[hello2008]

Hi, We have a small upstairs bath with shower that has its own water heater. We also have a downstairs gas water heater (we are soon changing to electric because this is only thing on gas) that runs downstairs bath, laundry, kitchen. We are considering making the upstairs bath run off the downstairs water heater and get rid of that water heater all together since we never use it. What would we need to do? How hard is it to do? Can we do it ourselves?
Thanks

[ballengerb1]

Your upstairs heater is currently only supplied with cold water. It is heated and then piped to pipes only dedicated to your upstairs. You can cap the incoming cold and remove the tank. The upstairs heated hot pipe needs to be extended to somewhere on the first floor where it can be tied into an existing hot pipe. Look for a hot water pipe that is 3/4" to tie in to.

[massplumber2008]

OK... exactly as ballengerb1 said. Just wondering though... why switch from gas to electric? The recovery rate is much faster for gas water heater than electric water heater... I mean, and ballengerb1 and others will correct me if I am wrong *smirk*, dollar for dollar you are better off heating with gas, especially if you use or anywhere near max. out your heater as it is now.

And, if you do what ballengerb1 said... you can do the switch over... grab a plumber DIY book at the Home Depot or Lowe's home improvement stores and check it out... not too hard if you know what to expect.

Good luck... let me know if this post was helpful. If it was please press the RATE THIS ANSWER button below. Thank you!

[ballengerb1]

Good point, I am actually switching from electric to a propane tankless heater this week. My electric bill is killling me every month.