Do all gas water heaters need to be vented?
Not all A. O. Smith water heaters require venting within your home, but if you have a gas water heater that does require venting it's necessary to utilize the correct venting material. Choosing the correct venting will help ensure your water heater operates safely and efficiently.
What happens if you don't vent a gas water heater properly?
Failure to properly vent a gas-fueled water heater can result in severe injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning. The vent system must be installed by a qualified person. Examples of a qualified person include gas technicians, authorized gas company personnel, and authorized service technicians.
How do you vent a gas fired water heater?
Illustrations of proper gas fired water heater venting using Type B- double wall vent pipe through a roof (above) or through a chimney (below) include details for the flue vent connector such as the requirement of a minimum vent connector upwards slope of 1/4" per foot of horizontal run.
Can you vent a gas water heater into a chimney?
**IF** the gas fired water heater is already venting into a chimney flue that is big, and perhaps sometimes cold (as in old buildings) and perhaps tall, THEN the heater may have trouble venting under all weather conditions, risking back-drafting and carbon monoxide poisoning hazards in the building.
How do you vent a natural gas water heater?
0:022:26Hot Water Heaters : How to Properly Vent a Gas Water Heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHas a six inch clearance which means you have to cut a much wider hole around it for its safety andMoreHas a six inch clearance which means you have to cut a much wider hole around it for its safety and for what it is you can use single wall vent pipe in applications.
What is code for gas water heater vent?
The water heater must be vented in accordance with the section “Venting of Equipment" of the latest edition of the National Fuel Gas Code: ANSI Z223. 1/NFPA 54 in the United States and/or Section 7 of the CAN/CSA B149. 1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code in Canada, as well as applicable local building codes.
Do you have to vent a water heater?
In the US, it's required by code to have an exhaust vent, or flue, connected to the top of the water heater. That flue has to take the exhaust gases up and out of the house. This type of water heater is called a “natural draft” water heater because it removes the exhaust gases without assistance by a fan.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas water heater?
Home furnaces and water heaters are a major source of carbon monoxide poisoning, usually from poorly vented fuel sources or leaking vent pipes.
Does a water heater have to vent through the roof?
3:5020:09Water Heater Needs Venting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis will be sealed up on top to prevent water from coming down into the on the sides of the flueMoreThis will be sealed up on top to prevent water from coming down into the on the sides of the flue pipe. Itself.
Can a gas water heater be vented out the side of the house?
With direct vent installations, there is a sealed combustion chamber and a flue pipe. They can vent separately or together through a double-wall pipe. Compared to atmospheric, direct-vent water heaters offer more installation flexibility because they can vent horizontally.
What happens if a water heater is not vented properly?
A vent connector is the thing that takes the exhaust gases from the top of the water heater (draft hood) to the vent. If a vent connector isn't properly installed, the potential for the water heater to backdraft increases.
Why do I need a power vent on my gas water heater?
Venting systems are necessary to prevent flue gases from accumulating in your water heater. These gases largely consist of water vapor and carbon dioxide. The vapor becomes acidic and needs to be released in order to relieve combustion pressure and prevent the water heater from exploding.
How safe are gas water heaters?
If you have a gas water heater and the burner doesn't shut off, excess gas can build up in your home. A single spark can damage or destroy your home. A faulty gas water heater also has the potential to release carbon monoxide into the home. This odorless gas is virtually undetectable to humans.
Is it normal to smell gas water heater?
If you smell gas near the water heater, it could mean you have a leak. In an emergency, gas can be turned off at the main service shutoff valve, normally located near your gas meter, by using a 12-to-15-inch adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench.
Can you put a gas water heater in a closet?
Yes, a gas water heater can be installed in a closet as long as the closet is not used for storage. The International Residential Code (IRC) specifically bans a storage closet as a location for a gas water heater.
How can I tell if my water heater is leaking carbon monoxide?
0:192:09How to check your water heater for a carbon monoxide leak - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd they say this is usually what is the standard gas. Water here that will be inside your home if aMoreAnd they say this is usually what is the standard gas. Water here that will be inside your home if a carbon monoxide leak is in a water heater like this experts say it's typically.
Why do water heaters need an exhaust vent?
Since gas water heaters use an open flame, keep combustible materials such as paint cans away from the unit.
How does a water heater vent work?
A water heater using atmospheric venting or direct venting will allow the fumes to exhaust naturally by rising straight up through a vertical vent which is routed to the home’s chimney, or through an upward sloping vent which may be routed through the chimney or through a wall to the home’s exterior. In both cases, the water heater needs ...
What is a power vent blower fan?
On some gas water heater models, a power vent blower fan will be used to draw the exhaust fumes through the flue. Power venting water heaters are considered more energy-efficient than a standard direct vent system and are more effective at preventing back draft air from entering the water heater. Because the power vent uses a fan motor to draw ...
Why is the water heater vent horizontal?
Because the power vent uses a fan motor to draw the exhaust fumes through the flue, the venting can be longer and more horizontal which will give you more location options for installing the water heater.
What will happen to water heaters in 2021?
Similar to a furnace, water heaters with gas burners will generate harmful fumes containing carbon monoxide, a byproduct of the fuel used to ignite the burn er to heat the water in the tank, whether that fuel is natural gas, oil, or propane.
Can a water heater be installed in a small enclosed space?
For this reason, water heaters with a power vent should not be installed in small, enclosed spaces. If space restrictions require the water heater ...
Do you need a UL listed chimney vent cap?
When venting through a chimney, a UL listed chimney or vent cap must be used at the termination point.
Why vent a gas water heater?
The purpose of venting a gas or oil-fired water heater is to completely remove all products of combustion and to vent gasses to the outside air without condensation in the vent or spillage at the draft hood (except in cases of downdraft or poor stack conditions).
What happens if you don't vent a water heater?
Failure to properly vent a gas-fueled water heater can result in severe injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning. The vent system must be installed by a qualified person. Examples of a qualified person include gas technicians, authorized gas company personnel, and authorized service technicians.
How much clearance do you need for a gas water heater?
Clearance to combustibles: for gas fired water heater vents: 6" minimum clearance from single-wall vent pipe or flue-vent connector to any combustible material. Single wall vent pipes cannot pass through a ceiling, floor, firewall, or wall.
What is a type L vent?
Type “L” vent is double walled vent. Type “L” is stainless lined and used for oil and Power Gas heaters. Type “B”, due to its temperature rating, can only be used with atmospheric gas water heaters. All venting installations must conform with local codes.
Can a condensing heater vent directly out?
A condensing or high efficiency heater that vents directly out through a side wall might use P VC vent materials as approved by the manufacturer, but none of those vents that I have seen or installed are shared ; further, there is a required separation distance between them.
Is it dangerous to vent a water heater?
Venting a gas water heater inside of an enclosure is dangerous, could kill someone, and even if nobody is inside the en closure to be killed, risks improper and unsafe operation, inadequate combustion air, production of fatal carbon monoxide, and perhaps other hazards.
Can a heater vent be too cold?
Watch out: Even if you don' t face a fire hazard, a single wall vent might, for some heaters, be too cold and thus the heater might not vent properly in some climates/locations.
How does a power vent work on a water heater?
Smith power vent gas water heaters are equipped with an electric blower fan that is installed on top of the water heater, which requires an electrical outlet to be close to the water heater. The blower pushes the exhaust and excess heat through the exhaust venting. The venting can run either vertically or horizontally with a longer line to help with space and sizing issues within your home, which makes power vent water heaters more flexible to install.#N#Power vents are a more efficient option, as they are designed to utilize heat from the exhaust to heat water for energy savings. Thanks to lower exhaust temperatures they allow for PVC piping, which is a less expensive solution than a standard atmospheric vent metal piping and easier to assemble. We recommend that you consult a professional plumbing contractor for installation.
What is a direct vent water heater?
Direct vent gas water heaters are a type of gas water heater best suited for use when there is insufficient ventilation within the installation space in your home. A direct vent water heater draws air for combustion from outside your home rather than inside. The exhaust gases and excess heat produced by your water heater are then vented back ...
What is a power direct vent?
Much like direct venting, power direct venting uses a blower to pull in air from outside your home for combustion and funnels it directly to your water heater. The same blower is also used to release the combustion exhaust gases back outside of your home. Similar to the power vent design, a power direct vent water heater can utilize PVC piping ...
How does an atmospheric vent work?
Atmospheric venting works on the principle of hot air rising. The venting must be vertical or upward sloping so that the hot exhaust rises up through the venting to exit your home. Making sure that your home has a properly working vent system is imperative when installing a standard atmospheric vent with your water heater.
What is the most common type of gas water heater?
Standard atmospheric water heaters are the most common type of residential gas water heaters . Atmospheric gas water heaters vent their exhaust through a vertical or upward sloping metal duct vent to exit the home.
Why are power vents so efficient?
Power vents are a more efficient option, as they are designed to utilize heat from the exhaust to heat water for energy savings. Thanks to lower exhaust temperatures they allow for PVC piping, which is a less expensive solution than a standard atmospheric vent metal piping and easier to assemble.
Can a direct vent water heater be used as an outlet?
Similar to the power vent design, a power direct vent water heater can utilize PVC piping to reduce installation costs. It is important to note that they also require an electrical outlet near the water heater for installation.
How does an atmospheric water heater vent work?
What this means is that because of its buoyancy, the exhaust will escape through a vertical pipe , often into a chimney where it can then leave the home for good. The air used for combustion draws from the atmosphere inside of the house (or garage). Atmospheric is the most common gas water heater venting option. The main problem with atmospheric vent systems is that they are susceptible to back drafts (more on that later).
Why is my water heater venting back drafting?
One problem you need to avoid is back-drafting. You see this most commonly with atmospheric configurations, and it means that your exhaust isn't leaving the home. Back-drafting is usually the result of an inadequate vent design. Look for the signs: Corrosion at the top of the water heater.
How much clearance do I need for a B vent chimney?
Typically, B-Vent chimney pipe requires 1" clearance, but there is zero-clearance pipe available. For a single-wall pipe, you need 6" clearance, and you cannot pass it through a ceiling, floor, or wall unless it's masonry or concrete (non-combustible).
How to isolate a water heater?
Isolate the water heater by closing doors and windows, shutting off the furnace, and letting the water heater run solo. If you feel warm air near the draft hood, then your system is back-drafting.
What is the trick to ventilation?
The trick is to provide the right amount of size, height, and draft in your ventilation . Here a list of some bare minimum requisites but do not accept this as comprehensive. You will need to review all local and state codes that apply to you and observe them.
What are the two components of a water heater?
Because the exhaust includes carbon dioxide, it must vent outside. Here are your three options: Atmospheric vent. Power vent. Direct vent.
Can you vent a tankless water heater with a chimney?
You can install this type in homes with no chimney. Whether or not you have a tank or tankless water heater, you need to vent with stainless steel or metal pipe because of the high temperatures. The only way to avoid this is with a condensing unit, which will allow you to vent with PVC.
Gas Water Heaters
Like anything that is powered by gas, a gas water heater needs to be vented. It relies on gas combustion and creates emissions that cannot just linger in your home, or they could cause serious health problems and even death. Therefore, it is vitally important that your gas water heater is properly vented.
Types of Water Heater Vents
There are three types of water heater vents that your plumbing professional can choose from. Which they choose will largely depend on the layout of your home, which type of vent your last water heater had, and the instructions from the water heater manufacturer. The options include:
What About Electric Water Heaters?
Electric water heaters do not require ventilation, as they do not create emissions or by-products of combustion. This makes them an ideal choice in homes where the ventilation process is daunting. Perhaps you would need to drill through a tough material to vent your water heater.
What About Outdoor Water Heaters?
When space in your home is a problem, you can use an outdoor water heater. These do not need ventilation even if they are gas-powered.
How does a water heater work?
The difference is that a power vent water heater pulls in combustion air from the space around the appliance, then uses a fan to propel the exhaust through the vent. A direct vent system pulls in air from outside and then vents the exhaust through a horizontal pipe.
What is the difference between a direct vent and a power vent?
Direct venting and power venting systems offer greater flexibility, because neither requires a direct line to the roof. Instead, both systems typically expel exhaust through a pipe that runs outside through an exterior wall. The difference is that a power vent water heater pulls in combustion air from the space around the appliance, ...
What is atmospheric venting?
Atmospheric venting refers to a system in which exhaust from the water heater naturally rises out of the appliance’s combustion chamber, then travels up through a standard, chimney-style flue that terminates on the roof. Unlike some other types of ventilation, the atmospheric variety doesn’t call for the inclusion of a motorized fan, ...
Is a water heater dangerous?
That is, the average water heater still burns fuel—be it natural gas, oil, or propane—and that fuel burning releases byproducts like carbon monoxide. Without proper ventilation of the noxious gases created by combustion, modern water heating would be a dangerous proposition.
Do you give thought to a water heater?
When a home’s plumbing system is operating problem-free, homeowners rarely give any thought to the water heater. It’s a much different story when this vital appliance malfunctions, interfering with all those essential daily activities that require a ready supply of hot water.
Can I replace a water heater with a vent?
If your current water heater requires venting, and most do, then it’s usually cheapest to go with a replacement unit that vents the same way. Otherwise, you’ll probably end up paying more than strictly necessary for installation.
