Want to switch to tankless, but can I use my existing wiring?
The tankless water heaters I am looking at require 8 AWG wire but the existing wiring is 12 AWG.
Can I do this without having to rerun new wire?
electrical wire tankless
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
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add a comment |
The tankless water heaters I am looking at require 8 AWG wire but the existing wiring is 12 AWG.
Can I do this without having to rerun new wire?
electrical wire tankless
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
111
New contributor
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
8 AWG wire has a cross-sectional area that is a bit more than 2.5 times that of 12 gauge wire, so no, you can't do that unless you really hate your house and would like to burn it down, preferably without you in it.
– BillDOe
4 hours ago
If existing wire is 12, then you have a natural gas supply, no? Anywhere afaik, that has gas: it's cheaper to use it then electricity. If you're on propane tanks, then nevermind.
– Mazura
14 mins ago
add a comment |
The tankless water heaters I am looking at require 8 AWG wire but the existing wiring is 12 AWG.
Can I do this without having to rerun new wire?
electrical wire tankless
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
111
New contributor
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The tankless water heaters I am looking at require 8 AWG wire but the existing wiring is 12 AWG.
Can I do this without having to rerun new wire?
electrical wire tankless
electrical wire tankless
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
111
New contributor
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
111
New contributor
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
edited 4 hours ago
JPhi1618
9,36812145
9,36812145
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
111
New contributor
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
111
asked 4 hours ago
MegMeg
111
111
New contributor
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Meg is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
4
8 AWG wire has a cross-sectional area that is a bit more than 2.5 times that of 12 gauge wire, so no, you can't do that unless you really hate your house and would like to burn it down, preferably without you in it.
– BillDOe
4 hours ago
If existing wire is 12, then you have a natural gas supply, no? Anywhere afaik, that has gas: it's cheaper to use it then electricity. If you're on propane tanks, then nevermind.
– Mazura
14 mins ago
add a comment |
4
8 AWG wire has a cross-sectional area that is a bit more than 2.5 times that of 12 gauge wire, so no, you can't do that unless you really hate your house and would like to burn it down, preferably without you in it.
– BillDOe
4 hours ago
If existing wire is 12, then you have a natural gas supply, no? Anywhere afaik, that has gas: it's cheaper to use it then electricity. If you're on propane tanks, then nevermind.
– Mazura
14 mins ago
4
4
8 AWG wire has a cross-sectional area that is a bit more than 2.5 times that of 12 gauge wire, so no, you can't do that unless you really hate your house and would like to burn it down, preferably without you in it.
– BillDOe
4 hours ago
8 AWG wire has a cross-sectional area that is a bit more than 2.5 times that of 12 gauge wire, so no, you can't do that unless you really hate your house and would like to burn it down, preferably without you in it.
– BillDOe
4 hours ago
If existing wire is 12, then you have a natural gas supply, no? Anywhere afaik, that has gas: it's cheaper to use it then electricity. If you're on propane tanks, then nevermind.
– Mazura
14 mins ago
If existing wire is 12, then you have a natural gas supply, no? Anywhere afaik, that has gas: it's cheaper to use it then electricity. If you're on propane tanks, then nevermind.
– Mazura
14 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
If a heater requires 8 AWG wire, it's because it requires more electricity than a smaller wire is capable of safely delivering. If you used the 12 AWG wire, first the 20A breaker would trip, but if that was upgraded (DO NOT) then the wire itself would turn into a heater and burn down the house.
What I'm saying here is that when too much electricity is run through a wire that is too small, it heats up. Wire sizes are based on keeping a wire cool enough to not cause a fire when it's used. Wire sizes are hard requirements, not suggestions.
The only option here is to run new wire or choose a smaller water heater.
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
add a comment |
You cannot use an electric tankless water heater in place of an electric tank without a significant upgrade in wiring and most probably adding new breakers to make a total of two or three breakers. Even new wiring of the proper size might not be enough because your electric service might not have enough capacity for a central electric tankless WH.
What is the make and model of the tankless water heater you are hoping to install? If you look at the installation reuirements, it will probably require two or three 40 A breakers and of course separate wiring for each breaker.
The simplest course of action is simply to replace your electric tank with another electric tank which has the same power requirements.
If you have a natural gas furnace, you might be able to install a natural gas fired tankless water heater, but this might require running new gas pipe to supply both the furnace and the water heater. And it would be very expensive to have installed.
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
1
I was being optimistic and thinking this was point of use, but you're right - people rarely realize how much power (and therefore install money) it takes to run an electric tankless.
– JPhi1618
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
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2 Answers
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votes
If a heater requires 8 AWG wire, it's because it requires more electricity than a smaller wire is capable of safely delivering. If you used the 12 AWG wire, first the 20A breaker would trip, but if that was upgraded (DO NOT) then the wire itself would turn into a heater and burn down the house.
What I'm saying here is that when too much electricity is run through a wire that is too small, it heats up. Wire sizes are based on keeping a wire cool enough to not cause a fire when it's used. Wire sizes are hard requirements, not suggestions.
The only option here is to run new wire or choose a smaller water heater.
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
add a comment |
If a heater requires 8 AWG wire, it's because it requires more electricity than a smaller wire is capable of safely delivering. If you used the 12 AWG wire, first the 20A breaker would trip, but if that was upgraded (DO NOT) then the wire itself would turn into a heater and burn down the house.
What I'm saying here is that when too much electricity is run through a wire that is too small, it heats up. Wire sizes are based on keeping a wire cool enough to not cause a fire when it's used. Wire sizes are hard requirements, not suggestions.
The only option here is to run new wire or choose a smaller water heater.
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
add a comment |
If a heater requires 8 AWG wire, it's because it requires more electricity than a smaller wire is capable of safely delivering. If you used the 12 AWG wire, first the 20A breaker would trip, but if that was upgraded (DO NOT) then the wire itself would turn into a heater and burn down the house.
What I'm saying here is that when too much electricity is run through a wire that is too small, it heats up. Wire sizes are based on keeping a wire cool enough to not cause a fire when it's used. Wire sizes are hard requirements, not suggestions.
The only option here is to run new wire or choose a smaller water heater.
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
If a heater requires 8 AWG wire, it's because it requires more electricity than a smaller wire is capable of safely delivering. If you used the 12 AWG wire, first the 20A breaker would trip, but if that was upgraded (DO NOT) then the wire itself would turn into a heater and burn down the house.
What I'm saying here is that when too much electricity is run through a wire that is too small, it heats up. Wire sizes are based on keeping a wire cool enough to not cause a fire when it's used. Wire sizes are hard requirements, not suggestions.
The only option here is to run new wire or choose a smaller water heater.
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
answered 4 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
9,36812145
9,36812145
add a comment |
add a comment |
You cannot use an electric tankless water heater in place of an electric tank without a significant upgrade in wiring and most probably adding new breakers to make a total of two or three breakers. Even new wiring of the proper size might not be enough because your electric service might not have enough capacity for a central electric tankless WH.
What is the make and model of the tankless water heater you are hoping to install? If you look at the installation reuirements, it will probably require two or three 40 A breakers and of course separate wiring for each breaker.
The simplest course of action is simply to replace your electric tank with another electric tank which has the same power requirements.
If you have a natural gas furnace, you might be able to install a natural gas fired tankless water heater, but this might require running new gas pipe to supply both the furnace and the water heater. And it would be very expensive to have installed.
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
1
I was being optimistic and thinking this was point of use, but you're right - people rarely realize how much power (and therefore install money) it takes to run an electric tankless.
– JPhi1618
3 hours ago
add a comment |
You cannot use an electric tankless water heater in place of an electric tank without a significant upgrade in wiring and most probably adding new breakers to make a total of two or three breakers. Even new wiring of the proper size might not be enough because your electric service might not have enough capacity for a central electric tankless WH.
What is the make and model of the tankless water heater you are hoping to install? If you look at the installation reuirements, it will probably require two or three 40 A breakers and of course separate wiring for each breaker.
The simplest course of action is simply to replace your electric tank with another electric tank which has the same power requirements.
If you have a natural gas furnace, you might be able to install a natural gas fired tankless water heater, but this might require running new gas pipe to supply both the furnace and the water heater. And it would be very expensive to have installed.
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
1
I was being optimistic and thinking this was point of use, but you're right - people rarely realize how much power (and therefore install money) it takes to run an electric tankless.
– JPhi1618
3 hours ago
add a comment |
You cannot use an electric tankless water heater in place of an electric tank without a significant upgrade in wiring and most probably adding new breakers to make a total of two or three breakers. Even new wiring of the proper size might not be enough because your electric service might not have enough capacity for a central electric tankless WH.
What is the make and model of the tankless water heater you are hoping to install? If you look at the installation reuirements, it will probably require two or three 40 A breakers and of course separate wiring for each breaker.
The simplest course of action is simply to replace your electric tank with another electric tank which has the same power requirements.
If you have a natural gas furnace, you might be able to install a natural gas fired tankless water heater, but this might require running new gas pipe to supply both the furnace and the water heater. And it would be very expensive to have installed.
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
You cannot use an electric tankless water heater in place of an electric tank without a significant upgrade in wiring and most probably adding new breakers to make a total of two or three breakers. Even new wiring of the proper size might not be enough because your electric service might not have enough capacity for a central electric tankless WH.
What is the make and model of the tankless water heater you are hoping to install? If you look at the installation reuirements, it will probably require two or three 40 A breakers and of course separate wiring for each breaker.
The simplest course of action is simply to replace your electric tank with another electric tank which has the same power requirements.
If you have a natural gas furnace, you might be able to install a natural gas fired tankless water heater, but this might require running new gas pipe to supply both the furnace and the water heater. And it would be very expensive to have installed.
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
edited 3 hours ago
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
answered 4 hours ago
Jim StewartJim Stewart
11.7k11332
11.7k11332
1
I was being optimistic and thinking this was point of use, but you're right - people rarely realize how much power (and therefore install money) it takes to run an electric tankless.
– JPhi1618
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1
I was being optimistic and thinking this was point of use, but you're right - people rarely realize how much power (and therefore install money) it takes to run an electric tankless.
– JPhi1618
3 hours ago
1
1
I was being optimistic and thinking this was point of use, but you're right - people rarely realize how much power (and therefore install money) it takes to run an electric tankless.
– JPhi1618
3 hours ago
I was being optimistic and thinking this was point of use, but you're right - people rarely realize how much power (and therefore install money) it takes to run an electric tankless.
– JPhi1618
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Meg is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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4
8 AWG wire has a cross-sectional area that is a bit more than 2.5 times that of 12 gauge wire, so no, you can't do that unless you really hate your house and would like to burn it down, preferably without you in it.
– BillDOe
4 hours ago
If existing wire is 12, then you have a natural gas supply, no? Anywhere afaik, that has gas: it's cheaper to use it then electricity. If you're on propane tanks, then nevermind.
– Mazura
14 mins ago