Plastic Plumbing Pipe

Plastic Pipe

Be aware of issues surrounding PVC plumbing for drinking water. Please check that out if you are a do-your-self type of person. Go to google.com and search PVC.  CPVC is coated PVC to make it drinking water safe.  Check out PEX which is formulated to make it drinking water safe. Also check out the following as a guide to PVC alternatives:  http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/alternatives.html

If using CPVC or considering another alternative, then you must install 36” from both the American Heat cold water inlet and outlet to prevent damage from heat to the plastic pipe...(48" on the ADK-16).  Attach a 36 inch copper pipe to the American Heat before attaching to the plastic pipe. (See company brochure that comes with your American Heat).  If soldering the copper pipe then remove pipe from both the plastic pipe and the other end which is hooked up to your American Heat to prevent heat damage from soldering.  American Heat installation instructions come with each American Heat tankless water heater. 

If using plastic pipe, then please note:  A few PVC cement products such as Gorilla™ PVC cement are formulated to reduce toxic exposures. These products are described as non-toxic and low odor. 

You must protect your pre-existing plastic pipe from heat by the existing plastic pipe to 36" of copper pipe or equivalent on both side of the American Heat heater . .(48" on the ADK-16 unit). Plastic pipe should also have a pressure relief valve attached before attachment to the tankless.  This would be to protect plastic pipe from possible rupture.  If using a larger ADK16, 16 kilowatt, 66 Amp unit then use a minimum of 48" of copper pipe because of the higher temperatures involved.  Check with your plumbing professional.

Water Well

The American Heat ADK and AHS models are very adaptive to pressures up to 150 psi. Check with your plumber, water well pump distributor or plumbing supply company and use a pressure regulator on your well capable of controlling your American Heat to a continuous pressure of around 10 to 20 psi variance. Run your well to supply pressures of 45 to 55 psi or 65 to 75 psi, etc. The pump will run more often but give superior performance for your American Heat tankless heater.  Use a tight variance of less than 20 psi. Absolutely no more than 20 psi variance or you will create problems for yourself and your new American Heat tankless unit.

Sediment Filter for Well users:

It is advisable to use a sediment filter for either the whole house or in-line installation on the inlet side of your American Heat tankless heater. Treat this sediment filter like you would plastic pipe—keep it from getting hot and remove while any soldering is performed. The Sediment Filter Kit is very inexpensive ranging around $73.50. This will keep sand, debris, iron particles and debris from your installer from entering the flow switch of your tankless heater.  Damage to the flow switch can immediately limit your showering pleasure.  This is a very important tip to consider following.