Shut down the water supply first before working with the connection.
Water heater to pex.
Step 1 shut down the water supply.
With the home run system you install a manifold in the utility room or some area that s close to the main water line and water heater and run a separate pex tube to each fixture as shown above.
Pex does not corrode which can happen with both copper and steel pipes leading to leaks and contamination of the water supply.
Sharkbite u3068flex18bvlf flexible water heater connector with ball valve 1 2 inch x 3 4 inch fip push to connect copper pex cpvc braided stainless steel 4 7 out of 5 stars 56 27 25 27.
Away from the water heater and 6 in.
It is so much easier than using copper to join a water heater to pex pipe.
Although this was hooked up without soldering this will have to be addressed down the road.
But i am thinking since this is a high efficiency with an induced fan that it not necessary.
One at the manifold and another at the fixture end.
According to the irc you must have 18 inch clearance from the top of the water heater to your pex connection.
And stay well clear of furnace flues wood burning stove pipes and any other item that gets hot.
Away from single wall flues on gas water heaters.
Step 4 prepare the pex tubing.
Pex is plastic and plastic melts.
This system uses more tubing but is fast and only requires two connections.
When you want to connect pex to a water heater but need an 18 inch separation then use this.
Step 3 solder the copper stub to the water heater.
So keep your pex pipes away from hot stuff.
Codes commonly require pex to be at least 18 in.
Water flows silently through pex eliminating the water hammer.