Roger Todd Water Heater Improvement

Water Heater Improvement
Roger Todd
1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
615-869-8389
RogerWilsonTodd@gmail.com
Summary:
PLUMBING:
1. Water Heater: 50 gal. tank gas water heater near middle of garage south wall will be
replaced with Rinnai tankless gas water heater installed on wall space left of tank.
A. Venting: Air intake and exhaust will be 2/4 concentric polypropylene vent through
existing B-vent path up through attic into roof-mounted vertical termination
extending to same height as current B-vent.
B. Condensate: Condensate drain path will be through wall into crawlspace and
sloped east to exterior south wall penetration with freeze prevention.
C. Pipe Cover: Tankless water heater will use pipe cover so only exposed components
are: 1) vent at top and 2) pressure release pipe at bottom.
D. Recirc Line: Dedicated hot water return line will be installed from tankless unit
through crawlspace and up to master bath, right-side sink.
E. Wireless Recirc Control: Wireless Control-R module and Wireless Push Button will
be installed to manage recirculation schedule.
F. Wired Recirc Control: Solid, 22 gauge, 2-wire control unit cable will be installed,
electrically disconnected, from tankless unit and dead-end, coiled and hung in
crawlspace, in case, someday, choice is made to add wired control unit.
G. Removal: Tank and gas pipe previously serving tank will be removed.
2. Water Supply Management: Space between water pipes left behind by tank water
heater will be converted to cold water supply management as described below.
A. In Garage: Components will be 1) electronic, whole-house shut-off valve, 2) check
valve, 3) pressure regulation valve with gauge, and 4) expansion tank.
B. In Crawlspace: Pipes will be reconfigured so city water supply passes through -
whole house shut-off valve prior to serving any indoor or outdoor fixture.
ELECTRICAL:
3. Duplex Outlet: Outlet with integrated surge suppression on shared, 15A, GFCIprotected
circuit at location designated by plumber within Rinnai pipe cover and for
use by tankless water heater and electronic shut-off valve will be added.
Page 1 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Garage Diagrams:
BEFORE
Vent
Water
Gas
Stand
AFTER
2/4 Vent
Water Heater
Cover
Shut-Off
Chk Valve
PRV w Gauge
Exp. Tank
PR
Tank, gas
removed
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Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Pipe Diagrams:
BEFORE (hot water pipes in crawlspace are insulated with foam)
North
AFTER (hot and recirc water pipes in crawlspace are insulated with foam)
North
Page 3 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Cold Water Management Plumbing
1. Cold water enters on RIGHT side.
2. Water travels through leakSMART shut-off valve.
3. Water turns 90 degrees (horizontal to ground) where it enters check valve.
4. Water then enters pressure regulation valve with gauge connected by 90 degree
adapter on side nearest wall.
5. Water turns 90 degress (horizontal to ground) where it tees to expansion tank
mounted vertically upward.
6. Water re-enters wall on LEFT side.
7. Note that shut-off valve buttons are accessible and gauge is readable from side.
5
5
4
7
7
Front
3
Side
3
2
4
5
1
Above
Below
6
Page 4 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Water Heater Plumbing – Front Side
1. Electrical outlet is as low as pipe cover allows and as west as wall stud allows.
2. Recirc wall penetration is as low as pipe cover allows and in line with unit cold connection.
3. Cold wall penetration is low enough to accommodate cold connection components, high
enough to accommodate recirc components, and in line with unit cold connection.
4. Gas wall penetration is immediately east of electrical junction box, immediately below cold
water wall penetration, and high enough that drip leg does not obstruct other components.
5. Hot wall penetration is about 0.5 inches west of wall stud and at height that accommodates
hot connection components, does not obstruct other components, and has aesthetic order.
6. Condensate Drain wall penetration is about 025 inches east of wall stud in small, adjoining
stud bay and at a height that accommodates drain connection components, does not
obstruct other components, and has aesthetic order. Some rotation of pipe will be required
to reach unit’s condensate drain connection.
7. Unit Control Cable is secured between unit and gas wall penetration where it should be small
enough to pass through into the stud bay.
8. Pressure Relief Valve pipe comes down from unit’s connection to height of cold water wall
penetration, where it turns 90 degrees toward wall while also rotating slightly
counterclockwise to leave other components uncrowded and unobstructed. Upon reaching
wall, pipe turns 90 degrees downward, bending slightly around base molding, and
terminating 2 inches above garage floor. Clamps secure and support pipe on wall.
8
3
7
4
6
5
2
1
Page 5 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Water Heater Plumbing – Back Side
1. Electrical outlet behind-the-wall cable penetration is via west stud at height of junction box
bottom.
2. Recirc behind-the-wall pipe penetration is via base plate directly behind/beneath wall
penetration.
3. Cold behind-the-wall pipe penetration is via west stud teeing into output of cold water
management plumbing.
4. Gas behind-the-wall pipe penetration is via base plate directly behind/beneath wall
penetration.
5. Hot behind-the-wall pipe penetration is via base plate directly behind/beneath wall
penetration.
6. Condensate Drain behind-the-wall pipe penetration is via base plate directly behind/beneath
wall penetration.
7. Unit Control Cable is small enough that its cable path should utilize gas pipe base plate
penetration.
8. NOTE: Oven 240V Electrical Cable is present almost directly behind a stud and comes up
through kitchen floor. Care should be taken when drilling holes through base plate.
3
1
4
7 2 5
8
6
View from Kitchen to Back Side of Garage Drywall
Page 6 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
3
1
4
7
2
5
6
8
View from Crawlspace Below Kitchen Looking Up at Subfloor
Page 7 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Vent Path
Roof Discharge
with Extension Kit to ensure termination
matches current vent’s height above roof plane.
Total vent path is
~ 56 equivalent feet.
ATTIC
Roof Flashing for 9.75 pitch
Vent Clamp
Qty=2 39” Extensions
Properly supported and secured
Qty=2 45 Elbow Pairs
Qty=2 Vent Clamps
Qty=4 39” Extensions
Properly supported and secured
2 ND FLOOR
White Wall Plate
At garage ceiling
Shortened
19.5” Extension
Sloped 1.2 deg.
Horizontal Starter
Vent Clamp
90 Elbow
GARAGE
Page 8 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Floor 1 and Floor 2 Overlay – FYI
Garage
North
Water
Heater
Exterior
south wall
condensate
drain
penetration
Kitchen
Master
Bath
Right-
Side
Sink
Vertical
path up
common
wall is
8’5” to
8’6” off
south
wall
base
molding
Page 9 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Materials of Note:
Item Mfr Model Description Qty Source
01 Rinnai RUR199iN 11 Max GPM Sensei Condensing
Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water
Heater with Recirculation
Unit
Cost
Cost
1 kbauthority $1899 $1899
02 Rinnai PCD07-SM Pipe Cover Enclosure 1 kbauthority $90 $90
03 Rinnai PCD07-SM- Pipe Cover Enclosure Bottom Plate 1 kbauthority $25 $25
BP
04 Rinnai RWM101 Control-R WiFi Module 1 kbauthority $100 $100
05 Rinnai RWMPB01 Control-R Wireless Push Button 1 kbauthority $50 $50
06 Rinnai 229253NPP 2/4 Condensing Hor. Starter 1 kbauthority $20 $20
Adapter
07 Rinnai 229230NPP 2/4 Condensing 90 Degree Elbow 1 kbauthority $18 $18
08 Rinnai 229205NPP 2/4 Condensing 45 Degree Elbow 2 kbauthority $25 $50
Pair
09 Rinnai 229309NPP 2/4 Condensing Vent Pipe Ext., 1 kbauthority $20 $20
19.5”
10 Rinnai 229310NPP 2/4 Condensing Vent Pipe Ext., 39” 6 kbauthority $23 $141
11 Rinnai 710265 2/4 Rubber Wall Plate, White 1 kbauthority $3 $3
12 Rinnai 224356NPP 2/4 Condensing Roof Discharge 1 kbauthority $45 $45
Termination 20” above Roof
13 Rinnai 189951 6/12 to 12/12 Roof Flashing 1 kbauthority $46 $46
14 Rinnai 224042 Universal Bug Guard II 1 Build.com $80 $80
15 leakSMART 8881000 Water Leak Detection Starter Kit 1 Amazon $466 $466
3/4” Valve, Sensor, and Hub
16 leakSMART 8850700 Range Extender 1 Amazon $109 $109
17 Best
22-2SD-100 100' ft 22 Gauge 2 Conductor Solid 1 Amazon $13 $13
Connections White Security Alarm Wire Cable White
18 Leviton 8380-W 20 Amp, 125 Volt, Decora Plus 1 Amazon $46 $46
Duplex Receptacle, Straight Blade,
Hospital Grade, Self Grounding,
Surge with Indicator Light, White
19 Honeywell DS06-101- Dial-Set Female NPT, Single Union, 1 Amazon $77 $77
SUT-LF Internally-Threaded PRV, 3/4”
20 Everbilt ORS07812 3/4"x6’ Foam Self Seal Pipe Insul. 6 H. Depot $3 $18
21 Commercial 54677141 4 ft. White LED High Output Wrap 1 H. Depot $88 $88
Electric
58 Watt, 5200 Lum., 4000K, White
22 ProFlo PFXT5I 2.1 Gallon Thermal Expansion Tank 1 Build.com $63 $63
23 ProFlo PFXPGLF10 Dual Scale, Liquid Filled, Pressure 1 Ferguson $32 $32
0K
Gauge 0-100# for Potable Water
24 Rinnai 185348NPP 2/4 Condensing Roof Term. Ext. Kit 1 TBD $63 ?
25 Rinnai 169013 2/4 Pipe Clamp, Metal 4 TBD $6 ?
26 Rinnai 229308NPP 2/4 Condensing Vent Pipe Ext., 10” ? $29 ?
27 Rinnai 224056 2/4 Vent Support Bracket ? $39 ?
Highlighted vent pieces in the table above are “just in case” and will be returned if unneeded.
Concerns or suggestions about products listed should be brought to customer’s attention.
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Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Customer’s Idea of Construction Plan:
+----------------+
| DAY ONE | Identify Penetrations and Mount Water Heater (customer)
+----------------+
1.1 Centered 43 1/8 ” left of door casing, identify highest possible water heater location
that accommodates vent path, and mark height where vent connects to unit
(expected to be 95 5/8” off floor or 8 5/8” off ceiling).
1.2 Mount water heater in precise location identified above.
1.3 From both garage side and crawlspace side, consult with plumbing contractor to
identify and mark penetrations for each of 6 connections:
1) cold, 2) hot, 3) recirc, 4) gas, 5) condensate, and 6) electrical.
1.4 Remove drywall, as needed, for staging of target pipes to water heater.
1.5 Determine if framing changes are needed, and, if so, make them.
1.6 Mount electrical box in location identified by plumbing contractor.
1.7 Mount and connect Control-R Wi-Fi Module and connect to wireless push button.
1.8 Leave water heater electrical panel breaker in the off position.
+----------------+
| DAY TWO | Stage New Pipes and Connect Water Heater (plumbing contractor)
+----------------+
2.1 Stage target water, condensate. control unit cable, and gas pipes in crawlspace and
to water heater without disrupting service.
2.2 Install dedicated recirc line to master bath, right-side sink.
2.3 Confirm pipe cover will contain/hide water heater connections to hot, cold, recirc,
condensate, gas, control unit cable, and electrical outlet (with water heater and
shut-off valve power cables plugged in).
2.4 Connect water heater to cold, hot, recirc, pressure release, gas, condensate, and
power, leaving water and gas valves in the CLOSED positions
2.5 Install pipe cover.
2.6 Turn on water heater electrical panel breaker, and confirm readiness for transition.
Page 11 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
+------------------+
| DAY THREE | Transition from Tank to Tankless (plumbing contractor)
+------------------+
3.1 Turn off house water and gas supplies.
3.2 Drain tank.
3.3 Disconnect tank from water, gas, and vent.
3.4 Remove tank from tank stand.
3.5 Install whole house shut-off valve, check valve, pressure regulation valve, and
expansion tank, and connect shut-off valve to power outlet under pipe cover.
3.6 Complete crawlspace transition to new piping configuration.
3.7 Measure and record height of existing B-vent roof termination, and then remove B-
vent from garage up through roof termination.
3.8 Install tankless 2/4 vent from unit through to roof, matching previous roof
termination height.
3.9 Turn on water and check for leaks.
3.10 Turn on gas and check for leaks.
3.11 Enable water and gas to water heater, and verify operational status of shut-off
valve, check valve, pressure regulation valve, expansion tank, tankless water heater,
condensate path, vent path, wireless control unit, wireless push button, and recirc.
3.12 Clean Up
> Insulate accessible 3/4” hot and recirc pipes in walls and in crawlspace.
> Vacuum crawlspace areas where work was performed.
> Confirm no leaks in crawlspace where work was performed.
> Confirm no damage to other crawlspace facilities where people were crawling.
Page 12 of 13

Water Heater Improvement 1518 W. Northfield Blvd. 37129
Questions:
1. Is expansion tank, air vent, or check valve needed when using dedicated recirc?
Answer: Expansion tank and check valve are required with dedicated recirc.
2. Should PEX or Copper be used for new plumbing?
Answer: A mix of copper and PEX is appropriate for this project.
3. Is a condensate neutralizer needed?
Answer: No.
4. Is it feasible to get the clean look depicted in “AFTER” garage diagram?
Answer: Yes, IF… the cold water management arrangement can fit as depicted.
5. Is it advisable to install a scale cutter in the water heater’s cold water supply line?
Answer: Yes, IF… hot water heater manufacturer so advises.
6. Are we within Rinnai specification for recirculation?
Answer: Yes.
7. Does AC-250 gas meter need to be replaced with higher capacity meter?
Answer: Per ATMOS Steve at 615-566-3076, no. AC-250 handles up to 400KBTU/hr.
8. Are we okay with 1” gas backbone pipe and 3/4” leg to water heater?
Answer: Yes.
9. What permits and inspections will be required for this effort?
Answer: None.
10. Who will be up on the roof removing the old vent and installing the new?
Answer: Plumbing contractor
11. Does it appear feasible to remove B-vent and run 2/4 vent in that path?
Answer: Yes.
12. Is page 3 description of AFTER pipe materials and sizes correct?
Answer:
13. Is page 4 representation of cold water management correct in components, order,
and fit within existing space?
Answer:
14. Does PRV also serve as check valve, making cold supply check valve unneeded?
Answer:
15. Is page 5 – 7 representation of water heater plumbing workable in spatial
arrangement and pipe routing?
Answer:
16. Is page 8 representation of qty=4 vent clamps workable and sufficient?
Answer:
17. Is page 9 recirculation vertical path workable?
Answer:
Page 13 of 13