Whirlpool E2F40RD045V Owner's Manual

Residen  al Electric Water Heater Use and Care Guide • 7

F

ollow these steps for proper
installa  on:

✓

Installing a new water heater is the 
perfect   me to examine your home’s 
plumbing system and make sure the 
system is up to current code standards. 
There have likely been plumbing code 
changes since the old water heater 
was installed. We recommend install-
ing the following accessories and any 
other needed changes to bring your 
home up to the latest code require-
ments.  

Use the checklist below and inspect 
your home. Install any devices you need 
to comply with codes and assure that 
your new water heater performs at its 
best. Check with your local plumbing 
offi

  cial for more informa  on.

✓

We recommend checking your 

home’s water pressure with a pressure 
gauge (fi gure 4). Most codes allow a 
maximum incoming water pressure of 
80 psi. We recommend a working pres-
sure no higher than 50-60 psi. 

HOW: Purchase an inexpensive water 
pressure gauge from Lowe’s®. Connect 
the Water Pressure Gauge to an out-
side faucet and measure the maximum 
water pressure experienced through-
out the day (highest water pressures 

o  en occur at night). 

To limit your home’s water pressure:
Locate your home’s Pressure Reduc-
ing Valve (PRV) on the main incoming 
(cold) water supply line and adjust the 
water pressure control to between 50 
and 60 psi. If your home does not have 
a Pressure Reducing Valve, install a 
PRV on the home’s main water supply 
line and set it to between 50 and 60 
psi. Pressure Reducing Valves are avail-
able at Lowe’s®.

BACKGROUND: Over the years, many 
u  li  es have increased water sup-
ply pressures so they can serve more 
homes. In some homes today, pres-
sures exceed 100 psi. High water 
pressures can damage water heaters, 
causing premature leaks. If you have 
replaced toilet valves, had a water 
heater leak, or had to repair applianc-
es connected to the plumbing system, 
pay par  cular a  en  on to your home’s 
water pressure. When purshasing a 
PRV, make sure the PRV has a built-in 
bypass.

✓

Verify that you have a properly sized 
Thermal Expansion Tank (fi gure 5). We 
recommend installing an expansion 
tank if your home does not have one. 
Codes require a properly pressurized, 
properly sized Thermal Expansion Tank 
in almost all homes. (See photo on 
inside front cover.)

HOW: Connect the Thermal Expansion 
Tank (available from Lowe’s®) to the 
cold water supply line near the water 
heater. The expansion tank contains 
a bladder and an air charge. To work 
properly, the Thermal Expansion Tank 
must be sized according to the water 
heater’s tank capacity and pressurized 
to match the home’s incoming water 
pressure. Refer to the installa  on 
instruc  ons provided with the Thermal 
Expansion Tank for installa  on details.

BACKGROUND: Water expands when 
heated, and the increased volume 
of water must have a place to go, or 

Figure 4 -  Use a Water Pressure Gauge to make 
sure your home’s water pressure is not too high.

Figure 5 - A Thermal Expansion Tank helps 
protect the home’s plumbing system from pres-
sure spikes.