Can Tankless Water Heater Be Installed In Crawl Space?
Posted on | November 28, 2009 | 7 Comments
Currently our hot water heater is located in the crawl space beneath our house. We’d like to replace it with a tankless system but are not sure where to install the unit. It would be easiest as far as plumbing and electrical to put it where the traditional hot water heater is, but is it a real option? We live in central North Carolina where temperatures are rarely less than 30 degrees during the winter months.
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7 Responses to “Can Tankless Water Heater Be Installed In Crawl Space?”
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November 28th, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
As long as you have access to it, it should be fine. Some places would require it to be on a GFCI circuit, if it is below grade level. Make sure it is protected from freezing temperatures, as the tankless heater will not be full of hot water to keep it from freezing. Most tankless heaters use a lot more current when operating, so the electrical wire supplying the existing heater will probably not work, and need to be replaced.
November 29th, 2009 @ 1:29 am
I’m guessing you are talking gas. Electric tank-less water heaters cost an arm and a leg to operate.
I think they physically can be installed almost anywhere, including closets. But you might want to check local codes. Call your local plumbing contractor or plumbing store, they will be able to tell you. Even Home Depot could probably tell you. If you do install one in the crawl space be sure it is vented properly. Some tank-less gas water heaters require the use of powered vents. Also, install a carbon monoxide monitor and a smoke alarm. Safety first!
November 29th, 2009 @ 6:32 am
Yes, as long as you can have adequate ventilation. You didn’t say whether the tankless would be gas or electric.
We live in central west Michigan and had a tankless water heater for 12 years in our unfinished basement before we moved from that house. It was awesome, especially since we have four boys (with all the laundry and showers and baths and dishes!). Think unlimited hot showers for everybody!
The only difficulty we had with the unit was it occasionally needed to be manually restarted, but that was very easily done.
November 29th, 2009 @ 9:37 am
Sorry, my water heater only heats cold water.
November 29th, 2009 @ 10:34 am
if electric , idon’t see why not
tankless will run endless hot water to one location, the problem occurs when you try the second shower/bath/wash/dish wash etc…..
November 29th, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
An “on demand” water heater may be, and to minimize installation expense, should be installed at the location of the existing tank type water heater. This presumes that the voltage requirements of both are the same.
Unless it is adequately insulated, the tank type heater installed in the crawl space is bleeding energy (money) year round, much more in the cooler months. The on demand type only uses energy when the hot water faucet is opened, and never uses any energy to keep water heated until use. Initial cost is greater than tank type, but that is recovered over time.
With either type water heater, you will conserve energy by insulating all water pipes in the crawl space.
November 29th, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
Take a new plumbing rout to a small closet, then put it in their. Being under your house like that seems on safe.