Bypassing the water heater.

McKisses · 11-10-2014, 11:32 AM

I have a new atco water heater on our 280 sr, there is no bypass valve on it, the back of it is tucked way under the bed behind the fresh water storage tank.
I was thinking of installing a bypass on the lines that are easily accessible under the bed, any thoughts, trying to save 6 gallons of anti freeze.

Thanks, Ian

McKisses · 11-10-2014, 11:40 AM

Sorry Atwood heater.

MACK C-85 · 11-10-2014, 01:45 PM

The only issue would be draining the lines between the bypass and the heater. If water lays in there it would freeze and break them.

McKisses · 11-10-2014, 01:58 PM

Yes I agree, luckily I have shut off valves on the back of heater on the hot and cold sides, it should be easy enough to create a by pass with 1 valve.
Thank you for you help.

MACK C-85 · 11-10-2014, 02:38 PM

I'm confused, can you reach those two tank valves easily? They would have to be closed for the bypass to work.

A three-valve bypass would have the two tank valves closed and the bypass pipe valve open. This blocks the anti-freeze from going into the tank, while allowing the antifreeze to go from the cold side to the hot side through the bypass pipe.

For normal operations, both tank valves need to be open, while the bypass valve is closed. The bypass valve needs to be closed so the cold water doesn't bypass the heater and dilute your hot water.

The newer factory installed bypasses only used one tee valve in the cold water line, a pipe to a tee in the hot water line, and a check valve in the hot water line between the tee and the tank. The check valve keeps the anti freeze from back flowing into the tank when bypassed. Only one valve to flip.

jim44646 · 11-10-2014, 04:20 PM

my T2553 is set up the same way. I have a check valve and bypass valve under bed. The mattress deck of the bed has a 6" hole cut in it right above the back of water heater. I need to slide mattress forward and reach through hole to turn bypass valve. I also found by a removing wardrobe drawer I can reach and turn bypass valve. I you don't have bypass it's not hard to install a bypass kit.

McKisses · 11-10-2014, 04:22 PM

It's under the bed, behind the fresh water tank, bit of a squeeze. I have looked at lots of pictures of by pass set ups, I am going to install 2 tees one on the hot and one on the cold and install a valve between the 2.. I will then shut of the valves on the tank with the by pass valve open for the anti freeze.