Gas Water Heater Exhaust Pipe Installation

This type of venting system is different from what you see on most gas water heaters.

Gas water heater exhaust pipe installation.

Use a carpenter s level and plastic shims to level the water heater as needed. Install the water heater in an area with at least 6 inches of clearance on all sides to ensure adequate ventilation. The attached installation instructions from the manufacturer of these water heaters require a minimum vertical rise in the water heater exhaust flue as well as a proper ul listed chimney cap or termination for safe venting of combustion products. Align the water heater to ensure easy access to the burner and controls.

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 vent pipe connector must continuously run upward towards the chimney entrance rising not less than 1 4 per linear foot to provide proper draft. 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. Step 1 gas water heaters need proper venting for operation.

See the heater owner s manual for more information. It s easier to run the vent if you install a power vented type of natural gas or propane water heater. Then hold an extinguished match near the vent hood. Because the new vent pipe is smaller it can often be installed inside the old vent pipe.

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. 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. 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. 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.