Two Different Types of Water Heaters: Direct & Power Vent
- Direct Vent. Direct vent water heaters are very popular in the Northern Colorado area. ...
- Power Vent. A power vent water heater uses a fan or blower to assist in the removal of exhaust gases from the hot water heater.
- Disadvantages. A power vent water heater will cost more initially due to extra equipment needed such as the fan and blower.
How do you vent a water heater?
White Rodgers Digital Gas Valve
- Unplug Water Heater. Similar to resetting a sump pump, you’ve to start with unplugging the water heater. ...
- Plugin Water Heater. After waiting for a while, reconnect the wire to the power outlet. ...
- Hold Temperature Adjustment Buttons Together. You have to do this step immediately after plugging in the water heater. ...
- Set Code. Now, proceed with setting the code. ...
How to control power to a water heater?
Understanding Electric Water Heater Wiring
- Turning off the Power. Before you examine or touch the water heater wiring or electrical connections, turn off the power to the circuit that supplies the water heater.
- Locating the Electrical Connections. ...
- Understanding Water Heater Wiring. ...
- Heating Element Wiring. ...
- The Bonding Question. ...
What are the parts of an electric water heater?
Shop Water Heater Parts
- Locate the Model Number on your Water Heater
- Popular Water Heater DIY Articles
- Water Heater Tune-Up & Maintenance Videos
- Related Water Heater Information
How to compare power vent tank gas water heaters?
To compare the energy efficiency of power vent tank gas water heaters, look for the energy factor of each unit. The EF tells you how much of the gas consumed by each unit actually goes toward heating water, versus simply escaping through the vent. The higher the EF, the more efficient the unit and the greater the potential energy savings.
Does my water heater need a power vent?
Power direct vents are used when the space in which you are installing a water heater lacks sufficient air for combustion and requires flexibility around the installation. Consult a professional plumbing contractor to make sure that you need power direct venting before going down this installation path.
What is the advantage of a power vent water heater?
The primary advantage of a power vent is that the water heater can be located in any area and does not require a vertical vent or chimney. It could be that the location where you want to install your hot water heater is not near the chimney, or your home does not have a chimney.
Do I need a power vent for my gas water heater?
Does every water heater need ventilation? No—but as much as water heater technology has changed in recent years, combustion water heaters remain the most common. 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.
What is the difference between power vent and power direct vent water heater?
The main difference between the two is that in the direct vent water heating system, the combustion gases are released into the atmosphere via chimneys and exhaust pipes. In contrast, in the power vent system of water heaters, the combustion gases are removed using powered venting fans.
Are power vent water heaters safe?
A power vent water heater can't completely eliminate the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning from these exhaust gases, but a reliable fan system that creates effective air flow for these exhaust gases to escape your home is an important and valuable way to mitigate against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Can you put a power vent on a regular hot water heater?
Natural gas or propane hot water heaters are generally less expensive to operate than electric heaters, but installing a standard vent in a house without an existing chimney is expensive. It's easier to run the vent if you install a “power-vented” type of natural gas (or propane) water heater.
How much does it cost to replace a power vent water heater?
Power Vent Water Heater Installation Cost An installed power vent water heater averages $1,050 to $5,000. They have more moving parts and require electricity to vent. Even if you use gas to heat your water, your unit requires electricity to work.
How long does a power vent water heater last?
With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.
What is the proper way to vent a gas water heater?
There should be a minimum of 12 inches of vertical venting between the draft hood outlet and the first elbow or connecter. When using direct venting, any semi-horizontal piping should have a minimum upward slope of one quarter-inch per foot.
What is the purpose of a power vent?
“Power vent” is simply a term used to describe the way your water heater pushes out harmful combustion gases out your home. For some residences, depending on where your water heater is located, a power vent may be your only option.
How can I tell if my water heater is direct vent?
The difference in terms of venting direction: A direct vent unit directly vents out the exhaust gases vertically. Straight to your vertical vent or chimney. It's also called the standard vent water heater. Meanwhile, a power vent unit vents out the exhaust gases horizontally.
Can you vent water heater and furnace together?
Vent connectors serving equipment vented by Natural draft (typical water heater) Shall Not Be Connected Into Any Portion of Mechanical-draft systems (80% and higher efficiency gas furnaces). This Means: With Any New Furnace Installation — A Gas Water Heater Must Then Be Separately Vented.
What gases are released when a water heater is leaking?
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. Power vent systems are an excellent option for protecting the integrity of your water heater unit.
Why is hot water important?
Having access to hot water is essential for many of our day-to-day activities. From showering to washing dishes, we rely on hot water to keep ourselves, our homes, and our clothing clean. There are many different types of water heaters available, and understanding the pros and cons of each can help you make the best decision for your unique needs.
Do water heaters need an outlet?
Electricity: Power vent water heaters are required to be plugged into an outlet, which can cause the need for electrical outlet installation, driving up the cost of initial installation. Cost: Power vent systems run about 75% more expensive than other venting systems, on average.
Can a water heater backdraft?
Because of their unique construction, power vent water heaters are virtually impossible to backdraft. That means the risk for carbon monoxide problems caused by your water heater is significantly lower with a power vent water heater in place. Venting systems are necessary to prevent flue gases from accumulating in your water heater.
What is the venting system for a water heater?
All water heater venting systems use a vent duct or pipe—also called a chimney or flue— to bring exhaust gases from the water heater to the outdoors. The duct may be metal or plastic, depending on the type of vent system. Water heater ducts may lead directly outdoors, or they may tie into a larger vent duct that also serves a gas or propane furnace ...
How does a water heater work?
The system works solely through natural convection—based on the principle that hot air rises. Hot exhaust from the water heater naturally rises up through the vent and into the air outdoors, creating a draw that promotes this upward airflow. The power of the draw increases as the vent duct heats up.
How does a direct vent system work?
With a direct-vent system, air for combustion is drawn from a vent pipe that runs through an exterior wall or the roof. Exhaust gases are vented outdoors through a separate vent duct or through a separate chamber of the same pipe (this requires a double-wall vent duct). Direct-vent systems essentially "breathe" outdoor air, so they are not subject to the effects of backdrafting in the home. They also reduce the risk of accidental fires caused by flammable vapors around the water heater.
What is the process of burning a water heater?
All water heaters that burn natural gas or liquid propane (LP) gas require a venting system. The process of burning of the gas is called combustion and it creates heat, exhaust gases (including highly poisonous carbon monoxide ), and moisture. The water heater's ventilation system removes these byproducts from the home, ...
Why is my water heater venting back?
Proper Venting Prevents Backdrafting. The most common problem associated with water heater venting is a condition called backdrafting, in which exhaust gases from the water heater fail to exit the home via the vent and instead end up in the house. Backdrafting can have many causes, but it is most commonly due to poor vent design or installation ...
Where does the air come from in a propane water heater?
In addition to venting, gas and propane water heaters need an air supply for combustion. This may come from the atmospheric air in the house, or it can come through a vent pipe that pulls air from the outdoors.
What is direct vent?
Direct-vent systems essential ly "breathe" outdoor air, so they are not subject to the effects of backdrafting in the home. They also reduce the risk of accidental fires caused by flammable vapors around the water heater.
How big is a power vent water heater?
This power vent water heater has dimensions of 21 x 21 x 65 inches. The whole unit is very slim and sleek looking with an attractive grey finish. While water heaters never look that good in a home, this one can fit in quite easily.
What is a power vent?
With a power vent model, the vents exhaust horizontally out of a pipe. This does not have to be connected to the chimney and can be directed anywhere out of the building. The ‘power’ part refers to an additional fan or blower that pushes these exhaust gasses.
How does a power vent water heater differ from a direct vent water heater?
A power vent water heater differs from the older direct vent water heaters in terms of where the venting is found . Direct vent models can only be attached to your home’s chimney, where the gasses are vertically expelled from the heater. With a power vent model, the vents exhaust horizontally out of a pipe.
How many gallons does a Rheem water heater hold?
One of the first things to take note of when buying a new water heater is what kind of tank capacity it has. This Rheem model can hold 50 gallons, which is a good size for any typical residential heater.
What are the two types of water heaters?
There are two different types of vent water heaters available – power and direct . Basically, your heater will produce harmful combustion gasses which need to be pushed out of the home. The kind of venting system used is what sets these two types of heaters apart.
What is the recovery rate of a Rheem water heater?
The faster the recovery rate, the better. This Rheem heater has a rate of 32.4 to 42.4 for its 50-gallon models. This is at a 90-degree rise.
What are the benefits of a water heater?
Here are some benefits of using a water heater like this: 1 The heater does not require chimney access for venting, and can easily be positioned around the home 2 An eco-friendly water heater, and it is also economic to use in the long run 3 The water heater is easy to control 4 Maintenance and monitoring of the unit is made simple
What type of vent should I use for a water heater?
The three main water heater vent types that are used to handle flue gasses in residential water heater installations are power-vent, direct-vent, and atmospheric.
What is direct vent?
This vent type relies on a horizontal pipe system to move the by-product that goes directly through the external wall to the outside. They use a separate vent pipe to draw in fresh air and require a zero tolerance for the safe movement of the flue gasses. This vent type is more flexible in terms of venting installation than the atmospheric type while also being quieter than the power-vent.
What is the most common ventilation system in a home?
The atmospheric ventilation system is the most common system used in residential homes. The system makes use of the natural atmospheric movements to filter the flue gasses up and out of the combustion area. These heaters make use of a metal pipe affixed vertically to the main body of the water heater. The flue gasses make their way up the pipe, which extends to the outside of the home. This unit is popular due to its inherent low cost of installation and operation, as well as the low up-front cost of the unit itself.
What is a separate vent pipe?
They use a separate vent pipe to draw in fresh air and require a zero tolerance for the safe movement of the flue gasses. This vent type is more flexible in terms of venting installation than the atmospheric type while also being quieter than the power-vent.
Can you change the vent type on a water heater?
In some cases, the type of vent is already established and cannot be changed. In other circumstances, like a remodel, it may require a change in your water heater vent type. Often people do not realize that the vent to their water heater is not only an essential part of their home plumbing system, but also that there are several options available.
Do gas water heaters need vents?
Every gas powered water heater requires a ventilation system to filter out the byproducts, or flue gasses, generated during use. Not only does the water heater vent system safely filter out these gasses, it also pulls in fresh air from the outside so the process of combustion can be maintained.
What is a power vent water heater?
A power vent water heater uses a fan or blower to assist in the removal of exhaust gases from the hot water heater. If the water heater is installed in a location that doesn’t have access to a vertical vent or chimney, a power vent water heater may be your only option.
What is the difference between a direct vent and a power vent water heater?
The difference between the two water heater types is combusted from the burner to the vent system. A direct vent water heater vents these combustion gases to the atmosphere, while a power vent water heater removes them with the aid of a powered venting fan.
Why is a water heater venting so expensive?
Disadvantages. A power vent water heater will cost more initially due to extra equipment needed such as the fan and blower. Also, you will need to run a power line to the fan which will also add to the cost.
Where are direct vent water heaters popular?
Direct vent water heaters are very popular in the Northern Colorado area. In a direct vent water heater, fuel is burned and the heat from the combustion process is used to heat the water. The exhaust gases are then transferred to the outside of the home via the exhaust pipe or chimney.
Does a water heater need electricity?
Another downside to this is that the blower portion of the water heater will need electricity to operate and will increase your hot water heating costs throughout its lifetime. Finally, it is known for some people to complain about the sound of the fan running when the hot water heater is operating.
Can you vent a water heater to the outside?
If there is no chimney available, horizontally venting the water heater to the outside through inexpensive venting pipe instead will also benefit the homeowner by saving money. This type of water heater is more common in certain areas of Northern Colorado such as Loveland, Fort Collins, and Longmont areas.
How does a Direct Vent Water Heater work?
Direct Vent Water Heaters are gas-powered machines. They use gas to generate heat, which in turn warms up your water quickly.
Direct Vent Vs. Power Vent Water Heaters
To distinguish between the two types of water heaters, we first need to understand how a Power Vent Water Heater functions.
Pros and Cons of using Direct Vent Water Heaters
Using Direct Vent Water Heaters instead of some other product has pros and cons both. These advantages and disadvantages are structural and functional in nature.
Does a direct vent water heater need a chimney?
Like we said before, the direct vent water heater is a relatively simple mechanical structure that needs a clear upwards path to clear all exhaust gases.
How much does a direct vent water heater cost?
You can get your hands on a top-notch direct vent water heater for approximately $700-1000. The price range can fluctuate a little according to the market, and buying additional features along with the heating system can raise costs.
When do you need a direct vent water heater?
There is no specific demographic checklist that needs to be satisfied to require a direct vent heater.
Conclusion
A direct vent water heater is a fundamental and straightforward system that most households can easily use. It uses basic principles of science and generates heat.
What is a good power vent water heater?
Only the best power vent water heater can give you peace of mind whenever you have your system running in your home. It effectively expels dangerous combustion byproducts or flues into the outside of your home, ensuring your family will never have to deal with serious health problems. Choosing the right power vent water heater can also improve your energy expenditure.
How does a direct vent water heater work?
On the other hand, a direct vent water heater hinges on the natural tendency of hot air to move upwards.
What is the best gas water heater?
If you want the best power vented gas water heater for your home, the AO Smith GPVL-50 ProMax is the one to get. This appliance offers exceptional cost savings, reliable and safe operation, and a hot water output few brands can ever come close to matching.
How much thermal efficiency does a water heater have?
Its 96% thermal efficiency will also blow your mind. Most products can only provide a thermal efficiency of about 80 to 90 percent. Its efficiency rating further validates its quick-heating performance without putting a dent in your energy bills.
How much hot water can a 50 gallon system hold?
Most 50-gallon systems can only recover about 60 to 65 gallons of hot water per hour. This baby can recover an astonishing 92 gallons per hour. You will never complain of not having sufficient hot water in your household, even if you have three people showering simultaneously.
Do you have to have a high first hour rating for a water heater?
As a rule, you should always choose a power vent water heater with a high first-hour rating. It reassures you of more hot water during the first hour of use after complete water heating. Remember, your water heater tank continuously receives cold water. Recovery Rate.
Does a water heater use electricity?
Your power vent water heater does not only use natural gas or propane gas. It also uses electricity to power its blower/fan mechanism. That is why it is also essential to determine the blower’s power rating. You may be saving money from your gas expenditure, but not on the electricity required to run the blower.
