Where to install expansion tank

To MACPLUMB, Redwood and anyone else who wants to chime in.

As per your recommendations, I have included a picture of my existing water heater cold water inlet. I am going to add an expansion tank as required and recommended by everyone here.



The distance from the water heater to the shut-off is only 7". I have an additional 5" above the shut-off before it meets a tee.

I'm thinking of a using a loop back which means the expansion tank would hang below the lower pipe in the loop.

Is there a better way?

Thanks in advance
John

Thinking about it again, I'm pretty sure it would be better to mount the tank on the top of the loop.
Let me know which would work best.

John

Technically, the expansion tank should be between the tank and the cold water shutoff.

Jim,

I know from reading posts here that that is the preferred method. I'm just wondering how best to make that happen.

John

You've got enough room to put a T in there. You need to support the thing, as when it fails, it will get heavy.

TECHNICALLY, the tank can go anywhere in your plumbing system. PREFERABLY, it goes between the valve and the tank, but only so it would do its job even if you were to turn off the water supply to the heater WHILE the burner was operating. You can mount it anywhere and/or any way, you wish to, or can. The tank mounting is omnidirectional so it can hang down, stand upright, or stick out sideways in any direction.

Thanks guys,

I just picked up a Watts ETX-15 which is the 2.1 gallon model expansion tank. My water pressure (70 psi) and WH capacity (50 gallon) puts this at the upper end for the 2.1 gallon but I think it should be OK.

I will put it in on Saturday.

I'll let you know how it goes.
John