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Water heater installation code requirements are in place to keep your family and home safe. Water heaters that are installed wrong can simply not work. However, that's an, if you're lucky, type of situation. More commonly, incorrectly installed water heaters pose a real threat from carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, water leaks, and even explosions. 

When wondering what size of breaker for a water heater is appropriate, the majority of hot water heaters need a 30-amp, two-pole breaker. Most residential water heaters use 240 volts and between 3,500 and 5,500 watts. If your appliance matches these measurements, a 30-amp breaker is likely perfect. Owners of point-of-use water heaters using 120 volts and between 1,500 and 3,000 watts often find that a 30-amp breaker is adequate. Water heaters that use more watts than average may need a 40-amp breaker. Smaller units that use fewer watts could potentially use a 20-amp breaker.

It is very difficult and dangerous to install your own water heater, so we strongly recommend against tackling this as a DIY project. Not only will you need to wire your water heater, but you’ll also need to connect plumbing to the intake and outlet. Sweating copper pipes and connecting wiring properly are skills most DIYers don’t have, and even if you do feel confident you can do it, working with water and electricity always leaves the potential for electrocution. Hiring a local water heater installer is well worth the investment.

The size needed for your expansion tank is determined by the size of your home's water heater. Expansion tanks are available in 2-gallon and 4.5-gallon sizes. A 2-gallon tank will be appropriate for water heaters up to 50 gallons. An adequately sized tank should have a volume that equals 2% to 5% of the water volume within the system. A plumber can evaluate your home's water pressure, water heater size, and other factors to provide suggestions for picking out the best expansion tank.