Water Heater Pipe Question

[magnum68]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I am planning on having my water heater replaced. The top of my WH has the Hot & Cold water pipes and the high pressure relief valve. But at the bottom there is another pipe which I have no clue what it is. I don't plan on replacing this myself but would like to know what that extra line is for. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
magnum68

 

[Caduceus]

The extra pipe looks like a recirculation line for the hot water. It may be operating by gravity/convection, since there is no visible pump. When the tank is replaced, be sure to put a check valve on the recirc line unless one already exists under the insulation.

 

[magnum68]

The extra pipe looks like a recirculation line for the hot water. It may be operating by gravity/convection, since there is no visible pump. When the tank is replaced, be sure to put a check valve on the recirc line unless one already exists under the insulation.

Thanks for the reply. What would happen if I don't have that extra pipe installed on my new water heater?

 

[IFIXH20]

If you have a heat pump with recovery heat there is a good chance the piping could be going to it. Check to see if you have 1/2'' piping outside at the heat pump or maybe a recovery box attach to the house by the heat pump.

 

[magnum68]

If you have a heat pump with recovery heat there is a good chance the piping could be going to it. Check to see if you have 1/2'' piping outside at the heat pump or maybe a recovery box attach to the house by the heat pump.

Hi, if there is a heat pump it's nowhere to be found unless it's behind the wall. I'm just curious if that line needs to be connected to the new water heater I plan to have installed. What I did for the moment was that I turned off that line using the water valve wheel and really saw no difference in water temperature or pressure. I just don't want that extra line connected to my new water heater if I really don't need it.

 

[IFIXH20]

The heat pump is the unit outside that helps heat & cools the house

 

[IFIXH20]

If the lines are connected to a heat pump recovery and the recovery is in uses then the lines should be reconnected.

 

[magnum68]

The heat pump is the unit outside that helps heat & cools the house

The only thing I have outside is the AC Compressor. I live in Florida, don't know if that makes a difference about the heat fan.

 

[johnjh2o]

IFIXH2O is correct that is from a heat recovery unit. At first glance I failed to see the other line on the top of the heater.

 

[magnum68]

I removed the insulation so you guys can have a better view of the line.

 

[IFIXH20]

Sorry I lost my internet connection. Take some photos of the heat pump and surroundind area. The a/c compressor is the heat pump. I assume you have a heat pump living in Florida

 

[magnum68]

Sorry I lost my internet connection. Take some photos of the heat pump and surroundind area. The a/c compressor is the heat pump. I assume you have a heat pump living in Florida

Please excuse the weeds

 

[DFBonnett]

Drain line for the water heater?

 

[magnum68]

Drain line for the water heater?

I just opened it up and went outside to see if it would drain but nothing came out. I did notice that my water heater sounded a bit louder when I turned the line on but when I turned it off the sound went back to normal.

 

[magnum68]

I just would like to know what would happen if I don't have that line reconnected to the new water heater?

 

[phishfood]

If the valve that is in that line has been turned off all of this time, then nothing would happen, as that line hasn't been in use anyway.

 

[IFIXH20]

The lines are/were for recovery heat. The weeds are in the way, but it appears that the lines are disconnected at the ground. Clear the weeds and we can give you a definite answer to terminate the lines.

 

[magnum68]

The lines are/were for recovery heat. The weeds are in the way, but it appears that the lines are disconnected at the ground. Clear the weeds and we can give you a definitely answer to terminate the lines.

I'll try to clear the weeds tomorrow. The lines that you see that are disconnected are from the AC unit. The house was built with the AC lines running underneath the house but then we had a leak and it was disconnected and bypassed by the side of the house all the way to the attic.

 

[IFIXH20]

There appear to be a 1/2'' line between the house and the heat pump . The lines that connects the heat pump to the evaporate coil are 3/4'' or 7/8'' and 3/8''. After clearing the weeds we can give you the answer you are looking for.

 

[magnum68]

I cleared the weeds and I opened the box on the wall.