Many individuals don’t give a second thought to where their hot water heaters are located. This is especially true if they are new homeowners, business owners or are renting a place. As long as they have hot water, they’re happy campers. What difference could it possibly make? More than they might suspect. Here are some bad and good places for these appliances:
Bad places:
- In an attic above an office full of computer equipment: Some small businesses such as a day care center or cafe might have limited space for their hot water heaters. Placing the tank in the attic space may seem like a perfectly logical spot for that unsightly appliance. But this is not a wise location. If it begins to leak, it could flood the ceiling, drip into the room and short out the bank of computers, printers and copiers. Chances are that a manager won’t even realize it’s faulty till the leaking begins. Having to drag it out through the narrow attic crawl space opening will be a major hassle, too.
- In a tiny bathroom: Many people might decide to put their hot water heater in a bathroom figuring it’d be an effective way to get heated H2O to the shower quickly. Unfortunately, this isn’t wise for several reasons. For one thing, the room will be very cramped. For another, if the safety valve releases steam or boiling liquid, the unsuspecting person sitting on the toilet may be in for a rude surprise. If it’s a unit heated by gas, it could cause carbon monoxide affixation, too.
- In a bedroom: Having a gas operated appliance such as this in a bedroom is a dangerous carbon monoxide accident waiting to happen. It also is poor Feng shui.
- Outside in snowy climates: In snowy, frigid climates, there must be some sort of insulating structure around the unit to keep it from freezing up. If you want this appliance to be outside, you’re going to have to construct an insulated shed or you’ll be sorry.
Good places:
- In the garage: If a person has a garage, this can be a perfect spot to place his or her 20, 30 or 40 gallon tank. It’s easily accessible, there’s plenty of space for it and it’s enclosed.
- In the utility room: For individuals lucky enough to have utility or mud rooms, this is another perfect location for the water heater. Out of the way, warm, dry, and easily accessed.
- Tankless options: On demand or tankless units have the trait of being nearly invisible - being effective but out of sight. If a business owner or homeowner is interested in this option, he or she would need to check with an electrician to make sure there is enough ampage in the electrical box to handle this device.
Hot water heaters are crucial appliances in a home or business. Without hot water, dishes can’t be washed and hands can’t be cleaned. In commercial establishments, a facility must have access to heated H2O in order to remain open. It’s important to put these units in proper places.
Bad places:
- In an attic above an office full of computer equipment: Some small businesses such as a day care center or cafe might have limited space for their hot water heaters. Placing the tank in the attic space may seem like a perfectly logical spot for that unsightly appliance. But this is not a wise location. If it begins to leak, it could flood the ceiling, drip into the room and short out the bank of computers, printers and copiers. Chances are that a manager won’t even realize it’s faulty till the leaking begins. Having to drag it out through the narrow attic crawl space opening will be a major hassle, too.
- In a tiny bathroom: Many people might decide to put their hot water heater in a bathroom figuring it’d be an effective way to get heated H2O to the shower quickly. Unfortunately, this isn’t wise for several reasons. For one thing, the room will be very cramped. For another, if the safety valve releases steam or boiling liquid, the unsuspecting person sitting on the toilet may be in for a rude surprise. If it’s a unit heated by gas, it could cause carbon monoxide affixation, too.
- In a bedroom: Having a gas operated appliance such as this in a bedroom is a dangerous carbon monoxide accident waiting to happen. It also is poor Feng shui.
- Outside in snowy climates: In snowy, frigid climates, there must be some sort of insulating structure around the unit to keep it from freezing up. If you want this appliance to be outside, you’re going to have to construct an insulated shed or you’ll be sorry.
Good places:
- In the garage: If a person has a garage, this can be a perfect spot to place his or her 20, 30 or 40 gallon tank. It’s easily accessible, there’s plenty of space for it and it’s enclosed.
- In the utility room: For individuals lucky enough to have utility or mud rooms, this is another perfect location for the water heater. Out of the way, warm, dry, and easily accessed.
- Tankless options: On demand or tankless units have the trait of being nearly invisible - being effective but out of sight. If a business owner or homeowner is interested in this option, he or she would need to check with an electrician to make sure there is enough ampage in the electrical box to handle this device.
Hot water heaters are crucial appliances in a home or business. Without hot water, dishes can’t be washed and hands can’t be cleaned. In commercial establishments, a facility must have access to heated H2O in order to remain open. It’s important to put these units in proper places.
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