Water Heater Install: anything wrong here?

[Jack Palmer]

Greetings,
do you see anything wrong with that setup?
thanks!
Jack

 

[breplum]

not enough clarity in one photo to comment accurately.
Generic comments:
Thin insulation is nearly worthless.
T & P must run to outdoors. Indoor WH must have safety drain pan if damage could occur.
Charge on exp tank checked?

 

[kiwi_outdoors]

accumulator is meant to be installed vertically

 

[MicEd69]

accumulator is meant to be installed vertically

The picture shows an expansion tank which is different than an accumulator tank. As long as it is supported properly taking all stress off of the piping connection, it can be installed in any position.

 

[breplum]

accumulator is meant to be installed vertically

Your statement is simply incorrect as relates to expansion tanks in domestic water systems.
There are no "accumulators" sold in the plumbing trade channel, though concept may be similar.

 

[Jack Palmer]

Thanks all for your replies. I saw that new setup at a friend's place and I was surprised as it looked slightly different from mine. I was wondering why having a PVC pipe and not a copper one for the relief valve. I was also wondering if the electrical wires should have been enclosed in a conduit. Also, why the strap securing the expansion tank is not placed at the middle of the tank? Finally, in regards to the insulation, I could not understand why... there are so many other pipes exposed in that basement anyway.
Not pictured here is the absence of a strap securing the water heater itself... (I learnt that lesson when living in California a long time ago...)
thanks again.

 

[MicEd69]

The P&T valve piping is CPVC and is an acceptable relief valve pipe material.

Residential wiring does not have to be MC or in conduit. NM, aka ROMEX, is generally used for residential work.

As long as the expansion tank is well supported, the location of the straps isn't super critical. The requirement is to eliminate the stress off the tank to pipe connection.

Apparently, the cold-water inlet piping is insulated to prevent condensation, and the hot water outlet piping is insulated for energy conservation. The rest of the piping isn't insulated because someone hasn't done it yet, if they ever will. Water piping in basements is often not insulated at all.

Water heater straps are usually only required for seismic areas, like California.

 

[Jack Palmer]

The P&T valve piping is CPVC and is an acceptable relief valve pipe material.

Residential wiring does not have to be MC or in conduit. NM, aka ROMEX, is generally used for residential work.

As long as the expansion tank is well supported, the location of the straps isn't super critical. The requirement is to eliminate the stress off the tank to pipe connection.

Apparently, the cold-water inlet piping is insulated to prevent condensation, and the hot water outlet piping is insulated for energy conservation. The rest of the piping isn't insulated because someone hasn't done it yet, if they ever will. Water piping in basements is often not insulated at all.

Water heater straps are usually only required for seismic areas, like California.

thanks!

 

[Twowaxhack]

The cold side also loses heat near the heater.