Hot Water Cylinders - Points To Consider When Buying And Installing
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
In most modern homes, or homes built in the 50's through the present, hot water cylinders are usually easy to replace. The ease with which they are replaced will depend largely on how the new cylinder fits into the space provided. There are a few considerations when shopping for a new cylinder. First you must determine if the existing cylinder is gas or electric.
If the cylinder is gas, it is important to determine whether it is natural gas, propane gas, butane gas, or another type of gas. The next consideration is the BTU rating of the unit. If you've been dissatisfied with the rate of hot water coming from the old cylinder you may want to look for a unit with a higher BTU rating. The higher the BTU rating the quicker the cylinder heats the water. Look for the BTU rating on the cylinder and use that as a reference. Ask the salesperson for guidance. When replacing a gas unit, size is very important. The new cylinder must fit in the space provided and in order to avoid retrofitting the exhaust duct, it should fit just as the old one did. If it becomes necessary to use a different size, a shorter cylinder will probably be best to use. At any rate, plan carefully!
If the unit being replaced is electric, be sure to get the voltage and amperage numbers from the old unit. If you wish to install an electric cylinder with more BTU's you will need to ensure that the electric service is large enough to handle a bigger output system. To do this make a note of the amp size of the breaker used to handle the unit. Give this size to the salesperson. He or she should be able to let you know what they can do in regards to going up in BTU's. As size goes, the only thing you need to know about replacing the cylinder is that the new cylinder will fit in the space provided. Take accurate measurements of the space and give them to the salesperson.
As the plumbing tools available these days are much easier to work with plumbing in a new cylinder has become easier. For example, when it comes to copper, there are product's that will take out the task of soldering if you don't know how to solder. But, soldering is the best option when fitting with copper. When looking at the plumbing, get the outside diameter (O.D.) and inside diameter (I.D.) measurements. There will likely be a piece handy after removing the old cylinder. That can be used as a reference. Just take it along and give it to the salesperson. When fitting in the new cylinder, it is vital to clean the entire pipe that is being fitted thoroughly at the place of fitting.
If there are any doubts about installing a hot water cylinder, it is best to call a professional.
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