Turn off the power at the breaker for an electric heater, or shut the gas valve on the supply line for a gas unit. Never work on a live heater.
Close the cold water shutoff valve on the pipe feeding the top of the tank. Open a hot tap in the house to release pressure.
Screw a garden hose onto the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run the other end to a floor drain or outside.
Open the drain valve and let the tank empty. Open a hot tap upstairs so air can get in, and expect it to take 20 to 30 minutes.
Disconnect the flexible water lines with two wrenches, one holding the fitting and one turning the nut. Remove the vent pipe or gas line as needed.
Lift the old heater onto a dolly with a helper and move it out. Tanks full of sediment are heavier than they look.
Set the new heater in place, level it, and connect the water lines. Use dielectric unions or nipples to stop corrosion between steel and copper.
Reconnect the gas line with new sealant, or wire the electric unit to match the old one, usually a 30 amp double breaker and 10 gauge wire.
Fill the tank before restoring power or gas. Open the cold valve and let hot taps run until water flows steadily with no sputtering.
Turn the power or gas back on, light the pilot if needed, then check every fitting for leaks after the water heats up.
Tips and common mistakes
Heating an empty electric tank burns out the elements in seconds, so always fill it first.
Open the temperature and pressure relief valve once a year to clear sediment and confirm it works.
Take a photo of the old wiring or gas connections before you disconnect anything.
Check with your local building department, since many areas require a permit for a heater swap.
Questions
How do I know when to replace rather than repair?
If the tank itself is leaking, the unit is over 10 years old, or you keep replacing parts, replacement is usually cheaper. Leaks from the tank body cannot be patched.
Can I switch from electric to gas or the other way?
That means new venting, gas piping, or a new circuit, so it is a bigger job. Stick with the same fuel type unless you hire a licensed contractor.
How long does a new water heater last?
Most tanks last 8 to 12 years. Flushing sediment once a year and checking the anode rod helps you get the longer end of that range.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
