Gas Water Heater Exhaust Pipe Installation

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.

Gas water heater exhaust pipe installation.

Align the water heater to ensure easy access to the burner and controls. Install the water heater in an area with at least 6 inches of clearance on all sides to ensure adequate ventilation. There are grave liabilities and risks involved in violating basic mechanical and safety standards. This type of venting system is different from what you see on most gas water heaters.

It s easier to run the vent if you install a power vented type of natural gas or propane water heater. Typically if the existing vent that served both furnace water heater is larger than 4 inches a smaller vent pipe must be installed to serve only the water heater. Then hold an extinguished match near the vent hood. Connect the flue hat to the.

Some installation might be a significant challenge or even become impossible due to a water heater height and chimney flue connection level in those cases induced draft motor equipped water heater should be considered. Tie in new hot and cold water lines to the existing water lines with copper pipe and run the lines to the new water heater. Use a carpenter s level and plastic shims to level the water heater as needed. Because the new vent pipe is smaller it can often be installed inside the old vent pipe.

See the heater owner s manual for more information. If your water system has a check valve or anti siphon valve on the supply line an expansion tank near the cold intake to the heater will likely be necessary. Step 1 gas water heaters need proper venting for operation. 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.