Water heaters are one of the most common and popular heating devices in the house that provide the required hot water for the residents of the building. Despite the widespread use of central air conditioning systems, gas and electric water heaters still retain their use in many homes. If you also use wall-mounted water heaters in your home to have hygienic hot water, when working with them, you should consider many safety points so that no harm or danger threatens you.
Working with wall-mounted water heaters is easy and, at the same time a bit dangerous. To use wall-mounted water heaters, you must follow many technical points to provide the necessary hot water for our house without any problems. Silent death is one of the dangers of not following these safety principles, which you are familiar with. In this article, we will introduce you to the water heater’s function and its safety tips.
The function of wall-mounted water heaters
Wall-mounted water heaters are generally electric or gas, powered by electricity or city gas. In gas water heaters, the gas enters the chamber and mixes with the airflow, and as soon as the igniter electrode is ignited, the water heater burner ignites. The burner generates a lot of heat, because of which the heating circuit pipes (heat exchanger pipes) also heat up, causing the cold water entering the water heater to heat up. Combustion gases are also released from the building through the chimney. Water heaters have very little space, but they can provide a large volume of hot water per day to meet our needs. Here are the most important safety tips for working with wall-mounted water heaters.
- Select a water heater that fits the size of the house
For houses with an area of fewer than 50 meters, it is better to use groundwater heaters. But for houses with larger dimensions, wall-mounted water heaters are more suitable. In general, wall-mounted water heaters consume more oxygen than standing or groundwater heaters. A water heater needs space with dimensions of 9 to 12 meters if other appliances do not occupy more than 2 cubic meters.
- The need for proper ventilation of the area
In the environment where the wall-mounted water heater is installed, there must be proper ventilation. This is essential for our safety and health and provides more oxygen to the system, which will improve the water heater’s performance. If there is no proper ventilation in the water heater installation environment, this should be achieved with mandatory ventilation (fan installation, etc.).
- It is forbidden to install water heaters in these areas: Installing a wall-mounted water heater in the bathroom is wrong because this space is full of steam, lacks proper ventilation, and lacks oxygen. In general, wall-mounted water heaters should never be installed in enclosed spaces without doors and windows. Avoid installing gas wall-mounted water heaters in confined spaces such as basements, storage rooms, and small separate rooms. Installing a wall-mounted water heater in the locker room is also dangerous because it is unventilated and low in oxygen, which also increases the risk of fire.
- Distance between the water heater and chimney
The water heater should be installed where it is closest to the chimney. The standard distance for the length of the vertical part to the cap is approximately 250 mm. Install the water heater so that its pilot is visible to users. The standard limit for the distance of the chimney from the roof is 90 cm. The diameter of the chimney should be selected according to the type and model of the water heater. The presence of an H-cap is essential for the chimney. For the water heaters of a complex, using network chimneys of the building is strictly prohibited. When installing a wall-mounted water heater and making sure that the chimney path is correct after finishing work.
- Attention: The water heater should be installed where it is as far away from children as possible. Never install gas wall heaters in abandoned rooms and warehouses. Because there is a risk of fire in these places due to the wear of the walls and materials. Do not install wall-mounted water heaters in kitchens with bathroom or dressing room doors unless the spaces are at least 30 square meters in area and there is adequate ventilation. Installation of water heaters in open kitchens is not prohibited.
- Standard distance of wall water heater from around
Wall-mounted water heaters should have a vertical distance of 120 to 140 cm from the floor and should have a horizontal distance of 40 cm compared to other heating equipment in the environment. Hot and cold water pipes should be 12 cm apart without additional connections. The wall-mounted water heater should be at least 1 meter away from the wall in front of it to separate its surface. Wall-mounted water heaters should be installed in a place that is at least 10 to 15 cm away from the cabinet or adjacent wall so that the need for repair can be removed without any problems.
Important points for installing water heaters
- The place where the water heater is installed must be able to withstand the device’s weight, so before installing the water heater, make sure the strength of the material and the strength of the wall.
- It is forbidden to install wall-mounted water heaters in places with low traffic, such as storage and balconies.
- Avoid installing water heaters in places with short ceilings, such as separate stairs.
- The power outlet should never be behind the water heater installation site. Place the water heater in a place where it is safe from wind or frost in cold seasons.
- Avoid installing water heaters in laboratories and environments with different flammable materials.
- The shorter the water heater piping length, the less energy will be lost, so it is best to keep the length of the water heater piping to a minimum unless the pipes are built-in or insulated.
- Never install a water heater for two units or two floors because each unit must have a separate hot water tap.
- Before installing the water heater in the desired unit, check the water pressure to use the pump if necessary.
Conclusion
Currently, still many cities, villages, and some countries are using water heaters. Every day many people need to work with the water heater system and from time to time they will need to repair it or install a new one. We believe this article provides helpful information about water heaters and how you will make a safe installation or renovation. In case of any troubles or difficulties, the experts from Emergency Plumbing in the Chicago area are ready to help you and provide you with the necessary services in this regard.
