Install Electric Water Heater Tank On Outside Wall?
stormando
| Posted in General Discussion on
Anyone ever mounted a tank style water heater (40 Gallon) in an outside wall “bumpout”? I am going to build a 28″ Sq. Cantelevered Bumpout Right Behind bathtub wall. Reason(s): 1.Extremely Small House so every Sq Inch of space makes a difference. 2. Locates Heater closest to all areas needing hot water. 3. Assuming I can make a good metal drainpan it will never leak undetected for 15 years and ruin entire corner of house (like every house I have ever worked on). 4. Easy change out instead of having it burried in back of some tiny closet space.
What are the 10 downside reasons NOT to do this that I’m not thinking of? (will be insulated with foam sheets so not much heat loss) Thanks for advice / ideas.
Replies
Where do you live, and how will the "bumpout" be insulated? Gas or electric? (The heater, not the bumpout.)
Have you investigated how you can anchor the cantilever? Will you be cutting through the rim joist? (40 gallons of water weighs 332 pounds.)
I wouldn't do it mainly because of sound transmission - I don't want to be taking a bath or even trying to sleep while the hotwater tank cycles - with or without a power assisted vent - even an electric creaks and whatnot. The worst apartment I've ever lived in had a hot water heater in the bathroom and it just reminds me of cheap construction.
I'd frame a small room in the attic and insulate it so it's within the insulation envelope of the house and put it up there. It goes without saying that a decent drainpan that leads to a visable location is essential so you know if there is ever a problem up there.
It wouldn't keep me up because I wouldn't make that mistake!
No, I don't want to have a 40 gal electric hot water heater near the tub or near my bedroom - I don't think most clients would either.
There are many, many homes where the water heater (and furnace) are in the closet between the bathroom and the bedroom. And it's not that unusual to install a small water heater in the vanity of a bathroom, to provide "instant hot water".
The water heater will make less noise than the neighbors. I've yet to see a water heater that plays rock music at 3 AM.
If someone would offer the teenage kid a decent amount for his drums, it would cut down on some noise in our neighborhood :)
I see zero downside to doing what you propose. I grew up in So. Calif. where the practice was commonplace. The house my dad built had a utility room that was only accessible by an exterior door. Made a lot of sense to me.
I can't think of any reason not to do as you plan.
Your reasons in favor are all valid, and it seems you have thought of the needed procautions to deal with the inevitable leaks from a tank rust-thru or a discharge from the the relief valve.
The noise issue should not be a big drawback, especially if you set the tank on a pad such as styrofoam and isolate the room for sound to a reasonable degree. SS braided flex connectors will also help reduce sound.
Be sure to terminate the drain from the drainpan in a very visible place as a telltale for leaks or relief valve discharge. Some codes will not allow the relief drain to terminate in the pan, and if that's the rule where you live, you will end up with 2 outside terminations. (This assumes that your climate is not cold enough to preclude terminating the relief drain outside.)
I've tried to think of who
I've tried to think of who would put a hot water tank there on purpose....the only time it happens on purpose by a professional designer is to save money with apartments or rentals - not a very high bar to strive for. California has many building practices that are questionable - cost driven for sure - again not a very high bar to stive for.
How will you access it to service it?
Can you handle the way an ugly little bump-out will look and will it infringe on local setback ordinances?
I get to hear lots of complaints about noisy electric WATER HEATERS. I don't think the criticism is far fetched
I suspect a lot of the complainers are far fetched.
We've got a 36-year-old electric that hasn't been flushed in probably 15 years. I'd guess the silt is about half covering the bottom element by now. Never hear a peep out of it.
Yes, water heaters can make that sort of boiling, crackling sound, especially in hard water, but it's not like a KC135 at 50 feet. And hiding it in the attic is not likely to suppress the noise any better than putting it in the closet the OP is considering.
Glad I did it.
I think it worked out great. Only bumps out 24" because tank is right up against tile wall of bathtub/shower. Weight is no problem since tank rests partly on foundation rim board. Any noise would have to come thru bathroom. Metal pan slopes 1/4" /Foot. 32" side unscrews for access. Might be ugly but its a 400 Sq Ft rental. WH used to be where Refer is. Every Sq Inch of space is needed so I think it made sense.
nice
stormando wrote:
Might be ugly but its a 400 Sq Ft rental..
Well, you have a lot of support here for ugly rental upgrades! lol