Hi again. I love this website.

I am renovating a very small kitchen, and every inch counts. To maximize cabinet space, I'm putting the electric water heater under the countertop. The kitchen countertop is L shaped, and I'm putting the water heater in the corner, with a cabinet on each side of it. The diameter of the water heater is less than 24 inches, so the cabinets on each side butt in the corner.

I keep hearing that there must be adequate ventilation for a water heater, and that putting it in an enclosed space is dangerous due to gas buildup. I can understand why a gas water heater should be well vented, but is there any reason for an electric appliance to be vented. As near as I can tell, the appliance is sealed, and there are no vents on it that will produce gas. In any event, I would think there are enough spaces and gaps between cabinets to let gas disapate.

Thanks in advance.

Glenn

I struggle to see why it should be a problem. It does have a pressure relief valve? Does it have a bottom drain? If so, you might pipe it to where you can drain sediment out monthly. Likely you can unscrew the valve that comes on it and run CPVC out to a valve near a drain. Also you should instal the cabinets in such a way as to give access to it without tearing the whole kitchen apart.

Hi Glen, Welcome back.

There will be no problem with a electric counter top heater. I've had the original counter top heater in my place ever since the house was built 51 years ago. No need to vent or worry about the enclosed space. The heater's insulated so heat won't escape. Labman gave you top advice. Pipe both the T&P discharge pipe and the boiler drain to the outside if the heater sits on a outside wall and flush the heater once a month and that heater just might out last you. Let me show you how to flush your heater. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) and some white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). The whole thing shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. . Good luck, TOM

I am looking for a Envi-ro-temp Electric Countertop hot water heater 24" X 25". Please email me at [email protected] if anyone can help.