Gas Water Heater Chimney Requirements

Some installation might be a significant challenge or even become impossible due to a water heater height and chimney flue.

Gas water heater chimney requirements.

Proper furnace water heater venting is an extremely important issue which depends on the performance of the house chimney chimney flue or other exhaust assemblies. All water heaters that burn natural gas or liquid propane lp gas require a venting system. With a replacement high efficiency furnace the existing vent pipe does not work for water heater only because the vent is too large. Electrical even gas water heaters have electrical parts and need to be hooked up to your breaker box.

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 making it a critical safety feature. 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. The photo below shows typical combined furnace water heater venting. Natural draft gas water heater vent pipe pitch.

When installed correctly this venting arrangement works with an 80 gas furnace or lower than 80 gas water heater. For safety water heaters must be vented using a listed and approved venting system that provides adequate size height and draft. Gas water heater vent pipe connector must continuously run upward towards the chimney entrance rising not less than 1 4 per linear foot to provide proper draft. The conditions explained in this post also apply to the wood burning appliances.

Consequences of improperly assembled vent pipes problematic chimney flue deteriorating chimney walls can be sometimes fatal fire and carbon. These questions answers about codes standards for venting gas fired water heaters were posted originally at gas fired water heater venting be sure to review the codes and standards given there. Code expert glenn mathewson describes 10 common water heater code issues including confusion about drip pans and drains unsupported expansion tanks and plastic vents lack of combustion air and more. 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.

Carpentry although you won t be working with wood you need to be familiar with levels to ensure a level base and may need to anchor pipes to ceiling beams. The blower pushes the exhaust and excess heat through the exhaust venting.