One of the nicest conveniences that modern technology has brought to the human race is the invention of the water heater. What can be more comforting than a hot bath or shower on a cold morning to wake up a sleepy mind and body. It also helps cleanse the skin by removing excess oil and dirt. Because of the benefits it provides, for generations people have been willing to spend their hard-earned money to install a water heater in their home.

Here are some tips for effective water heater installation and repair should you ever need these services. When installing a new water heater, you must first choose the one that is right for you. Water heaters can be electric or gas. Sometimes a gas water heater can cost less to run than an electric one, but it will vary by area, so check the ratings of the one you want to install. If your home doesn’t have gas service, then the only reasonable option is electricity.

Check the plumbing by measuring the dimensions of the hot and cold water pipes that currently exist in the house and make sure your new heater is adequate. Depending on the age of the house, you may need to purchase some couplers to get the pipes to fit properly.

Before doing anything, be sure to turn off all utilities connected to the unit, whether gas or electric. Once powered off, you can now drain the hot water tank and disconnect the old hot and cold water pipe connections. To drain the water from the tank, connect a hose to the outlet at the bottom of the tank and drain the water outside or into a drain.

When the old unit is completely drained of water and successfully disconnected, you can remove it to make room for the new unit. Next, install all accessories on the new unit, such as the temperature and pressure relief valve, if not already installed. Then connect the water lines making sure to use proper procedures so you don’t have leaks when you fill the new tank. You can then connect to the power source, either gas line or electric. If the fuel source is a gas line, you must connect the chimney vent to ensure that the fumes are properly evacuated from the house. After making all the connections, you can now fill the water heater with cold water and turn on the new unit.

It is a good idea to insulate the water heater tank with a water heater tank blanket. This step can reduce your costs for keeping water hot when you need it.

While it is possible to install a new unit on your own, hiring a professional plumber is usually the best way to go and will save you time and money in the long run, unless you have experience with plumbing and plumbing repairs.