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How to install point of use water heater/ strategy for downsizing main water heater

Buy:
Under counter water heaters at Amazon
Point of use water heaters at Amazon

Under-counter/ point-of-use water heaters shown here are electric
What size do you need? If you need to run out 1 gallon before getting hot water, then use 3 gallon under-counter

120V hardwire or use 12-3 extension cord

3/4" connections

2 to 20 gallons

Same-day repair; using generic parts (except marathon)

Repairable by homeowner

Reliance water heater
Reliance
6-10 gallon
Side connections/ 
6 year warranty
Buy
Reliance water heaters
12-3 extension cords
12-3 southwire cable
Resources
Reliance manual
State manual
American tiny titan water heater
American 
6-12 gal
Top connections/ 
6 year warranty
Buy
American tiny at Amazon
12-3 extension cords
12-3 southwire cable
Resource:
American manual
State point of use water heater
Rheem 
2-6-10-20 gallon
Side connections/
6 year warranty
Buy
Rheem point of use
12-3 extension cords
12-3 southwire cable
Resource:
Rheem manual

water heater stand
Buy:
Holdrite at Amazon
Steel pegboard
Hyloft storage hardware
Garage storage

Resource;
How to 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

Ariston water heater
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 point of use water heater
State / Reliance
American/ are all AO Smith
2.5 - 6 gallon
Top connections/
6 year warranty
Buy
American 2.5 Amazon
Reliance 6 gal Amazon
Resource:
Reliance manual
Waiwela awter heater
Waiela
2.5 - 4 gallon
Top connections
6 year tank warranty
Buy
Waiwela at Amazon
Resource:
Waiwela mini tank
Emax point of use water heater
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 point of use
Stiebel Etron 
2.5 - 4 gallon
Top connections
2 year warranty
Buy:
Stiebel Eltron water heater
Resource
Steible 2.5 manual

Tankless

120-240V hardwire
30 amp 10 gauge wire
Must be dedicated circuit with no other load on breaker Some repairs possible

Tankless units are always connected to incoming cold water line.
Tank-type heaters shown above are connected to either hot or cold incoming water.

How to wire tankless electric
tankless under counter
Atmor
2 year parts-7 year leak warranty
120-240 volt models
Buy at Amazon
120 Volt 30 amp Amazon

Resource:
Atmor Installation manual
Eemax point of use water heater
Eemax 
Hardwire 120 Volt
7" x 11" x 3"
Buy
Eemax SP3512 120V
3500 watt/ 30-40 amp
Eemax SP35 240Volt

Resource
Eemax tankless manual
Sell sheet with wire size chart
Troubleshoot
Ecosmart point of use
Ecosmart 
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

Resource:
Ecosmart manual
Ecosmart troubleshoot
How to wire tankless electric
Stieble Etron point of use
Stieble Etron Mini 
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

Resource:
Steible Eltron mini manual
Stieble DCH manual
Chronomite tankless water heater
Chronomite
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


1) What size 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 heater:
Under counter water heaters at Amazon
Point of use water heaters at Amazon
Support economy
Buy water heater my affiliate link:
Under counter water heaters from Amazon
:Point of use water heaters at Amazon
Under counter water heater

2) Pay attention to Hot and Cold inlets

If inlets are reversed, tank will not perform as expected.
Source of water must connect to Cold inlet on water heater
GE20P06SAG
Larger image

What if... no drain valve on tank?

Install drain valve on cold water inlet
Install shut-off on cold water line

No drain valve on water heater?
Remove TP valve and siphon water from tank

under counter water heater
a) Spend more for more hot water.
b) Spend less for less hot water

Buy:
Chrome shut off valves at Amazon

3) Connect water heater to hot or cold?

a: Connect to Hot source. See image
Costs more: This draws hot water from main water heater so after under counter tank gets cool, more hot water arrives from main tank and hot temperature stays about same.
Advantage option 1: Plenty of Hot water, but all costs are energy.
Problem with option 1: 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.

b: Connect to Cold source. See image
When using under-counter water heater for hand-washing, this is best option
Problem with option 2: Hot water supply is limited to amount of hot water in under counter tank
Advantage with option 2: Costs less. Each time hot is drawn from faucet, cold water does not enter main water heater.

Basic connection


shut off valve
Shut off recommended between water source and water heater
Use gate valve or ball valve

Buy:
Lead-free ball valve at Amazon
Chrome shut off valves at Amazon
Install point of use water heater
Larger image
Option a: spend more/ but more 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
How to solder pipe
Install under counter water heater
Larger image
Option b: spend less/ hot water limited to amount inside under-counter tank

Connect cold water source to the cold water inlet on tank
Hot source pipe is capped.
Under counter water heater supplies all hot water at faucet.
Use teflon tape on threads
How to solder pipe

Pot heater
Buy:
Pot heaters at Amazon

Other options?

Yes:
a) Use pot heater
b) DIY solar: Set 2 gallons water outside in sun each day
c) Recirculation system
How to install recirculation system Point of use water heater

4) Do not drop water heater

or damage can occur to tank and parts.
Check elements-and-wiring and water heater should work
Do not call the manufacturer and report problem, or warranty could be compromised.
E-mail question:
geno03245w@gmail.com
My response might end up in spam folder, so check e-mail folders
Resources
Post question on pro water heater forum
How to troubleshoot electric water heater

5) Earthquake straps

Electric water heaters can be set on wood surface or carper without specific danger
Cover all electrical outlets and connections with approve plate, and keep cover(s) on side of tank to protect from electrical short causing fire.
Overflow tube and water leaks can cause water damage
Buy:
Earthquake straps at Amazon
 Resources
See earthquake strap illustration  
Earthquake map
Di-electric nipples
Use di-electric nipples

6) Use di-electric nipples

... if connections are 3/4"
Avoid electrolitic deterioration of pipes and water heater by using di-electric nipples when connecting water heaters. Available in water heater department. Use teflon tape on threads.

Some under-counter heaters come with pre-installed nipples and connections.
Use connections that are supplied.
Pre-installed heat-trap nipples clog easily if house has pressure problems, or hard water. Consider replacing heat-trap nipples if pre-installed.
Buy:
Dielectric nipples at Amazon
Resources
Read about low hot water pressure
9-ways to save with water heater

How to remove short water heater nipple
Solder copper pipes

Solder copper pipes


Most under-counter 6 gallon and 12 gallon water heaters have 1/2" connections.

Best practice is to 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.
Resources
How to solder copper pipes
Drip pan
Drip pan

7) Drip pan saves damage

Drip pan saves damage
Resource:
See drip pan installation
Buy:
Water heater drip pans at Amazon
Buy:
Water detectors at Amazon
Auto-shut-off valve at Amazon



Do NOT cap off TP

8) TP overflow code

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.
Resources
How to test, maintain, and replace TP valve

Element burns out
Tank must be full of water

9) Tank MUST be full of water

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

10) Insulate tank and pipes

Do NOT block TP valve lever
Electric water heater can be totally covered with insulation except TP valve

Larger image
Example #1 finished install
Showing optional ports available on various models
Showing drain pan and TP overflow tube
Must be 6" between TP overflow tube and floor drain.
Or overflow tube can be directed outdoors
Make sure drain valve is installed

Under counter water heater
Larger image
Example #2 finished install

Showing 120volt plug and outlet for some models
Do not use extension cord.
Outlet must have correct polarity and be grounded
Check outlet with circuit analyzer from hardware store.
Resources
See circuit analyzer

Also use wiring information shown below

Larger image
Example #3 finished install

Showing 6" heat trap pipe configuration on hot water outlet.
Showing drain valve installed on cold water inlet
Showing location of anode rod

Resources
How to replace anode rod
Troubleshoot and service giuide
How to troubleshoot electric water heater

Point of use service manual
Bosch Ariston resources
How to maintain water heaters
Commercial point of use service manual

For tankless electric:
How to wire tankless electric water heater

Other manuals:

Hubble 2.5 gallon manual
Bradford White instantaneous
Emmerson point of use
Insinkerator manuals
Boil water faucet- new product

Water heater manufacturers

Electricity to Under counter water heater



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 at Amazon
Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon
Electric testers at Amazon

Shop Amazon - Industrial and scientific
Shop Amazon - Industrial Electric Products
Test water heater
120Volt water heater
120volt water heater has Black and white wire

120Volt household electrical line has Black and White and bare ground.
Connect black to black and white to white.
Ground wire must be connected to ground screw.

Recommended that wires be twisted together.
Apply correct wire connector and twist very tight.
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.
color-code household wire
water heater circuit
Buy:
Dishwashers at Amazon
How to wire under counter water heater to 15 or 20 amp line that goes to dishwasher.

Objective 1: Either the dishwasher has power or the under-counter water heater has power. But neither at same time.

Objective 2: inexpensive, reliable solution that doesn't require much space and is simple to wire, simple to program and handles job with no chance for error.


FM-1 timer
Larger image
I used 14 gauge wire since circuit breaker was rated 15 amp.
Example wiring:

1) Buy plastic box with 3/4 Knockout.
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.

Figure electrical
1) Read label on side of water heater for watt and volt rating.
Each water heater will show different wattage ranging from 750 watts to 1500 watts.
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 d ishwasher and water heater should not be turned ON at same time.







1500 Watt 2-1/2 to 6 gallon

Typical 1500 watt 20 gallon

Hubble 750-1000 watt 2-1/2 gallon with 1/4" male connections
Recommended solution: Intermatic/Grasslin FM1 120V dial timer with NO and NC connections.
Low heat, low amperage timer, 3 watt timer. Intermatic quality. Small size. 120 volt, easy wiring using crimp-on terminals.
Buy:>
Intermatic FM1 timers at Amazon
24-hour 120Volt 60 Hz at Amazon
7-day 120volt 60 Hz at Amazon
24-Hour 240Volt 60 Hz at Amazon
7-day 240Volt 60 Hz at Amazon
FM1 at 1000 Bulbs

Terminals
Resource:
Read: Terminals

LOOK for numbering on back of timer module.
Terminals #1 and 2 are for clock motor
What are NO NC connections? They are like a 2-pole light switch. When one is OFF, the other is ON. And they are never ON at same time.
With NO NC connections, either the dishwasher has power or the under-counter water heater has power. But neither at same time.
Choose convenient times to run either appliance. For example after lunch you want to operate dishwasher, but no longer need water heater. And then water heater can remain OFF until shortly before before next meal. This is possible using FM1 Intermatic timer shown below.


1) Set pins on 24-hour dial. Move pins in or out to set on-off times. 15 minute intervals. How to set timers

2) NO NC terminals mean water heater and dishwasher can never be ON at same time.

3) 21 Amp capacity meets project specifications. 21 x 80% = 16.8 amps. Handles 12 amp water heater or 11 amp dishwasher.

4) Mount timer inside square plastic box available from home center. Deeper box is better. Put cover over top when finished.

Project material cost $45  

LOOK for numbering on back of timer module



Larger image
Instructions for wiring:
Water heater is ON except during hours when power is avaiable to operate dishwasher. Timer will not turn dishwasher ON or OFF. Timer will automatically turn water heater ON-OFF

1) Disconnect 120V cable going to dishwasher.
Cable has Black Hot wire and White neutral wire.

2) Black Hot wire and White Neutral wire connect to terminals 1 and 2 on FM1 timer. This will power clock motor

3) Black Hot wire from breaker box also connects to terminal 3. This will send power to the switch.

4) Water heater connection: Black wire to water heater connects to terminal 5. This is the NC or normally closed terminal. This terminal has power when timer switch is OFF. This means water heater can run continuously for all hours of the day except a few hours each day when dishwasher is expected to operate. White wire to water heater connects to other white Neutral wires.


5) Dishwasher connection: Black wire to dishwasher connects to terminal 4. This is the NO terminal or normally open terminal. This terminal has power only when timer is turned ON.  White wire to dishwasher connects to other white Neutral wires.

6) Since NO and NC terminals are never ON at same time, then water heater and dishwasher can never be ON at same time.
FM1 timer
Larger image
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

24 hour/ 15 minute increments 21 amp timer module at Amazon
7-day/ 2 hour increments 21 amp at Amazon
Buy:
Intermatic FM1 timers at Amazon
24-hour 120Volt 60 Hz at Amazon
7-day 120volt 60 Hz at Amazon
24-Hour 240Volt 60 Hz at Amazon
7-day 240Volt 60 Hz at Amazon
FM1 at 1000 Bulbs






Add solder when attaching terminals to solid copper wire.
Put solder iron point where wire terminates. Wait until hot. Keep solder iron in place. Touch solder to copper wire. Solder melts. Withdraw solder. Withdraw solder iron.
Resource:
How to make terminal connections
Yellow terminals for 12 gauge wire; Blue terminals for 14 gauge wire
Set timer by moving pins in or out:

Resource:
How to set analog timers>
Alternate timer choice: T1975 timer
Intermatic T1906
Large image of 120Volt T1975
T1975  timer with NO and NC terminals
20 amp rating
Each tripper: 15 minute intervals. 4 consecutive trippers = 1 hour.
If you want dishwasher circuit available from 7 to 10 PM, install twelve consecutive trippers starting at 7pm and ending at 10pm.
Remaining hours of the day, the water heater is ON.
Resource:
How to wire T1905 and T1975

Alternate timer with same wiring T1905

Buy timer:
T1905 series 120Volt 20 amp 1 Hp timer at Amazon

Intermatic 156T1950A tripper
156T1950A tripper
T-1975 wiring Wiring diagram for T1975

Water heater is ON at all times except when timer turns ON.
To reverse, so heater is OFF, switch black wires on NO NC terminals
Water heater connected to Normally Closed terminal.
Dish washer connected to Normally Open terminal
When timer activates, water heater turns OFF, and circuit to dish washer is ON.
Resource:
How to wire T1905 and T1975
Intermatic timers and manuals
Intermatic T2000 timer
Larger image

T2000 7-day timer/ indoor box/ 42-on-off/ 2 hour minimum on-off/ 6 on-off per day/ 20 amp/ SPDT

120V and 208-277V
42 ON 42 OFF per week
Minimum ON-OFF 2 hours
6 ON-OFF per day
NO NC terminals SPDT

Buy:
T2005 120 Volt at Amazon
T2006 208-277 volt at Amazon
Parts:
Replacement 156T1950A trippers at Amazon
WG720 120Volt clock motor at Amazon
WG723 208-277Volt clock motor
Replacement snap switch 133T701A

Resources:

T2000 sell sheet
T2005 Manual
T2006 Manual

Wiring diagram for T2005

Connect 120 Volt water heater as shown

Add dishwasher:
Connect dishwasher black wire to NC terminal.
Connect  dishwasher neutral wire to other white neutral wires.
Alternate timer choice: GE 15207 From Home Depot
Wire GE15207 for under counter water heater
Wiring diagram for GE 15207 timer
How to wire GE 15207 timer to control 240Volt load
GE timers and manuals
Timer toggle between applainces
Larger image
Buy:
Dishwashers at Amazon

Other timers with NO NC contacts/ toggle circuit between appliances/ applies to 120V or 240V

Tork TU series timer
GM40
GMQ series
GM40AV
GM40AVE
Woods 59402
Tork DTU series
GE 15207
GE 15132

See all these timers together
Gas and electric water heaters Support the economy:
Buy water heaters  from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

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
Gas and electric water heaters Industrial electric at Amazon

Industrial supplies at Amazon

Industrial and scientific Amazon
Tools
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Shop Amazon - Black and Decker
Shop Amazon - Stanley Tools
Shop Amazon - SKIL Tools
Shop Amazon - Porter-Cable Tools
Shop Amazon - Bosch Tools
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box timers Compare box timers

Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Control centers:
+ manuals and parts


All control centers and parts

Including Z-wave
programmable timer Compare programmable timers

Control water heater with programmable wall timer
Countdown timers Compare countdown timers

Control water heater with countdown timer
Low voltage power packs Low voltage transformers

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