Mixing Valve Subassembly and Water Heater Including Same

An assembly for a water heater, the assembly comprising:

• an outer shell configured to enclose a tank of the water heater, the outer shell comprising:
• a jacket configured to surround the tank;
• and
• a top pan disposed at a top of the jacket and configured to extend over the tank;
• and
• a mixing valve assembly disposed at least partially within the outer shell, the mixing valve assembly comprising:
• a cold water connector configured to fluidly connect to a first tubular portion of a cold water inlet of the water heater;
• a hot water connector configured to fluidly connect to a second tubular portion of a hot water outlet of the water heater;
• and
• a tube extending between and fluidly connecting the cold water connector and the hot water connector, wherein the tube is disposed within the outer shell and underneath the top pan, wherein the tube is at least partially surrounded by insulation.