Hi,
Anyone know if there’s a problem locating a tankless (gas fired) water heater in the attic space?
This will be new construction and it will carry its own vent. I’d like to have it upstairs since that’s where the major demands will be and I really didn’t want it taking space in the laundry room.
Thanks!
Jim
Replies
water heaters are best placed where leaks go into a drain, not your ceiling.
i put mine in the attic...
be sure to properly plumb your pressure release valve, wether it be to the exterior of the building or down a vent pipe
I would definitely locate it closest to the fixture where you will be the most impatient waiting for hot water. That might well be the shower, which doesn't clear the cold water very quickly with a low flow shower head.
If in the attic, make sure the unit will not be subjected to freezing. Some of the units protect themselves from freezing, but the piping to and from them is not protected unless you take care of it somehow. The attic is also good in terms of short flue runs, which will be cheaper (wait 'til you start pricing the category 3 stainless flue material). You can have a sheet metal shop make a rupture plan and pipe the drain from that outside along with the PRV.
Be aware that the unit may not produce hot water at low flow rates, i.e. you may not get hot water at the lav unless you open the tap all the way.
I'm about to buy a Takagi from Ira Wood Inc. They have great prices on them. I'm going to install a very small electric instant hot under the lav so that the Takagi doesn't have to supply that fixture.