Q&A for How to Install a Water Heater

Usually, it can be done within two hours. If you have to do any draining, though, it might take just a little bit longer, because part of the hot water heater can be a little calcified.

Yes, you can install a water heater outside your house. However, it needs to be in a secure "closet" to prevent weather, animals, and anything else from potentially damaging it. The door surrounding the water heater should be covered and fully secured at all times.

Suitable rooms for installing a water heater include: the garage, laundry room, basement, or an outdoor-only accessible area. Some houses have the water heater installed in a small "closet" outside the house that can only be accessed from outside.

There are many rooms that aren't suitable for a water heater: A room with carpeting isn't a good idea because it's very difficult to clean up if it gets dirty. The attic is an unsafe spot since it will flood the house if it leaks. Bedrooms and playrooms are also unsafe places for more reasons than one. Installing a water heater behind a locked door is dangerous, because if you lose the key, it can become a big problem.

Placing a water heater on blocks is needed for safety reasons. If a water heater is installed in a garage, it has to be elevated at least 2 feet (61 cm) above the ground to prevent cars from driving into it. This rule doesn't apply to laundry rooms or outdoor areas.

It's to connect the heater to the pipes, so other rooms of the house can use hot water. If a water heater is installed behind a closet door, the door needs to have vents on it so the water heater can "breathe". Water heaters produce carbon monoxide, which can be very dangerous if released in a small, closed area with no ventilation.

That means there is likely something wrong with the pipes. There might be harmful bacteria growing inside the pipes. It could also indicate that there is a gas leak. Have a plumber check out your water heater system.

Water heaters aren't installed in "main" rooms of the house, such as the living room or kitchen. The garage, basement, and outdoor cabinet are the safest places. They have hard flooring or concrete, which is easier to clean up. If it leaks, the water will run outside or below the ground.

They can be connected close together if you want. A water heater has pipes that are connected to all devices that use water, such as a sink, washing machine, and bath. In some houses, the water heater is located on the other side of the laundry room, and the water heater pipes connect directly to the washing machine. Other houses have them further apart, but they're still connected and work. It all depends on the layout of the house.

Any room you want. It doesn't really matter what room is on the opposite side of it, but a water-using room such as a bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen is more convenient. In most houses, it is placed near the garage or laundry room.

It's safer and more convenient. The hot water from a washing machine is less likely to come in contact with a person and burn them. The pipes connecting the water heater and washing machine are usually the closest, since both are high-maintenance appliances. Laundry rooms and bathrooms are almost always far apart from each other to prevent water overload.

Not necessarily. Just make sure that the door has vents in it. The water heater needs to breathe. Take care of the key, so you can always get to the water heater.

It's not necessarily dangerous, but a better choice is a garage, laundry room or utility space. Children shouldn't be allowed to mess with a water heater, and if it's a gas appliance, it must be vented to the outdoors.