When it comes to replacing that old water heater, there
are a few things you need to understand:
1.
A permit is required to replace a water heater in the Municipality of
Anchorage.
2.
If you own the home and the home is your primary place of residence, then
you can do the work yourself. You
are NOT required to hire a contractor to do the work.
You must still get a permit.
3.
The difference between a “stick house” water heater and a
mobile/manufactured home water heater is the label.
a.
When a water heater manufacturer builds a water heater, he submits it to
Underwriters Laboratory for certification.
The standards for a “stick house” water heater are not the same as a
mobile/manufactured home water heater.
b.
The same water heater is submitted for certification for
mobile/manufactured homes, so the manufacturer charges more for the same water
heater because he pays an additional certification fee.
4.
Look for the label on the outside of the water heater to confirm the
water heater is mobile/manufactured home approved.
It is plainly written on the label.
If the water heater does not say that it is approved for
mobile/manufactured homes, do not purchase the water heater.
5.
A new water heater is manufactured to energy saving specifications and
usually includes an internal “blanket” that helps prevent heat loss.
If the new water heater has an internal blanket, (most all of them do),
DO NOT put another blanket on the outside of the water heater.
You can damage the water heater. It
wasn’t designed to operate with an external blanket.
1.
Turn off the water and gas.
2.
Drain the water heater.
3.
Disconnect the water and gas line and roof jack.
(The roof jack is the “exhaust stack” connected to the top of the
water heater).
4.
Remove the water heater.
5.
Install the new water heater.
6.
Connect the water and gas lines. Connect
the roof jack. (Turn on the gas and
spread some liquid soap or Windex around the gas connections to check for leaks.
If there is a leak you will see bubbles.
Retighten the gas lines if necessary.
After you confirm there are no leaks, turn the gas off.)
7.
Fill the water heater.
8.
Turn on the gas and light the pilot light.
The water heater MUST be full of water or permanent damage will occur!
9.
Set the temperature to no more than 120°.
Any hotter could result in scalding.
10. Enjoy your hot water knowing it is now costing you less to wash the dishes or take that shower or bath!
Have a suggestion we can share with other mobile/manufactured home owners? Please call or email us postmaster@reallyneatstuffalaska.com