What is the purpose of a expansion tank on a water heater?
Its purpose is to deal with thermal expansion of water as it heats up in the water heater – to prevent water pressure from getting too high. If water pressure gets high enough it can damage valves in plumbing fixtures, joints in supply pipes and even the water heater. Thermal expansion always occurs in water heaters.
Is an expansion tank really necessary for a hot water heater?
From a building code perspective, expansion tanks are not required for tankless water heaters where no storage tank for hot water is installed. In most cases, they are used as a preventative measure to prolong the life of your water heater and reduce the risk of ‘overworking’ your plumbing system.
Why must a hot water heater have an expansion tank?
Because it reduces pressure, an expansion tank prolongs the life of your water heater. In fact, some manufacturers may void your water heater warranty if you have a closed plumbing system without an expansion tank.
What does an expansion tank do on a water heater?
The water heater expansion tank serves as an overflow receptacle by absorbing excess water volume created by the tank water heater when heating water, as well as absorbing fluctuations in the incoming water supply pressure. Since water expands when it is heated due to thermal expansion,…
How do you install an expansion tank on a hot water heater?
How to Install a Hot Water Expansion Tank Step 1 – Shut off the Water Supply Step 2 – Turn off the Power Supply Step 4 – Size of the Expansion Tank Step 5 – Other Accessories Step 6 – Cold Water Supply Line Step 7 – Placing the Expansion Tank Step 8 – Fix the Tank Step 9 – Tee Fitting Step 10 – Connect the Tank Step 11 – Water and Power Supply
From a building code perspective, expansion tanks are not required for tankless water heaters where no storage tank for hot water is installed. In most cases, they are used as a preventative measure to prolong the life of your water heater and reduce the risk of ‘overworking’ your plumbing system.
Because it reduces pressure, an expansion tank prolongs the life of your water heater. In fact, some manufacturers may void your water heater warranty if you have a closed plumbing system without an expansion tank.
The water heater expansion tank serves as an overflow receptacle by absorbing excess water volume created by the tank water heater when heating water, as well as absorbing fluctuations in the incoming water supply pressure. Since water expands when it is heated due to thermal expansion,…
How to Install a Hot Water Expansion Tank Step 1 – Shut off the Water Supply Step 2 – Turn off the Power Supply Step 4 – Size of the Expansion Tank Step 5 – Other Accessories Step 6 – Cold Water Supply Line Step 7 – Placing the Expansion Tank Step 8 – Fix the Tank Step 9 – Tee Fitting Step 10 – Connect the Tank Step 11 – Water and Power Supply
