where is the hot water heater in a mobile home

by Angela Hahn Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

8 Common Locations for a Hot Water Heater in a Mobile Home

Interior Access Panel. It is extremely common for hot water heaters in mobile homes to be hidden behind an access panel inside the home.
Exterior Access Panel. ...
Bedroom Closet. ...
Laundry Room. ...
Utility Closet. ...
Kitchen Cabinets. ...
Crawlspace. ...
Exterior Building. ...

Most of the time, the water heater in your manufactured home can be located near the home's furnace. Sometimes, water heaters can be found in your primary bedroom closet. It could also be found in a utility closet, in the laundry room or even in a hallway hidden behind an access panel that looks just like your wall.

Full Answer

Where do I find the water heater in a mobile home?

A water heater located inside a mobile home, such as in a closet or alcove with no outside access, must be a sealed-combustion unit so that there is no connection between the heater's intake and exhaust and the home's ambient air. A gas water heater that is located in an exterior compartment-with an access door only on the outside of the home-can be a standard gas water heater that is approved for mobile home use.

How do you install a mobile home water heater?

Align the water heater so there’s easy access to the burner and controls. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and local water heater installation code requirements. ...
Use a carpenter’s level and plastic shims to level the water heater as needed.
Connect the flue hat to the gas exhaust vent with a screwdriver. ...

What is the best residential water heater?

Rheem Water Heaters. Rheem Manufacturing Company was founded in 1925 in Emeryville, Calif. ...
Whirlpool Water Heaters. ...
GE Water Heaters. ...
Ecosmart Water Heater. ...
Kenmore Water Heater. ...
American Water Heater. ...
Reliance Water Heaters. ...
A. ...
Bradford White. ...
Rinnai Water Heater. ...

More items...

Who makes the best electric hot water heater?

Which height is best for your home?

Tall Rheem 40 gal. electric water heater price
Medium Rheem 40 gal. electric water price
Short Rheem 40 gal. electric water price. As you can see, there’s not a huge difference in price here. ...

Why is there no hot water in my mobile home?

A lack of hot water can oftentimes be the result of a loss of power with the electric water heater. You'll want to first find your mobile home water heater location, then check your electric water heater's circuit breaker. Circuit breakers are known to trip, so your fix could be as simple as resetting the breaker.

How do you turn on a hot water heater in a mobile home?

0:000:43How to turn on the water heater in your mobile home - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then you're going to want to wait about an hour for the water to heat. Up. I hope these videosMoreAnd then you're going to want to wait about an hour for the water to heat. Up. I hope these videos were helpful with your move-in. Process if you have any other questions or concerns.

How do I know if my water heater is mobile home?

The connections for hot and cold water, can all be found near the top of a regular water heater. On the contrary, a mobile home water heater has just one inlet connection that is located at the top, which is the hot water inlet. The cold water inlet is located on the side of the heater.

Is there a special water heater for mobile homes?

Both tank and tankless water heaters can be a good fit for mobile home owners. Tankless water heaters offer hot water on-demand, which can save money since the heater won't waste energy on pre-heating and holding the hot water until it's needed.

Where is the water shut off on a mobile home?

Most mobile homes also have a second main shutoff valve, usually located somewhere near the water heater. This will be a valve located before the water heater, not the valve on the pipe running from the water heater. This indoor main shutoff valve is generally located near the floor.

How does hot water work in mobile home?

Standard Water Heaters in Mobile Homes Some of the specific differences: Mobile home water heaters have interchangeable gas and propane orifices so that the water heater can be converted from natural gas to propane gas operation. This is the main reason for the increased cost, as well as difficult access.

What is different about a mobile home water heater?

Mobile home water heaters are different than regular water heaters in three main ways: Mobile home water heaters have interchangeable gas and propane orifices so that the water heater can be converted from natural gas to propane gas operation. This is the main reason for the increased cost.

How much is a hot water heater for a trailer?

The average RV water heater costs between $800-$1,000. A standard 10-gallon water heater will cost around $800, while a tankless water heater will cost around $1,000. It all depends on the amount of hot water you want on your RV, and how much your RV is meant to hold.

Can a tankless water heater be installed in a mobile home?

A tankless hot water heater can be installed on a trailer or manufactured home as long as you have a large enough gas line to supply it, or the properly rated electrical cable and breaker in the case of an electric model.

How do you know a water heater is going bad?

Here are six common signs that your water heater is going bad.Your Water Heater is More Than 10 Years Old. ... Water Heater is Leaky. ... Water is Discolored. ... There's Not Enough Hot Water. ... Water Heater is Making Unusual Noises. ... You're Constantly Having to Have Water Heater Repair.

How do I reset my state water heater?

Locate the large red button marked "Reset" at the center of your State water heater's control circuit panel. Firmly press the "Reset" button to manually reset your water heater. Once your water heater has been reset, it may take between 12 and 24 hours for your water heater to resume normal operation.

Can you install a heat pump water heater in a mobile home?

This makes them ideal for manufactured or mobile homes. It also means that you don't suffer the 30% energy loss associated with systems that require ductwork. Installing a ductless heat pump may even qualify for federal, state, or local efficiency incentives, since many models are Energy Star rated.

Where is the water heater in a mobile home?

Almost all mobile home manufacturers put the water heater in a compartment with an access panel secured with screws. Older mobile homes have the access panel on an outside wall, usually next to a bathroom or kitchen window. Also, there is often an on/off switch in or near the bathroom that glows red when the water heater is turned on.

Where to move water heater that doesn't fit in the compartment?

If the homeowner decided to upgrade to a larger water heater that does not fit in the compartment, it may have been moved to a shed on the ground next to the exterior wall of the compartment , or to a detached shed, carport storage room, or well house.

Where is the on off switch on a water heater?

The water heater may also have an on/off switch located in the bathroom, especially in older mobile homes and it is often red and lights up when on. Another location for an on/off switch is mounted over the cover plate for the heating element at the side of the water heater, like in the photo below. If you have checked the circuit breaker in the ...

Can you put siding over a mobile home?

Sometimes a homeowner installs new siding on an older mobile home and sides right over the access panel, making it disappear. Yes, it ’s silly, but it does happen. When a long-term leak in the water heater compartment rots out the floor, some ingenious homeowners put a low-boy (short and wide) water heater on the ground directly under ...

Where Is The Water Heater In A Mobile Home?

To the question of where is the water heater in a mobile home, we can respond that it is almost always located in a compartment access panel affixed with hex or square drive screws inside the master bedroom closet, near the bathroom, or kitchen window wherein piping networks are located.

Locations Under The Mobile Home

If you get under the house, look for an uncapped 3/4″ or 1/2″ water supply pipe. There should be a pipe extending down through the vapor barrier from the water heater pop-off valve. If this does not help, usually they are near other sources of plumbing like the bathroom or utility room.

Where Are Gas Water Heaters Installed In A Mobile Home?

Other Frequent Locations

If you have tried looking in all these locations and still can’t find the water heater, here are several other possibilities:

Location Of The Switch For On And Off

After you have found where is the water heater in a mobile home, found the compartment, and opened it, you have to look for the switch.

What To Do After Finding Where Is The Water Heater In A Mobile Home?

Because getting at a mobile home water heater requires a few minutes work to remove the 6 or 8 screws securing the cover panel in place, it rarely gets checked for leakage or corrosion unless it stops working. That’s a shame because, when a problem does occur, it may not get noticed until water seeps into an adjacent room.

Where Is The Water Heater In A 1975 Mobile Home?

In a mobile home or manufactured home from 1975 or earlier, the water heater is located in a closed compartment. The compartment is closed with at least four perimetral screws and requires a tool to be opened.

What Happens If You Use A Regular Water Heater Instead Of A HUD-Approved Heater?

Well, there are a lot of things that can happen (or will happen) if you use the wrong water heater. The most common issues that can arise include the ones below.

How many gallon water heaters are there in a mobile home?

It’s common to find anywhere from 40 to 60-gallon hot water tanks in conventional homes, but most mobile home water heater closets are only able to accommodate sizes of up to 30-gallon tanks.

Why is hot water important in a mobile home?

Hot water is essential in any household – let alone a mobile home – for the likes of bathing, cleaning and properly disinfecting. In single-family homes and mobile home units, water is heated and dispersed to faucets and shower heads by a water heater. But don’t confuse the hot water heaters that you’ll find in single-family homes as ...

How to make a tankless heater last longer?

Flush it: Unless you have a tankless heater, draining the tank and flushing it at least annually can help it last longer by removing sediment that has a tendency to build up at the bottom of the tank. To flush your tank, turn off the gas and the cold water supply to the tank.

How to fill a gas tank with water?

Open up the bottom spigot and let the water drain. Then, turn on the cold water to the tank and let it flush out the tank for a few minutes. To conclude, turn off the drainage spigot, disconnect the hose and turn the gas back on. The tank should begin to fill back up.

What is the benefit of tankless water heaters?

Tankless Water Heater: The big benefit of tankless water heaters is that it’s essentially “on demand” hot water. Specifically, water is only heated for what you use whenever the hot water faucet is turned, which can result in significant cost savings versus heating 30 gallons of hot water at once.

What are the advantages of an electric water heater?

Electric Water heater: The key advantages to selecting an electric water heater include the comparatively low cost of the units and the fact that no matter where your mobile home is located, you’ll have hot water so long as there’s power.

How long does a hot water tank last?

In fact, it is estimated that homeowners can expect to get anywhere from 8 to 12 years out of their tanks before a new one is necessary. It goes without saying, however, that the better a tank is cared for, the longer it’s likely going to last. Here’s a look at some common maintenance tasks to consider performing on your mobile home water heater:

Where is the water heater located in a mobile home?

The location of a mobile home water heater is especially important if it is a gas unit. A water heater located inside a mobile home, such as in a closet or alcove with no outside access, must be a sealed-combustion unit so that there is no connection between the heater's intake and exhaust and the home's ambient air. A gas water heater that is located in an exterior compartment—with an access door only on the outside of the home—can be a standard gas water heater that is approved for mobile home use.

What type of fuel do water heaters use?

In most cases, water heaters are replaced with new units that use the same fuel source as the original. The most common fuel types are electric and gas, but there are also some fuel-oil units. Gas heaters may use propane or natural gas, depending on the home's supply. It can be costly to convert to a different fuel type as part ...

What type of circuit do electric heaters need?

Electric units must have sufficient capacity in the home's electrical panel and typically require a dedicated 240-volt circuit, while gas heaters need a gas supply and special accommodations for combustion air and exhaust.

How to fill a water tank with cold water?

Turn on the cold water supply to the tank to begin filling the tank. Open the hot water tap at the nearest faucet in the house. Let the tank fill until water flows at full force out of the hot water tap (indicating the tank is full), then close the faucet tap.

Do mobile home water heaters have to meet HUD standards?

Mobile home water heaters must meet specific standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). All heaters approved for use in manufactured homes carry a label indicating HUD compliance.

Can insurance companies honor non-compliant water heaters?

Home insurers may not honor claims related to non-compliant water heaters, and non-compliant heaters can create roadblocks when selling a home. Water heaters designed for manufactured homes typically have a few specific features: Side-mounted cold water inlet (Sometimes the hot water outlet is also at the side of the tank.)

Do mobile homes have water heaters?

Mobile home, or manufactured home, water heaters are very similar to conventional water heaters used in site-built homes, but there are some critical differences between the two types. Most importantly, water heaters for mobile homes must be rated for mobile home use. Also, all heater installations must include sufficient space ...