How to Install a Whirlpool 6-Gallon Hot Water Tank Inside

Install a drain pan if required by your local building codes. In the majority of locations, if the hot water heater tank will be installed on a floor other than the ground level, a drain pan will be required. Tie the drain pan into an existing floor drain, or route the drain on the side to a drainpipe using PVC tubing. Cut the PVC with a hacksaw, sand down any rough edges with sandpaper, apply primer to the edges and glue together with PVC glue.

Turn off the water supply at the main valve. Open all the faucets in the locations nearest the tank and drain the water inside.

Set the Whirlpool 6-gallon hot water tank inside the drain pan.

Connect the cold water supply pipe to the inlet on the water heater. How exactly this is done will depend on the type of plumbing that you have. With copper piping, which is the most common, install a compression kit on the end of the supply pipe to make connecting the hot water inlet easier. These kits slip over the end of a supply pipe and allow you to tie in a heater to the water system without any soldering. If needed, install a tee fitting in the middle of the pipe to hold an expansion tank. Tighten the compression fittings with a wrench. Repeat the process for the pipe supplying hot water to the rest of the house.

Turn off the power for the circuit that holds the electrical supply cable for the water heater at the main circuit breaker. Use a voltmeter to test that the supply has been cut correctly.

Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws holding the electrical panel in place. Run the electrical cable through the wiring opening and into the panel. Loosen the terminal screws with a screwdriver. Trim off the last half inch of each wire with wire strippers. Wrap the wires around the terminals with needlenose pliers and secure by tightening the screws. The white wire connects to the terminal marked "neutral," the black wire to the "live" terminal and the bare copper wire to the green colored terminal screw. Replace the electrical panel cover and secure.

Use an air pump to pump up the expansion tank to the recommended pressure. Connect the expansion tank on the cold water supply line to a tee fitting.

Turn on the main water supply and the inlet valve for the tank. After the tank fills, switch on the electrical circuit for the tank at the main circuit breaker.

Make adjustments to the thermostat as needed for a comfortable water temperature.