Clearance Around Electric Water Heater

The clearance at the sides back and above a gas water heater are specified by the manufactured in the installation manual and they typically vary from zero to just a few inches.

Clearance around electric water heater.

If the space that holds your water heater doubles as a storage or laundry room make sure you keep it organized and clean. Some gas units only need 1 inch clearance. Do keep it clean and safe. In an attempt to maximize finished floor space when boxing off the water heater from the rest of the room people often don t leave enough clearance between the new wall framing and the vent pipes.

This one today was installed in the ac closet. Single wall vents get very hot requiring a 6 in. But a 30 inch by 30 level floor area is required by code at the front service side of the water heater per m1305 1 2 of the international residential code irc and residential edition of the florida building code fbc. What is required clearance for access and working space in front of an electric water heater.

Doors into closets or rooms with water heaters should be wide enough to allow for removal and replacement. Twenty four inches of service clearance in front and two inches on the back and sides is recommended for gas water heaters whereas electric heaters do not require minimum clearance. Clearances of less than 6 inches are common. Water heater clearance is there a code requirement for space around an electric water heater.

So the national electrical code requirement nec 110 26 a for equipment likely to require examination adjustment servicing or maintenance while energized applies which specifies a working space 36 deep and 30 wide in front of. Unlike other heating devices electric heaters do not require a minimum clearance. Sunday june 17 2018. A clearance area of 12 inches is required on all sides of a hot water heater.

Ariston andris 4 gal. 6 year 120 volt corded point of use mini tank electric water heater model andris rs 4u 1 4kw 209 00 209 00. Clear the area around your water heater. However many electrical equipment codes do recommend the provision of a 30 inch working space on the front and sides of the heater to allow for examination adjustment or maintenance of the electrical equipment.

Monday january 13 2020. There does however have to be adequate working space 24 inches commonly around the heater to service the burner and replace the heater. Although an electric water heater like the heat pump one shown above is part of a home plumbing system it is an electric appliance. In order to remove it the air handler would first have to be removed or the wall would have to be removed.

Basement finishing projects are notorious for this code violation. Water heaters must be surrounded by a certain amount of clearance or air space to function properly and safely. Since water heaters run on electricity or fuel such as oil propane or gas it is important to ensure that your water heater has adequate space for proper ventilation. Many water heaters especially traditional electric ones require changes to your wiring and potentially the breaker box.