The IRC does not prohibit installing tankless water heaters in the crawl space. However, the manufacturer and code installation conditions must be adhered to, including accessibility, lighting, ground clearance, pipe protection (freezing), and flood protection. The casing and components should be durable.
Can you put a water heater in a crawl space?
By placing the water heater in an unconditioned space such as a crawl space you will most likely increase your energy bill. Depending on where you live, at certain times of the year, the outside temperature will drop significantly lower compared to the indoor temperature. This means that the energy required to keep the water at 120f is increased.
How do you insulate a tankless crawl space?
Seal and insulate the crawlspace- it's huge heat loss even WITHOUT ducts, and a conditioned crawlspace would be by FAR the better location for the tankless than the attic. Just be sure the exterior vent termination is protected from any snow-drift potential, assuming you side-vent it.
Is it normal to have a little water in a crawl space?
Is It Normal to Have a Little Water in a Crawl Space? Crawl space must have at least one fixed light in order to install a water heater. According to building code N 210.8 (E) crawl space lighting outlets must be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Do tankless water heaters freeze up?
Outdoor-rated tankless water heaters are installed on an exterior wall in a relatively warm climate. In that location, you don't have to worry (much) that the cold water supply pipe will freeze. If you install such a water heater in a vented attic in Indianapolis, you don't have to worry much about the water heater unit freezing.
What happens if you have water in your crawl space?
Why do you need to strap a water heater?
How high should a water heater be from the ground?
Why is it important to protect water heaters from frost?
How far from the ground is the pilot light on a water heater?
Why do water heaters need to be raised?
Does a water heater increase energy consumption?
See more
Can you install a tankless water heater under the house?
Because of their compact size, many tankless water heaters can be installed in a garage, attic, basement or utility closet without sacrificing floor space.
Where should tankless water heaters be installed?
The ideal location for your water heater is inside the home. Most installations are small and unobtrusive so they will easily fit in a pantry, under the stairs, or under your sink. If you must place the water heater outside, make sure it's safe from direct sunlight, rain, and insects.
Do tankless water heaters require a floor drain?
A tankless installed in a garage, outdoors, in a mechanical room with a floor drain, or unfinished basement, would not require one. However, those installed in interior closets, attics, utility rooms, or closets adjacent to finished spaces should always have one.
Can tankless water heater be used for radiant floor heat?
Though they are sold primarily for domestic hot water, tankless heaters are actually well-suited for radiant heating, which operates at low temperatures compared with, for example, hot-water baseboard.
What is the downside of a tankless water heater?
The main disadvantage of tankless water heaters is their upfront cost (unit and installation) is significantly higher than tank-style heaters. Including installation, tankless water heaters cost 3 times more than tank-style water heaters on average.
Can you install a tankless water heater anywhere?
Tankless water heaters can be installed anywhere inside your home. You can even have a tankless water heater in a bathroom! Some families with larger homes choose to install two, one for each floor, for example. Because of their small size, they fit in closets, cabinets, pantries or laundry rooms.
Will a tankless water heater leak?
It may seem impossible, but tankless water heaters can leak after some years of use.
Do non condensing tankless water heaters need a drain?
A condensing tankless water heater will need a condensate drain, while a non-condensing water heater will not.
Can a tankless water heater be installed in an attic?
Simply put, as long as there is enough combustion air provided, tankless water heaters can be installed in any area of your home, from a utility room to a garage to, yes, even an old, dusty attic.
How big of a tankless water heater do I need for radiant heat?
You'll need to be able to heat at least 5.2 gallons of water. So you'll need a tankless water heater that can produce at least a 60 degree rise in temperature at 5.2 gallons per minute.
Can a tankless water heater heat a house?
It's true that a tankless water heater can easily heat most single-family homes. It's also true that a tankless water heater is smaller and less expensive than a boiler or a furnace.
What is the cheapest way to heat my house?
If you want to keep your energy bills from rising, here are 9 of the cheapest ways to heat a house without central heating.Make your radiators more efficient. ... Invest in warm clothes. ... Open your blinds and curtains when the sun is out. ... Install solar panels. ... Block up your chimney. ... Cover bare floorboards. ... Plug any drafts.More items...•
Can I install water heater in the crawl space by code?
McGarry and Madsen Inspection. 16822 SE 92nd Danna Avenue, The Villages, FL 32162. www.thevillagesbestinspector.com • Comments or questions to [email protected]. While we hope you find this series of articles about home inspection helpful, they should not be considered an alternative to an actual home inspection by a local inspector.
Hot water heater in crawl space, pros and cons - DIY Home Improvement Forum
I’m thinking about putting my hot water heater in the crawl space to save room in my laundry room. It’s a one story house with good headroom in the crawl, about 4-5 feet everywhere. I’ve got a hatch that is about 30” square. I’m thinking the 47 gallon lowboy which will fit easily. My house is...
Putting a water heater in crawl space? : Plumbing
I am thinking of changing my water heater closet into a washer and dryer closet. There is no other place to put the water heater except for under the house in the crawl space.
On demand gas water heater in a crawlspace | The Building Code Forum
I have a house with a gas, on demand water heater mounted to the foundation wall in a crawlspace. The location is in Alaska with -30 temperatures outside. The crawlspace is heated and has a vapor retarder covering the ground. Where do you terminate the T&P drain line from the heater?
Can I put water heater in crawl space? - AskingLot.com
Click to see full answer. Also, can you install tankless water heater in crawl space? Because it's small — about the size of a carry-on suitcase — you can place a tankless water heater along any stretch of pipe: In the attic, basement, closet, or crawlspace.. Similarly, what is a lowboy water heater? The ProLine® Lowboy Top Connect electric water heater is designed to take up as little ...
water heater in crawl space | DIY Home Improvement Forum
Hello, I'm interested in moving my water heat down to my dirt crawl space to free up some room. Id like it to be gas, but they don't seem to come very short. 4-5 ft seems to be what i am finding.
What happens if you have water in your crawl space?
If you have excess moisture, or even worse standing water in your crawl space it will affect your water heater tank, not to mention metal building elements such as nails, screws and rebar . Moisture is metal’s greatest enemy, they will battle until one of them wins.
Why do you need to strap a water heater?
This way you can be sure that nothing moves and the heater is secure. In states subjected to regular earthquakes it is necessary to have a strap around the water heater to make sure it will stay in place during seismic activity. Strapping down the water heater can be a good idea even in non-earthquake affected areas.
How high should a water heater be from the ground?
When installing a gas water heater with open combustion chambers (non-FVIR) by code it needs to be raised at least 18 inches from the ground. The height needs to be measured from the pilot or lighting mechanism.
Why is it important to protect water heaters from frost?
The temperature can change quite a lot in different places.When living in area where there is risk for frost it is important to protect the water heater and pipes from frost damage. As you know, water expands when frozen. The freezing process creates so much pressure that the metal pipes and fittings will burst.
How far from the ground is the pilot light on a water heater?
They often measure 18 inches from the bottom of the water heater, not the pilot light. For example, if the pilot light is 3 inches from the bottom of the water heater, then the distance between the ground and the water heater can be 15 inches.
Why do water heaters need to be raised?
Water heaters need to be raised off the ground to prevent damage from flooding. Additionally, gas water heaters with open combustion chambers need to be elevated to prevent igniting other combustible materials under the water heater. For example, spilled gasoline.
Does a water heater increase energy consumption?
Increased Energy Consumption. By placing the water heater in an unconditioned space such as a crawl space you will most likely increase your energy bill. Depending on where you live, at certain times of the year, the outside temperature will drop significantly lower compared to the indoor temperature.
What happens if you have water in your crawl space?
If you have excess moisture, or even worse standing water in your crawl space it will affect your water heater tank, not to mention metal building elements such as nails, screws and rebar . Moisture is metal’s greatest enemy, they will battle until one of them wins.
Why do you need to strap a water heater?
This way you can be sure that nothing moves and the heater is secure. In states subjected to regular earthquakes it is necessary to have a strap around the water heater to make sure it will stay in place during seismic activity. Strapping down the water heater can be a good idea even in non-earthquake affected areas.
How high should a water heater be from the ground?
When installing a gas water heater with open combustion chambers (non-FVIR) by code it needs to be raised at least 18 inches from the ground. The height needs to be measured from the pilot or lighting mechanism.
Why is it important to protect water heaters from frost?
The temperature can change quite a lot in different places.When living in area where there is risk for frost it is important to protect the water heater and pipes from frost damage. As you know, water expands when frozen. The freezing process creates so much pressure that the metal pipes and fittings will burst.
How far from the ground is the pilot light on a water heater?
They often measure 18 inches from the bottom of the water heater, not the pilot light. For example, if the pilot light is 3 inches from the bottom of the water heater, then the distance between the ground and the water heater can be 15 inches.
Why do water heaters need to be raised?
Water heaters need to be raised off the ground to prevent damage from flooding. Additionally, gas water heaters with open combustion chambers need to be elevated to prevent igniting other combustible materials under the water heater. For example, spilled gasoline.
Does a water heater increase energy consumption?
Increased Energy Consumption. By placing the water heater in an unconditioned space such as a crawl space you will most likely increase your energy bill. Depending on where you live, at certain times of the year, the outside temperature will drop significantly lower compared to the indoor temperature.
Code Conditions For Tankless Water Heaters in Crawl Spaces
- While the code requirements mentioned here can be a helpful guide, to ensure that your heater complies with local regulations, I recommend checking out your local coding as well.
Non-Code-Specified Considerations
- How Hardy Are the Casing and Components?
If you are choosing to install your tankless water heater in your crawl space, then you will need to follow the necessary coding regulations for the installation, electrics, and freezing and flood protection. Therefore, the casings and components should be durable so as to withstand the en… - Protect Your Pipes From Frost
So now we know that it is possible for your water heater pipes to freeze, I think it warrants a look at how to prevent it.
Tankless vs Regular in The Crawl Space: Which Is Best?
- Regular and tankless water heaters are governed by the same code regulations. This means that your decision to go with tankless or regular will depend on your personal preference and perhaps how easy each would make your installation process. If you want to know about the installation process for a regular water heater in a crawl space, you can look at my article on Can You Put a …