Gas Water Heater Vent Pipe Installation

Before properly venting a gas water heater it s important to determine if there is a proper natural draw.

Gas water heater vent pipe installation.

Discover the differences between single wall vents. Check the installation manual for the recommended diameter vent pipe for your new 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.

Never use a reducer even if the hood s opening is smaller than the vent pipe. The vent system for a gas fired water heater must be installed according to local and state codes or in the absence of local or state codes the current edition of. The national fuel gas code ansi z223 1 nfpa 54 link to 2012 edition. The size in gallons of the water heater.

The duct may be metal or plastic depending on the type of vent system. Step 1 gas water heaters need proper venting for operation. Snap the new draft hood onto the water heater and secure it with sheet metal screws. A direct vent system pulls in air from outside and then vents the exhaust through a horizontal pipe.

This difference in operation means that you can install a direct vent system almost anywhere. 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. 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. No vent damper installation is compatible with this direct vent water heater design.

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. Atmospheric venting works on the principle of hot air rising. Because the new vent pipe is smaller it can often be installed inside the old vent pipe. No vent damper whether it is operated thermally or otherwise is to be installed on this direct vent water heater.

Alteration of any part of the factory furnished vent assembly could result in improper operation due to. Use the manufacturer provided draft hood. Connect the vent pipe to the hood with sheet metal screws. Water heater ducts may lead directly outdoors or they may tie into a larger vent duct that also serves a gas or propane furnace or boiler in the home.