Smaller compact hot water heaters have become increasingly popular over the years, especially as they have plenty of benefits over the more traditional natural gas units. One of the best mobile home hot water heater designs on the market is the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K and for a good reason.

Not only is it designed to fit into compact spaces, but it can also give you access to constant hot water whenever it’s needed.

If you’ve been looking for a compact mobile home hot water heater that can easily be installed without the help of professionals, this is one of the best models to take into consideration.

Reliance 6 20 SOMS K – The Perfect Mobile Home Hot Water Heater

 

 

 

 

Design

The first thing you’ll notice about the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K is how it offers a user-friendly design that is easy to install. It is built to be smaller than most electric water heaters. The difference between a mobile home water heater and regular water heater is the size.

It’s designed to fit and install relatively anywhere in your home without having to make space in storage closets or wherever your water hookup is located.

The Reliance 6 20 SOMS K is also the perfect option for most households because it’s far safer than other water heaters on the market, especially gas models. You won’t have to worry about gas leaks which could lead to dangerous situations, such as explosions.

With all the safeguard features integrated into its design, there’s less chance of dealing with electric shock, which also helps to make it ideal for households with small children and pets.

Less Space Required

You’ll also appreciate how easy it is to find space for your new mobile home hot water heater, as you won’t have to worry about having up to 18” of ventilation space around the tank for fear of a buildup of gas.

Dimensions

With this models small body size of 18.8 x 33.5 x 33.5 inches, you can even mount it under the sink or in a crawl space, allowing you to make the most out of the spare space in your home.

Above all else, the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K is designed to outlast other models that you might come across. With far fewer parts and a smaller amount of heat distribution, your electric water heater could very well outlast the amount of time that you live in your home.

Who Is This Reliance Water Heater Designed For?

Anyone who has been looking for a more reliable solution for producing hot water you will undoubtedly benefit from installing the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K. You will likely be able to install it easily on your own.

However, if you find that you need to hire a professional, it will cost far less for installation than a gas powered heater.

Also, because it requires fewer parts than your existing unit, you won’t have to worry about allocating a large budget towards having it installed.

Glass Lined Tank

You’ll also appreciate how the Reliance hot water heater tank is lined entirely with glass to fight against corrosion over the years. Also, the integrated anode rod helps to preserve the lifespan of your tank by years after it’s installed.

If you’re the type of person that prefers to handle things around the house on your own, this is one of the best options for you. Why? Because the water inlet and outlet are both easy to access and mounted conveniently on the side of the unit.

Additionally, you won’t have to worry about navigating a huge tank into a mobile home storage closet, as the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K water heater is more compact than you might realize.

Overview of Features

As you can likely tell, there are plenty of phenomenal attributes featured in the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K, including:

• Side-Mounted Inlets

Located on the side of the tank, you’ll notice the cold-water inlet and the hot water inlet are incredibly easy to access. This is ideal for simple installation, not to mention that the side mounting also helps to conserve space. This model also has a lower side mounted drain valve making it very easy to drain, and has factory installed temperature and pressure relief valves.

• 20-Gallon Tank

Equipped with a 20-gallon tank, this model is ideal for smaller sized houses, mobile homes, apartments, camps. Instead of having to rely on a large gas unit that is going to take up valuable space on your property. For most small families and single individuals, 20 gallons of heated water is more than enough, and it helps you to keep your water usage at a reasonable level. It has a continuous hot water flow rate up to 10 gallons per minute.

• Powered by Electricity

In comparison to gas, which can cost an absurd amount of money at the end of the month and that is relatively dangerous to have in your home, you’ll finally have an electrically powered unit. This means you won’t have to worry about gas leaks or finding enough space for the gas to ventilate out of the unit as it is being used, helping you to have the peace of mind you deserve while you’re at home.

• Glass Lined Interior and Anode Rod

Corrosion is one of the most common reasons as to why homeowners find themselves replacing their old electric water heaters for newer models. With the help of the glass lined interior, you won’t have to worry about the buildup of rust, helping to keep your unit brand new for years. Also, the included anode rod helps to add another layer of rust protection so that you can make the most out of your investment.

• Easy Installation

When you’re putting in the unit yourself, all of the Reliance water heater parts are included and you won’t have to worry about buying any extra tools as you’ll likely have everything that you need around your home. For a quick installation, all you need are wire screws, a screwdriver, and a pipe wrench.

• Energy Efficient

Due to its smaller size when compared to other models, you can guarantee that the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K is energy efficient, which is what makes it the perfect hot water heater for Rv, mobile homes and even cottages. Your electricity bills will be substantially lower, helping you to save more money on your energy bills.

Installation Steps

Installing is simple enough for people with little experience, all you have to do is follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Plumbing

First, you’re going to need to prepare the plumbing pipes that will be attached to the unit. If you have copper piping, you’ll need to use a sandpaper cloth to buff the material until it is shiny.

Step 2: Connecting the Electrical Wires

Ensure that the power is off, though it should already be turned off if you removed your existing unit. You’ll now want to attach the ground wire of the new tank to the ground screw in the junction box. Then with caution proceed to connect remaining wires.

Step 3: Connecting the Supply Lines

Once you have prepared the plumbing and completed the electrical wires (always make sure you refer to your installation instructions), it’s time to connect the supply lines. Ensure that you’re connecting the cold pipe to the cold inlet and the hot pipe to the hot outlet.

Now, it’s time to use the flexible hoses and attach them to the water heater, paying special attention if there are any leaks. If there aren’t any leaks, allow the unit to fill entirely with water.

Step 4: Installing the Discharge Pipes

You’re now going to want to attach the temperature and pressure discharge pipe, making sure that you connect the pipes where no water will leak while the tank is in use.

Step 5: Bleeding the Lines and Turning on the Power

Before turning on the power of your tank, it’s important that you let it fill completely; otherwise, you could start a dry fire, ruining the water heater element used for heating the water. Once it has been filled, you can turn the circuit breaker back on, open the water valve and allow the hot tap water to run for a few minutes until it has a constant flow. Ensure that you set the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and wait until the water is fully heated before showering.

Alternative

Another great option to take into consideration when you’re planning to purchase a new mobile home hot water heater is the EcoSmart ECO since it’s a tankless electric water heater with plenty of interesting features.

The technology inside of the EcoSmart ECO 11 is what sets it apart from the competition as it offers patented self modulating technology that helps you to save up to 60% of your water heating costs. You’ll also receive an on-board digital temperature control that has one-degree increments, which the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K does not have.

Also, you’re going to find that the EcoSmart water heater is far more space efficient, as it’s entirely a tankless water heater and depending on the space you have, this may be a far more preferable option.

Verdict

Ideal for smaller homes and mobile homes, the Reliance 6 20 SOMS K electric is one of the best options for having a regular source of water for showers and washing dishes.

If you’re looking for an electric type that can be installed as a mobile home hot water heater, this model will be a great choice. It can be located in smaller areas such as a crawl space or under your sink.

This is one of the better models due to its easy installation and straightforward design. If you are in need of a 30 gallon or even a 60 gallon water heater or larger check out other models.

Available at an affordable price with reviews of 4 out of 5 stars, this compact model could easily help you save money on your water heating costs throughout the year. Plus this Reliance model comes with a six year warranty. Check it out today.

Related Article:

Reliance 6 gallon Compact Electric Water Heater

Difference Between a Regular Water Heater and One for a Mobile Home