Can I hook up my own electric waterheater

[Coastal]

Hi all, our old water tank has died afer 18 year lol, I have a 2nd hand RHEEM Electric Hot Water Heater, 250 Litre
What are the possibilites of me hooking it up? is it dificult?

Coastal

[Uncle Bob]

Legally no.
Is it difficult? Depends on your level of competency.
Is it dangerous? Yes, absolutely! See the Mythbusters episode where they explode. Also there's the electrocution risk also.

I would recommend getting a tradesman in on this one.

[Master Splinter]

Legally? No. As a non-qualified person, you can't even undo the screws that hold a power point to a wall, let alone touch any of the fixed wiring. It's a bit better with plumbing - if you live in Queensland you can legally change a tap washer (not sure about the legality of this in other states) but that's about the limit of it.

However it's not difficult if you can solder copper pipe, but I would check the other unit's condition first (they can rust out horribly in storage if stored poorly and be barely worth the time). Also check the pressure limiting valve requirements (probably worthwhile getting a new one anyway) and google up the install manual for the water heater - a new sacrificial anode would also be a good idea.

[Bros]

Legally no as the others have said but the standard 250l HW heaters had a larger element in them and had to be wired with 2.5mm cable so what is the nameplate rating of the old and new as you may have to get a smaller element or replace the wiring if it is 1mm.

[davidajelliott]

You may also need a Thermostat Mixing Valve to prevent scalding , I'm not a plumber but it might even be a legal requirement when you replace an old Hot Water system ?

[Oldsaltoz]

You may have some problems with warranty and home insurance if you cannot produce a docket. Of course, if it burns to the ground you might be right.

[chalkyt]

As with the others, this is a genuine case for "call an electrician" or at least a plumber with a connect/disconnect license. Especially with an old unit, electrically it (and the wiring) needs to be checked for insulation resistance, earth continuity, appropriate size and condition of the wiring, circuit breaker or fuse size, mechanical fixing of the flexible conduit (or whatever wiring protection is used), as well as any plumbing checks and tests. My advice is to pay someone who knows, and get it right!

[Bloss]

As others have said illegal to do so. My own view is that if you have to ask you almost certainly shouldn't. It is one things to be shown or do a job (as do apprentices) with a professional with you, quite another with gas and electricity to just have a go. It shouldn't be too costly and worth getting a tradie - still way ahead of a new unit.

[boo]

:whs: