How to Install a Hot Water Dispenser

An instant hot water dispenser can be a time saver in the kitchen, especially if your water heater is situated far away from the kitchen. If you have already completed several jobs around the house, consider installing a tankless heater yourself. The installation can be completed in a single afternoon if you possess the correct tools and general knowledge.

This project is for someone with advanced home improvement skills. The installation a tankless heater requires drilling through your sink and some basic plumbing. Also keep in mind that you will need an under the sink GFCI outlet to power the tankless dispenser. If you do not have one, call an electrician. Only attempt to add an outlet yourself for the tankless heater if you have advanced electrical knowledge.

To begin the installation you must drill a hole through the sink and down to the cabinet space below. Pick a spot to drill that will leave you clearance underneath the sink to finish the installation and is appropriately centered and spaced in the sink deck space. Check the hot water dispenser’s instructions for the appropriately sized hole.

Starting from the sink side, and using a stainless steel boring bit, carefully drill through the sink and countertop at the spot you have chosen. Do not attempt to push the bit through the sink, instead, allow the drill and bit to do most of the work. Go slowly, especially if you are not used to drilling through metal.

After the hole has been drilled, fit the dispenser assembly into place according to the instructions that came with your tankless heater. Be sure to thread the dispenser hose through the hole before beginning. To secure, attach the washer and mounting nut over the rod.

Now you should mount the hot water dispenser unit underneath the sink. Choose a spot that will be close enough to both the dispenser and outlet. Also check for any clearance issues, some manufacturers will want the tankless heater installed a certain distance from the sides of the cabinetry.

After you have chosen a spot, attach the mounting brackets to secure the tankless heater. Before drilling, make sure that the brackets that will hold the tankless water heater are level. Once the brackets are secure, you can then secure the tankless heater onto the brackets.

For the installation, you will need a saddle valve which allows you to divert water to your unit without extensive plumbing or cutting any existing pipe. Using the saddle valve on the cold water line, find a spot on the pipe that is close enough to the dispenser unit.

Once you have decided on the location of the valve, you need to only tighten the valve into place by rotating clockwise. Within the saddle valve, a small bit will piece a hole into the pipe to provide water for the dispenser attached to the tankless heater.

With the saddle valve installed, connect the supply line from the dispenser to the saddle valve. You should use a compression washer and nut for this step. Before tightening the connection with a wrench, hand tighten, making sure the connection is square and applied properly. Then you can use the wrench to tighten the connection further. Do not over tighten, the connection should still come apart with a twist of the wrench.

Make sure the other end of the dispenser is secured to the dispenser. Now you should open the saddle valve, turn on the water, and check for leaks. If no leaks are present, you should turn on the tap at the sink until the water flows properly. This purges the air out of the line.

After the air is purged, plug in the hot water dispenser to the GCFI socket. You may have to wait a small amount of time for the tankless heater to fully produce hot water before testing. Some units allow you to specify the temperature of the hot water, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to complete this step.