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Strategy for downsizing main water heater or supplying instant Hot water
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How to wire under counter water
heater Strategy for downsizing main water heater or supplying instant Hot water |
 Support the economyBuy from my affiliate links: Under counter water heaters :Point of use water heaters |
 120V hardwire / 3/4" connections/ Fully repairable by homeowner |
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 Reliance 120 volt/ 1600 watt 6-10 gallon Side connections/ 6 year warranty Buy: Reliance water heaters 12-3 extension cords 12-2 Southwire cable Resources Reliance manual State manual |
 American 120V/ 1500 watt 6-12 gal Top connections/ 6 year warranty Buy: American 12 gallon 12-2 Southwire cable Resource: American manual |
 Rheem 2-6-10-20 gallon Side connections/ 6 year warranty Buy: Rheem point of use 12-2 Southwire cable Resource: Rheem manual |
 Buy: Sharkbite water heater connection Braided water heater line Copper flexible connection Advisory about stainless connections: Stainless is reactive with softened water, will cause deterioration of stainless. Stainless steel connection |
 Buy: Holdrite at Amazon Steel pegboard Hyloft storage hardware Garage storage Resource: Use 20 gallon water heater for tankless recirculation |
 Plug into 120V 3-prong outlet/ Temperature control on front/ 2.5 - 6 gallon/ Non-generic parts/ Repairable |
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 Ariston / Bosch 2.5 - 4 gallon - 7 gallon Top connections/ 2 year warranty Buy: Ariston at Amazon Bosch at Amazon Resources: Ariston resources Bosch P10 P5 |
 State / Reliance American/ are all AO Smith 2.5 - 6 gallon Top connections/ 6 year warranty Buy: Reliance 2.5 gal Amazon Resource: Reliance manual |
 Waiwela 2.5 - 4 gallon Top connections 6 year tank warranty Buy: Waiwela at Amazon Resource: Waiwela mini tank |
 Eemax 1.3 - 2.5 - 4 - 6 gallon 6 year tank warranty Buy: Eemax water heaters Chronomite 2.5 gallon Resource: Eemax manual/ parts |
 Stiebel Eltron 2.5 - 4 gallon Top connections 2 year warranty Buy: Stiebel Eltron water heater Resource: Steible 2.5 manual |
How to wire tankless electricTankless/ 120-240V hardwire/ 30 amp 10 gauge wire/ Tankless units are connected to incoming cold water line. Not DIY repair/ cannot be exposed to hard water. Requires dedicated circuit with no other load on breaker Resources How to wire tankless electric Match breaker size and wire |
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 Atmor tankless 2 year parts-7 year leak warranty 120-240 volt models Buy: at Amazon 120 Volt 30 amp Amazon Resources: Atmor Installation manual How to wire tankless electric Match breaker size and wire |
 Hardwire 120 Volt 7" x 11" x 3" Buy: Eemax SP3512 120V 3500 watt/ 30-40 amp Eemax SP35 240Volt Resources: Eemax tankless manual Sell sheet with wire size chart Troubleshoot |
 EcoSmart tankless Tankless Hardwire 120 Volt 7" x 11" x 3" .25 gpm Buy: EcoSmart water heater 3500 watt/ 30-40 amp 6000 watt/ 30-40 amp 18,000 watt/two 40 amp Resources: EcoSmart manual EcoSmart troubleshoot How to wire tankless electric |
 Tankless Hardwire 120 Volt Buy: Stieble mini 120V Amazon 3000 watt 30 amp Stieble mini 6 240 Volt 5700 watt 30 amp Stieble DHC 3-1 120 Volt 300 watt 30 amp Stieble DHC 6-2 240 Volt 6000 watt 30 amp Resources: Steible Eltron mini manual Stieble DCH manual |
 Hardwire 120 and 240V models Buy: at Amazon Chronomite water heater Resource: Chronomite manual Buy Bosch 3.4 120V 3400 watt/ 30 amp Bosch 9.5 240 Volt 9500 watt/ 40 amp Resource:: Bosch powerstar manual |
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1) What
size
tank water heater? 1:3 rule of thumb: If 1 gallon runs out before hot water arrives, then 3 gallon water heater is correct size. Before choosing: Look at Hot-cold Options below. Buy: Under counter water heaters Point of use water heaters |
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2)
Pay
attention to Hot and Cold inlets If hot-cold inlets are reversed, tank will not perform as expected. Incoming cold water must connect to Cold inlet at bottom of water heater |
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 a) Spend more for more hot water. b) Spend less for less hot water Buy: Chrome shut off valves |
3)
Connect water heater to hot or
cold? Do you connect the inlet to Cold water source, or connect to hot source (that comes from main water heater)? Option A: Connect to Hot source. See image This option draws hot water from main water heater ... so when the under counter tank runs out of hot water, more hot water arrives from main tank and temperature stays hot. Advantage: Quick
delivery of Hot, with plenty more hot on the way.
Disadvantage: If you are just washing hands or don't use much hot at that tap, then Option A costs more because cold water enters the main water heater each time hot is turned on. Option B: Connect to Cold source. See image When using under-counter water heater for hand-washing, this is best option Advantage: Quick
delivery of Hot, without drawing cold water into main water heater.
Disadvantage: The supply of hot at the tap is limited to what the small tank can supply. |
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 Larger imageOption A/ Connect to Hot source: hot water arrives from main tank as under-counter tank runs out of hot. Connect hot water source to the cold water inlet on tank Use teflon tape on threads Advantage option a: Plenty of Hot water. Problem with option a: Costs more. Each time small amount of hot is drawn from faucet, equal amount of cold water immediately enters main water heater. This causes the main water heater to operate more. How to solder pipe |
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 Larger imageOption B/ Connect to Cold source: spend less/ hot water limited to amount inside under-counter tank. When using under-counter water heater for hand-washing, this is best option. When installing tankless, use this option. Problem with option b: Hot water supply is limited to amount of hot water in under counter tank. Under counter water heater supplies all hot water at faucet. Advantage option b: Costs less. Each time hot is drawn from faucet, cold water does not enter main water heater. Connect cold water source to the cold water inlet on tank. Hot source pipe is capped. Use teflon tape on threads How to solder pipe |
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 What if... no drain
valve on tank?Some small tank type heater do not come with drain valve. Install drain valve on cold water inlet Install shut-off on cold water line Drain the water heater? Remove TP valve and siphon water from tank Buy: Lead-free ball valve Chrome shut off valves |
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 Buy: Kettle heaters |
Other
options/ Instead of installing under counter heater a) Use kettle heater/ note that 1500 watt kettle heater consumes as much power as microwave oven, and can quickly overamp a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker if circuit has other Loads operating at same time. b) DIY solar: Set 2 gallons water outside in sun each day c) Install recirculation system
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 4)
Do not drop water heaterCan break element, or damage outer shell. Interior steel tank would be hard to damage. Check elements ... if OK, then water heater should work Do not call the manufacturer and report problem, or warranty will be compromised. Resource How to troubleshoot electric water heater |
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 5)
Earthquake straps / safetyEarthquake areas ... Secure water heater to structure to avoid pipes and electrical coming loose. Tank type electric water heaters can be set on or against any wood, carpet, plastic etc surface. Electrical connections must be made inside electrically rated box or enclosure. No homemade boxes, covers etc. Hardwired heaters must be connected using 600 volt sheathed cable. No extension cords, unless plugged directly into outlet. Cover all electrical boxes and connections with electrically rated cover that matches box. Cover must stay in place. Electrical connections can be at top or on side.. Secure wire and conduit to structure. Buy: Earthquake straps Resources See earthquake strap illustration TP valve code |
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 Drip pan |
6)
Drip pan saves damage Drip pan saves damage Resource: See drip pan installation Buy: Water heater drip pans Buy: Water detectors Auto-shut-off valve |
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  7)
TP overflow codeOverflow tube cannot be inserted inside drain line, capped off, or be terminated where it can cause damage if TP releases water. Temperature-pressure relief valve is required for safe operation of water heater. DO NOT CAP OFF. TP spews scalding water when internal temperature and pressures exceed safe limits. This prevents water heater explosion. Direct overflow tube to nearby drain or to outside. Overflow tube must be as short as possible and same diameter as valve discharge connection. Do not downsize into smaller pipe. Overflow tube maximum 4 elbows and 30 feet length. Overflow must terminate 6" above drain or water line. Ideal to vent TP directly outdoors ending in a downward pipe. Overflow pipe must pitch downward, and cannot be under water. TP valve can draw water back into water heater if end of overflow tube is under water. End of overflow tube cannot be threaded. Gently open and close TP valve once each 1-3 years to make sure valve is functioning. Resource How to test, maintain, and replace TP valve |
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Soldering copper pipes? Most under-counter 6 gallon and 12 gallon water heaters have 1/2" connections. Avoid soldering directly to water heater. First, solder piece of pipe to male or female adapter, and then attach adapter to water heater. This will avoid direct torch heat on water heater. Resource How to solder copper pipes |
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 8) Insulate pipes, top of TP valve, and tank Do NOT block TP valve lever Electric water heater can be totally covered with insulation except TP valve |
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 Tank must be full of water |
9)
Tank
MUST be full of water before applying power Element will instantly burn out if tank is not full of water. Fill tank completely until faucet is running full stream THEN open TP valve momentarily to release last of air from top of tank. Once tank is full of water, power can be turned ON. Resources How to test element |
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| Finished install | ||
 Larger image Showing side connections, electric conduit top of tank, drain pan and TP overflow tube going to floor drain. Allow 6" space between TP overflow tube and floor drain. Or overflow tube can be directed outdoors Does not show drain valve installed. |
 Larger image Showing 120 volt plug and outlet for some models. Do not use extension cord. Outlet must have correct polarity and be grounded. Check outlet with circuit analyze. TP overflow tube has 6" space above floor drain. Drip pan has overflow tube touching floor drain. Resource Basic House wiring |
 Larger image Showing drain valve installed on cold water inlet Showing location of anode rod Resource How to replace anode rod |
| Electricity to Under counter water heater | |
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Never
assume power is OFF Use non-contact voltage tester on timer, on wire, on outlet to see if power is present. Press button on tester, if single beep then no power is present. If continuous beep then power is present. Never stand on bare ground, always stand on dry boards, do not hold or touch anything metal when working on timer or water heater that has power, tape tester leads to wood sticks, never touch wet water heater, or flooded water heater, or timer that had a short or fire without turning power OFF. Buy: Multimeters Buy non-contact voltage tester Electric testers |
 120Volt water heater |
 120
volt
water heater has Black and white wireCode says: use only approved 600 volt electrical wire. Do not use stranded wire for 14-12-10 gauge wiring. Use solid copper wire. Never use extension cord for permanent household wiring. Always connect ground wire. Make sure all connections are inside electrically rated enclosure with cover that fits. Typical 12-2, 120Volt electrical line has Black Hot, White Neutral, and bare ground. Connect black to black and white to white. Ground wire must be connected to ground screw. Join wires using twist on wire connector and twist very tight ... make sure all bare copper is covered. Resources How to twist wire and install wire connectors How to drop wire from attic Color code and wire rating Put cover over all electrical connections. |
| Calculate electrical demand 1) Read label on side of water heater. Find watt and volt rating. Watts divided by 120Volts = amperage 120Volt 1500 watt water heater consumes 12.2 amps. 2) Read label on dishwasher: Typical dishwasher consumes 6-11 amp at max draw. 3) Label circuit breaker that connects to dishwasher. Check other loads (lights, TV, etc) that are connected to same breaker. Add up total wattage of all items on breaker. Divide wattage by 120Volt to find total amp draw on breaker. Add 6-11 amps drawn by dishwasher to find total load. 4) Can you safely add another 12.2 amp water heater to the circuit? Electrical capacity calculation: 1) 15 amp breaker with 14 gauge wire is recommended at 80% rated load = 12 amp load. 2) 20 amp breaker with 12 gauge wire is recommended at 80% rated load = 16 amp load.  3) Combined load for dishwasher and water heater is 18.5-22.3 Amps. If you have 15 amp breaker or 20 amp breaker, then dishwasher and water heater should not be turned ON at same time. Hubble 750-1000 watt 2-1/2 gallon with 1/4" male connections |
 1500 Watt 2-1/2 to 6 gallon  Typical 1500 watt 20 gallon |
| No wire available for
120 volt installation? 120 volt under counter water heater requires dedicated breaker that serves no other appliance. What if you can't run another wire from the breaker box. No problem, split duty with the dishwasher, or microwave oven. The water heater does not need power full time. Dishwasher is only used now and then. Use a switch or a timer to toggle between each load. |
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 Buy:Dishwashers How to toggle between under counter water heater and dishwasher Same wiring for
either 120 or 240 volt loads
Code permits 15 or 20 amp switch on a 20 amp breaker ... as long as switch is rated for same voltage and more amps than Load (anything that consumes power is Load). Use only approved 600 volt, solid copper wire under screw terminals. Never use extension cord for permanent household wiring, unless plugged into outlet. Hardwired water heaters can be wired to 12 gauge extension cord, then plugged into outlet ... do not use 14 gauge cord.  Objective: Either the dishwasher has power or the under-counter water heater has power. But neither at same time. Why? Because safe maximum amps on 20 amp breaker is 80% or 16 amps ... while dishwasher and water heater together consume 23 amps. Do not install 30 amp circuit breaker unless wire is also increased in size from 12 ga to 10 gauge. Color code for wire How to wire: Incoming wire from breaker has 2 wires. If voltage is 120, then the white Neutral wire is never switched on-off. Connect white Neutral wire to each appliance. Black Hot wire is switched on-off. Connect Hot wire to COM terminal on the 3-way switch (dark or different color screw). Then run a Hot wire to each appliance from the other two screws on switched. Heavier amp loads, or more voltage, such as 30 amp 240 volt water heater, use a 30 amp 3-way switch (safe max 23 amps). Other options, for higher amperage loads and motor loads (such as irrigation pumps, shop tools etc), include using a switch (or timer) to toggle loads with 30-40 amp open frame relay. For heavier amp loads, or 240 volt ...Buy: Leviton 3033 switch 30 amp 3-way switch Resource: How to wire open frame relay |
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 Larger imageToggle between under counter water heater and dishwasher using small timer Small FM1 timer module is reliable, long lasting, and rated 15 amps. Timer can be installed inside a small plastic enclosure, and then install box cover. Buy 24 hour 120 volt FM1STUZ/ 24-120-240 Volt timer models |
Larger image Example wiring: 1) Buy plastic box with 3/4 Knockout. Or drill 1" hole. 2) Use 3/4" male adapter so all 3 wires enter box from same knock-out. 3) Attach timer with self-tapping screws. 4) Remove timer from box to connect terminal ends to timer 5) In this illustration, I trimmed the ground wires shorter and re-applied wire connector so all wires could fit into box before putting cover over box. 6) Attach box next to water heater. Make box accessible so times can be changed. Timer must be re-set to current time after power outage. |
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Wire
1500 watt water heater to FM1 timer FM1 timer rated for 21 amps/ max 2000 watts 21 amp x 120volt = 2520 watt x 80% = 2016 watts  Buy: FM1 timer module/ 7-day or 24 hour Intermatic/ Grasslin FM1 timers 24-hour 14 minute 120Volt 60 Hz 7-day 2 hour increments 120volt 60 Hz 24-Hour 240Volt 60 Hz 7-day 240Volt 60 Hz |
 Larger image Buy: Dishwashers |
Toggle between 240 volt
appliances: Toggle between 30 amp clothes dryer and 30 amp water heater. Toggle between 50 amp rang and 50 amp tankless water heater. Toggle between 240 volt appliances: Toggle between 30 amp clothes dryer and 30 amp water heater. Toggle between 50 amp rang and 50 amp tankless water heater. Choice of timers: Tork TU and DTU Intermatic GM40, GMQ, GM40AV, GM40AVE Woods WiFi GE Zwave See all these timers together |
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Support
the economy: Buy water heaters from my associate links: 50 gallon Gas water heaters 40 gallon gas water heaters 50 gallon Electric water heaters 40 gallon electric water heaters Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters Resources: How to install gas water heater How to install electric water heater Troubleshoot gas water heater Troubleshoot electric water heater Point of use water heaters |
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Buy Electronics Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Pentair pool Southwire electric |
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Buy
Tools DEWALT Black and Decker Stanley SKIL Makita Porter-Cable Bosch Irwin Hand tools Klein hand tools Fluke electrical testing Dremel hobby tools Campbell Hausfeld air powered Tekton automotive Powerbuilt automotive Saws and saw blades |
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Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
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Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts Enclosures |
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Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
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Recirculation systems |
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