Q) I am seeking advice. I am building a new home in Charlotte, NC and I have concerns about where my water heaters have been placed.

Some details:

- My home is approx. 4500 sq ft

- There is no basement but there is an ample 5' crawl space

- There is a garage and unfinished attic

My home apparently requires two water heaters and both have been located in the attic (supported by beams only, not on floor boards)

They are on pans, but I am concerned about leakage and potential damage; there seems to be a lack of bracing in the event of earthquake, attic dust, heating efficiency, inaccessibility, etc.

Any advice on safe, efficient location would be welcomed for my family?

Garage and Utility room? Many hot water heaters are placed in the garage because homeowners do not want the worry of them bursting or rusting-out. Also the hot water heater will have to be off the floor at least 24" depending on your building codes. This is to protect you from gasoline or other flammable products spilling and the fumes causing an explosion. A utility room is not a bad place to put water heaters; the draw back being the space they take up, plus again, have to be vented outside if gas.

Attic? This is the most common place hot water heaters seem to go. The pull-down-stairs to the attic allows access. Builders should always have a catwalk built to each hot water heater for replacement and service. The attic makes it easy for venting through the roof. Plus they don't take up space in the garage or utility room if in the attic, and you don't have to worry about flammable products spilling. Lastly, in most cases, this gives you much faster hot water distribution to your plumbing fixtures.

The drawback is water damage inside your home if the unit bursts or rusts out in the attic and the pan under the hot water heater can not handle all the water at one time. Which many do not!

What's next best if in the attic? Bigger drain pans installed under the hot water heaters with high banks and extra overflow outlets to handle lots of water in case one rusts out or bursts. Should always be well supported with beams under them and I suggest plywood sub-floor under them as well, and always well braced if in earth quake areas.

What about Tankless water heaters? They are starting to get better results in the USA market; been overseas for years. Drawback is getting them serviced when you have a problem because they are not the normal hot water heaters in the marketplace, plus the "water flow rates"--Americans like lots of hot water. Also the electric Tankless units pull a lot of power. However, they don't take up any room and have steady hot water flow for as long as you need it if working properly.