If you are building a new home you may have several alternative locations for placement of the water heater. Common locations include the attic, a basement or crawl space, an indoor utility room, and an attached garage. Each location has its advantages and disadvantages. If you are not happy with the proposed location, talk to your builder or general contractor about different water heater installation options.
For existing homes, changing the location of a water heater can be problematic depending on where it is located, where you want to relocate it, and the accessibility of the plumbing. Talk to your plumber about any concerns you have regarding the current location and the feasibility and cost of moving the water heater to a new location.
Locating the water heater inside a heated space such as an indoor utility closet or heated garage will help reduce standby heat losses and in many cases, an indoor location will minimize the length of hot water supply lines which will reduce heat loss and shorten wait times for hot water.
However, many homeowners prefer to locate the water heater outside the living space to avoid the possibility of flooding damage if the water heater starts leaking. Also, locating gas water heaters outside of living spaces can make venting the unit easy and minimizes concerns about carbon monoxide and gas leaks. Basements and garages are good locations outside of the home that offer good accessibility.
Attics are a common location for water heaters. There are a lot of advantages to placing a water heater in the attic. There is usually plenty of space and it is relatively easy to access and service the water heater. However, take extra care to ensure that a deep drip pan is installed under the water heater along with a leak free drain line. If the water heater leaks leaks you want to ensure that it does not cause any damage to your walls and ceilings.
