Must Use Electricity: The blower in power vent water heaters must be attached to an electrical source to run. Depending on where your water heater will be located, you may have to install an extra electrical outlet nearby, which is another cost factor.

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. A direct vent system pulls in air from outside and then vents the exhaust through a horizontal pipe.

Direct vent (two-pipe) vent system – This system uses one pipe to bring in outside air for combustion and another to remove exhaust gases. Non-direct (single-pipe) vent system – This system uses only one pipe to remove exhaust gases.

With direct vent installations, there is a sealed combustion chamber and a flue pipe. They can vent separately or together through a double-wall pipe. Compared to atmospheric, direct-vent water heaters offer more installation flexibility because they can vent horizontally.

Vent termination must not be within 4 feet of any items such as gas meters, gas valves or other gas regulating equipment. Obstructed or deteriorated vent systems may present a serious health risk or asphyxiation.

Most direct vent gas fireplaces are vented to the outdoors horizontally (through the wall), but they can also be routed vertically (through the roof). Direct vent gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts produce highly efficient heat in a broad range of sizes and can be installed almost anywhere in the home.

Highlights of Gas Heater Vent Clearance Distances The vent terminal shall be at least 12-inches below, 12-inches horizontally from, or 12-inches above, any door, window, or gravity air inlet into a building. The bottom of the vent terminal shall be located at least 12-inches above grade.

Venting. All natural gas water heaters must be vented to the outdoors to remove the byproducts of combustion. The vents go directly through an outside wall, and can also bring in combustion air to the gas burner.

Vents larger than 12” in diameter shall not terminate any less than 2 feet about any structure within 10 feet. Other rules may apply.

Clearance to combustibles: for gas fired water heater vents: 6″ minimum clearance from single-wall vent pipe or flue-vent connector to any combustible material. Single wall vent pipes cannot pass through a ceiling, floor, firewall, or wall.

A standard will be needed for plastic flue pipes that should include a temperature gauge and a high limit probe. Then PVC, CPVC and polypropylene flue gas piping can be safely used on high efficiency boilers and water heaters.

Many homes are built with the water heater and furnace sharing the same combustion-gases exhaust vent. This practice is common with standard efficiency (80%) furnaces. When installed correctly, this venting arrangement works with an 80% gas furnace (or lower than 80%) + gas water heater.

The venting must be vertical or upward sloping so that the hot exhaust rises up through the venting to exit your home. Making sure that your home has a properly working vent system is imperative when installing a standard atmospheric vent with your water heater.

The main benefit of a power vent water heater is the ability to locate the water heater away from a chimney. 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.

No. You cannot use a regular vented gas water heater in place of a power-vent water heater with PVC exhaust system. The gas valve/thermostat is not designed on the regular models to accept any changes. It depends on why the power vent unit was installed in the first place.

Since a power vent water heater eliminates the potential for backdraft, they greatly lower the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, although it is not totally eliminated. Energy savings is another benefit. Power vent water heaters are more energy efficient, so they require less gas to operate.

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 water heater requires electricity to work.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Power Vent Water Heaters Efficiency: Power vent water heaters are notoriously energy-efficient, using less fuel than other available venting systems. Cost: Power vent systems run about 75% more expensive than other venting systems, on average.