1 is of course the most obvious if the supply breaks loose i have seen before it is like opening a 3 4 hose bib in the attic without a catch.
Why do they put water heater in the attic.
Adjusting the temperature is harder.
Attic hvac units are potentially inefficient.
Simply put as long as there is enough combustion air provided tankless water heaters can be installed in any area of your home from a utility room to a garage to yes even an old dusty attic.
There are some legitimate reasons for locating a water heater in the attic since it is usually warmer than a basement crawlspace or garage depending upon your location.
Water heaters in the attic are extremely efficient in the warmer months.
During the winter time a water heater and piping in the attic space should be insulated to protect against freezing temperatures.
Even when furnaces are put on the main floor floodwaters often overrun the first floor causing severe damage to the unit.
Just installing the furnace in the attic crawl way of a single story home gives protection from most flooding.
Sometimes the hvac system winds up in the attic because it s the last thing on the home designer s list.
Down in the sunbelt where there is little to no chance of a waterline freezing in the attic space it has become a common practice to put the water heater in the attic to conserve livable space especially in contractor turnkey constuction but due to the physical problems and additional code requirements it is generally not considered economical for a retrofit.
I feel a water heater in the attic is a bad decision for many reasons but would like to hear others opinion on it as well but for the sake of posting i will also give a few of my own reasons as well.
Another reason why installing a gas water heater in the attic is not a good idea is if the tank or any connection leaks.
Maintenance should be done yearly and is more difficult because going into the attic is cumbersome.
The pull down stairs to the attic allows access but is unlikely to hold the weight of anyone trying to remove a bad water heater.
The water will flood rooms in the lower level and do the damage.
In flood prone areas instaling a furnace in the attic provides protection.
It s problematic to have a water heater in your attic because leaks can damage your attic and foster an environment for mold.
By the time the hvac unit gets planned putting it in the attic is the only thing that makes sense especially cost wise.
You will however need gas and water pipes that can reach your tankless water heater which is why in general most plumbers recommend simply.
I enjoy heater work as well and the attic ones do get charges more.
Now a secondary line of reasoning for placing a water heater in the attic is the high temperatures that occur in an attic particularly during the summer months.