I'm installing a new electric hot water tank where the manifold that it will be supplying hot water to is at the same level as the top of the tank. My question is can I connect directly to the manifold right from the hot side of the tank or do I need to go straight up for 18" before making a 90 degree turn when connecting it?

Thanks
Bob

Hi Bob:

What type of pipe/fittings are you using? I usually suggest 12-18" of solid copper pipe or flexible corrugated copper connectors (see pic.) as a minimum before transitioning over to pex or any other kind of thermoplastic piping material.

Going horizontal the 12-18" is just as good as going vertical. Hope that answered your question... Mark.

Thanks Mark,

I was planning on using the flexible copper tubing then connecting to Pex. So it sounds like it is fine to make 90 right out of the tank which is about 3 ft from the manifold. Should both the inlet and outlet be copper or just the outlet?

Thanks again.
Bob

You may use the flexible tubing or a brass nipple for the cold water connection, But if elevation's tight I would come out of the hot side with a 3/4 copper male adapter, then a 3/4 streel ell followed by a piece of 3/4 copper over to the manifold. Good luck, Tom