Location Of The Connections
Whereas a mobile home water heater has the cold water nozzle intake sidewards and hot water orifice in the superior part of the vessel, standard water heaters embody all the connection orifices in the top of the water heater tank. The positioning of the connections in the water heaters does not influence the performance thereof.
The cold-water inlet connection in mobile home water heaters is placed on the side and the hot-water inlet is located at the top of the unit, in contrast with conventional water heaters where all connections are located at the top of the tank. A tank model may have two inlets positioned on either side, and this is one special tank model, or on the same side.
There is also one other important differential feature that includes the position of the hot and cold water inlet connections. The connections for hot and cold water, can all be found near the top of a regular water heater. On the contrary, a mobile home water heater has just one inlet connection that is located at the top, which is the hot water inlet. The cold water inlet is located on the side of the heater.
Mobile home water heaters are normally enclosed so that the air intake is choked off with a standard water heater. The mobile home water heater has its air intake on the bottom. The idea is to draw the air from a hole in the floor.
As I explained briefly above, just note that the position of the cold water inlet has no relation at all with the performance.
Non Adjustable Temperature Range Setting
Mobile water heaters have a water temperature setting that cannot be adjusted by the homeowner. Nevertheless, all types of water heaters are equipped with a T& P valve. And here is, therefore, a clear difference between a mobile home water heater and a regular water heater.
Despite the fact that T& P valves became the compliant norm on the water heater devices, regular home water heater vessels permit the users of the device the capability of adjusting the setting of the temperature of the water as required.
These modifications in the temperature are performed through the utilization of the thermostat as we have analyzed thoroughly in my complete guide about water heaters located here.
The Manufactured Housing Construction And Safety Standards Act
In 1974, The Manufactured Housing Construction And Safety Standards Act was released, setting the minimum safety standards one would have to follow while producing mobile homes. The act was amended in 2010 by the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee to address emerging changes.
If you are looking for mobile home water heaters codes, this is where you need to start.
This act is important because it addresses limitations on water heaters. The Safety Standards Act tells us of the following rules on manufactured home water heaters:
- Manufacturers must protect outside spigots with a nonremovable backflow protector.
- They have to comply with the provisions of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987
- They need to follow specific sizes of pipes, mainly when focusing on drainage.
- Water heaters need to be approved by HUD.
The most crucial aspect as it affects you is that water heaters need to be approved by HUD. As a result, they have an incredibly high number of safety standards, which can complicate things given the limited space of manufactured homes.
Because of these safety standards, the cost of water heaters for these homes is incredibly high. However, these standards also heavily reduce any chance of fire in your home.
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Where Is The Water Heater In My Mobile Home
If you have just purchased a manufactured home, you can typically find it located near the furnace. Look around until you see a clear sign of a heating element in your mobile home.
You can access the heater and water tank from the outside with a metal door in many designs. It is there to make it easier to replace your water heater should something happen.
If you arent sure where it is, ask the purchaser or see if you cant find the manufacturer. It should not be too difficult to locate. It is best to locate the water heater before making a purchase. The cost driver behind a water heater typically comes from the complicated installation.
Mobile Home Water Heaters Are Subject To Hud Guidelines
Mobile home water heaters are subject to federal requirements, given how compact and specialized they have to be. As a result, manufactured home water heaters are far more expensive and complicated.
Many of these design choices come from the weirdness of mobile homes. Manufacturers are subject to HUD restrictions from The Manufactured Housing Construction And Safety Standards Act of 1974.
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Mobile Home Gas Hot Water Tanks
Our selection of gas hot water tanks also includes models made specifically for mobile homes. With glass-lined tanks and environmentally friendly, non-CFC foam insulation, our mobile home gas water heaters feature low heat loss. Easy vent piping and air intake lower costs when installing these water heaters.
Look for the following features among our selection of gas mobile home hot water heaters:
- Sealed combustion models
- Protection against corrosion with premium anode rods
- Factory installed safety relief valves for temperature and pressure
- Three-quarter-inch PEX polymer-lined heat trap nipples
- Easy connection to water
Special : Gas Tankless Water Heater
Pros: comparable to the functioning of electric water heaters . Cheaper, lighter, and uses less fuel , making it far more inexpensive than electric water heaters.
Cons: dangerous accept the chance of gas leaking resulting in a fire and explosion. The design is not suited for tiny bathroom areas since it requires oxygen to burn, which might lead to asphyxia if used for an extended period of time.
As a result, we continue to encourage utilizing electric water heaters for safety and environmental reasons.
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Mobile Home Water Heaters Vs Conventional Ones
First things first: As we noted in the introduction, a mobile home water heater differs from a conventional water heater. This is mainly because water heaters found in single-family homes typically have a lot more room to be installed in, while mobile home water heaters must fit into a designated closet thats either inside or outside of the manufactured home. Because space is often limited in this closet or storage space, the water heater needs to be sized to fit those dimensions. Its common to find anywhere from 40 to 60-gallon hot water tanks in conventional homes, but most mobile home water heater closets are only able to accommodate sizes of up to 30-gallon tanks. This is a key reason why you cant just install a standard water heater in a mobile home. Another important reason for doing so is that its against the law. Mobile home water heaters must have a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development safety approval.
There are some other key differences between conventional water heaters and mobile home water heaters:
Read more on this topic in our mobile home repair forum.
Can A Regular Water Heater Be Installed In A Mobile Home
No. As outlined above, mobile home water heaters have different code requirements and must be H.U.D. compliant to ensure they are safe for use in mobile homes. If a mobile home water heater does not have the H.U.D. safety approval, it’s actually against the law to use it in a mobile home. It’s also important to consider that the manufacturer’s warranty will be voided and any insurance claims will almost certainly be denied.
But with that being said, some manufacturers offer water heater models that meet the H.U.D. guidelines, and are designed to be installed in either traditional homes or mobile homes. Although this is more commonly seen with electric water heaters.
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What About An Electric Water Heater For My Mobile Home
It is possible to choose an electric water heater for your mobile home. However, you will likely need to have an additional circuit breaker to account for the higher electricity usage.
Also, combine electric usage with a mobile home water heater, and you can expect the cost to be still expensive. Electric water heaters are more of a convenience issue, as they prevent you from having to worry about choosing between gas and propane.
Depending on how rural you are, you may still have to run into this issue. Some electricity lines dont have the quality you need. However, you arent likely to run into this issue unless you live in a remote location.
How To Install A Mobile Home Water Heater
Water heater on the fritz? Though it is possible to replace a mobile home water heater yourself and save whatever a plumber would charge for this service, note that it is a project thats best for more handy DIYers. This is especially true if you are on a well and need to incorporate filters to minimize mineral and sediment accumulation. If you do decide to go the DIY route, a few notes to get you started: Try to select a new water heater thats similar in dimensions to your old one. Also, remember to be sure that its HUD-approved. If youre going from a gas to an electric heater, you may want to rethink whether or not its a project you can handle yourself. Heres a closer look at the process to replace a mobile home gas water heater. Youll need a wrench, garden hose and perhaps a helper to assist you in removing the old tank and placing the new one.
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Capacity Sizes According To Spaces In Rvs And Mobile Homes
Smaller 20-gallon water heaters are very convenient for mobile homes. I had the opportunity to analyze the pros and cons and review several 20-gallon water heaters in this article.
20-gallon is in my opinion the best dimension for a mobile home, in terms of price, space footprint, and duration for a shower.
Mobile homes have to use every available space, which means when it comes to a water heater, it may be behind a panel inside the wall, in a closet, under the sink, or be hanging on the wall.
Natural Gas Water Heaters
Enjoy a constant supply of hot water with a natural gas hot water tank from our selection of top-rated brands and models. Take advantage of the latest technological developments to enjoy superior efficiency, steady and controllable temperature, and low wasted energy in your home. Our gas hot water tanks come in a multitude of sizes to accommodate different needs, as well as different first hour ratings and BTU capabilities.
Look for these features when you shop online for natural gas water heaters:
- Meets or surpasses requirements set forth by NAECA
- Diffuser-End PEX Dip tube
- Safety relief valves for temperature and pressure
- High gallon first hour ratings
- Electronic thermostat for precise temperature control
- Operational indicator LED light
- Corrosion protection within tanks
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Residential Gas Water Heaters
You already know gas can be a very efficient form of heat. At Bradford White, we work hard to make our gas water heaters extra efficient with reliable, safe operation. That means youll save money on energy costs and still get the hot water your family needs.
THE DEFENDER
RESIDENTIAL GAS WATER HEATERS
FEATURING THE DEFENDER SAFETY SYSTEM®
Our most popular residential tank gas water heater lineup featuring the Defender Safety System® has proven itself a top pick year after year. Millions of homeowners count on these quality gas water heaters for exceptional performance and reliable hot water.
The Defender series water heaters come in a variety of gallon capacities to meet your familys hot water demands, and are available in several venting option models for easy installation in your home.
The Defender Safety System® Keeps Your Family Safe.
At Bradford White, safety is always our top priority. If flammable vapors are ever present in your home, our exclusive Defender Safety System® protects your family and your home from fire by preventing any flames from traveling outside the water heater ensuring safe operation. So you can always rest easy knowing your family is protected.
RESIDENTIAL GAS WATER HEATERS
FEATURING THE DEFENDER SAFETY SYSTEM®
The Defender series water heaters come in a variety of gallon capacities to meet your familys hot water demands, and are available in several venting option models for easy installation in your home.
ECO-DEFENDER
INFINITI® TANKLESS
Presence Of A Securing Strap Kit
One of the most important features is the water heaters locking strap kit, or securing strap kit. This kit has been developed to make the installation procedure as simple and convenient as possible. Because of its designation, it is also used to hold the water heater in place, which is important because the mobile home is often moved from one location to another.
It is intended to aid in the installation process, but its primary purpose is to guarantee that it stays stationary throughout a relocation or travel.
An included strapping kit is usually supplied since one of the HUD criteria for mobile home water heaters is that they are firmly installed. Regular water heaters must be secured in place with straps, but a kit to do so is seldom supplied with the acquisition of the heater itself.
It is also possible to utilize a securing strap kit for standard water heaters to protect the vessel during seismic movements and this strapping works also to maintain the tank stationary in traditional homes.
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Choose The Right Size
Water heaters come in a wide variety of sizes to accommodate differing needs. Selecting the right water heater size for your needs is an important decision. If you purchase a tank that’s larger than your requirements, you’ll unnecessarily pay extra in energy bills. Similarly, if you choose a water heater that’s too small, you’ll almost definitely run out of hot water on a regular basis.
If you have several people living in your mobile home, you should purchase the largest water heater you can find. 30-gallon tanks are the most common, but you can often find 40-gallon heaters. Just make sure, which ever size you choose fits in the designated space.
Although, if it’s just you living in your mobile home, you may want to opt for a water heater in the 19-gallon range. Since they are smaller, they’ll use less energy and they should still be able to meet your hot water needs.
What Is A Mobile Home Water Heater
It’s not uncommon for people to think of mobile home water heaters as the same as a regular water heater. After all, they serve the same purpose. But there are some key differences that prevent them from being used interchangeably. And since mobile homes are also called manufactured homes, you might find these water heaters labelled either way.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development established the standards that separates mobile home water heaters from regular heaters. It’s important to note that only H.U.D.- approved water heaters can be used in mobile homes.
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Hud Approvals As A Key Difference Between A Mobile Home Water Heater And A Regular Water Heater
The standard tank water heaters have to be authorized by Energy Star and HUD as standardized energy-efficient devices. This approval is requested by the manufacturer of the product line.
To dodge the chance of carbon monoxide leakage into a mobile home when a gas water heater is installed, there must be a complete detachment of the combustion system from the interior air of the home.
This can be achieved by a direct venthole sealed combustion system, although not all direct vent hole or direct vent water heaters are HUD-approved, or by installing the water heater in a compartment that is sealed off from the living area of the home and only accessible from the outside.
When a gas water heater is installed, the combustion system must be completely isolated from the homes interior air to dodge carbon monoxide leaks.
Water heaters that use a direct vent sealed combustion system, or are housed in a separate compartment from the rest of the house, only accessible from the outside, are two options for achieving this goal.
So, coming from the last paragraph, these standard water heaters have a combustion system separated from the air inside the living quarters or are directly installed in separate places of the house, as those people who install them in a basement or crawlspace where it could be easier to handle leaks.
Those arrangements described in the two paragraphs above are not always available in mobile homes.
Hud And Code Approval
Mobile home water heaters must meet specific standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development . All heaters approved for use in manufactured homes carry a label indicating HUD compliance. Using a standard, non-compliant unit in a mobile home will likely run afoul of the local building code and can lead to other problems. Home insurers may not honor claims related to non-compliant water heaters, and non-compliant heaters can create roadblocks when selling a home.
Water heaters designed for manufactured homes typically have a few specific features:
- Side-mounted cold water inlet
- Meets HUD standards for insulation and energy efficiency
- Non-adjustable temperature-and-pressure relief valve
- Smaller overall size than comparable standard units
- Gas heaters are sealed-combustion if installed indoors
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