This question is one we hear from all our Texas people. Why is the water heater in the attic? It has to do entirely with the builder of the home's preference and needs. Many people wish the water heater was in the garage or on the main level. Some have it this way and love it- while others don’t.
A few years ago, the plumbers of Texas organized and tried to make it law that the water heaters be put on the main floor; this is easier on the plumber and, in the end, cheaper for a customer. But the builders of Texas heard this and immediately grouped together and fought this off because they wanted to keep putting the water heater in the attic.
There are plenty of opinions as to why, but the main thought is that if the water heater is in the attic, there is more usable square footage in the home, which means more $$$ for the builder.
What Are the Pros of Having a Water Heater in the Attic?
Accessibility
Attics are, for the most part, empty storage zones of a home, so simply pulling down a string for the attic door gives simple access to the water heater. It is even in our Texas plumbing code, 502.3:
Attics containing a water heater shall be provided with an opening and unobstructed passageway large enough to allow removal of the water heater…
Appearance
When a water heater is in the attic, it is concealed from the daily eye line of the consumer. All the mechanics, piping, and accessories of a traditional tank-type water heater can be an eye-sore if someone is going for the ultra-organized sleek look in the garage.
If this is the case for you, and you don’t want to move your water heater, consider going tankless! You’ll love having the extra space! Click here to learn about tankless water heaters.
Distribution
It has been argued that the hot water will get to your plumbing fixtures quicker if your water heater is in the attic. This can be very true or very false. It all comes down to the placement of the heater in your attic. If it is further from the fixture, it will take longer to get there, regardless of attic or garage placement. That being said, if you have a huge attic and want a tank-type water heater in your home, you can decide which fixtures get hot water quickly by choosing the correct placement during the building process. If you are not having a new home built, consider a recirculating pump, this could help with that issue tremendously!
Safety
It is never a good idea to keep flammable objects near your water heater because it has a flame going at all times. Among all the random things we store in our garage, some of those are flammable, so if a water heater is put in the attic away from these items, you eliminate the potential for these fire-related accidents to happen.
What Are the Cons of Having a Water Heater in My Attic?
Structure
A typical tank-type water heater holds 40 to 50 gallons of water at all times in addition to the weight of the appliance itself. If your attic is not built structurally sound, the weight over the course of 10-15 years will be an issue that could lead to problems if the water heater falls through.
Water leaks
When the water heater is in the attic, it is out of sight, out of mind. Because we aren’t thinking about it or seeing it, we might not notice the leaks or rust accumulation that is taking place. And, if you don’t have a water softener, the hard water is causing the system to break down even quickly. If the water heater starts to have issues, there is a drain pan under to catch those leaks- but if left unrepaired, this small drip can become an issue too large for the drain pan to handle. You could then start to see water damage on the ceiling, and if it is a major problem, you could flood your attic and anything under it. We never want to give people a reason to be afraid; this is all avoidable if you do proper maintenance on your water heater. For more information, please check out our JD Precision Select Membership Plans, so we can take care of this maintenance for you.
Cost
Accessing water heaters in the attic is more difficult than on the main level, and replacement of the water heaters in the attic requires a second man to safely uninstall and install the new unit. There is also additional risk involved with not all attics being built equally. Because of this, there is oftentimes an extra charge for the replacement of a water heater in the attic.
Can I Relocate My Water Heater From the Attic to My Garage?
Absolutely! We recommend you move the water heater to the ground floor, which requires you to move water lines, venting, gas lines or electrical work, drain pan lines, temperature and pressure lines, and the unit itself. A more cost-effective option for someone wanting to move the water heater would be upgrading to a tankless water heater.
