Water Heaters - Dielectric Unions on Water Heaters

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AdamLPerry
04-22-05, 06:08 AM
Does anyone have any advice on the use of Dielectric Unions on a water heater? Our existing plumbing throughout the house is all copper, but the stems sticking out of the hot water heater appear to be galvanized steel. The Rheem website makes it sound like the unions are practically useless in this environement. Our local code does not specifically require and the inspectors say it is up to us.

Thank you!

Ed Imeduc
04-22-05, 06:16 AM
For sure use them there on the hot water tank. They also have a set of check valves that can go on top of the tank there so hot water dont go up in to the cold water lines if it just sets there for a time also.

ED :thinker:
Rainbird
04-24-05, 05:32 AM
Most likely the nipples are "heat saving nipples" that came with the water heater. These nipples are galvanized on the outside, but are sleeved inside with a CPVC material. Connecting to copper with this type is no problem.