What is the difference between power vent and power direct vent water heater?
Basically, the difference between the two is that the power vent water heater removes combustion gases from the atmosphere via a powered venting fan, while a direct vent water heater vents these gases into the outdoor atmosphere using a chimney or exhaust pipe.
What is power vent gas water heater?
A power vent water heater is vented horizontally and vents exhaust through a horizontal pipe that leads out your home. An added fan/blower pushes the exhaust gases through this pipe. Extra power is required to power the blower, and this power source is separate from powering your water heater.
Can a power vent water heater be run horizontally?
Either way, a power vent can be vented by simply running inexpensive pipe horizontally. However, the drawback to this type of water heater is the total cost considering the blower/fan portion of the vent requires electricity to operate, the cost of the actual blower or fan, and running a power line to the fan.
Which is better power vent or natural draft water heater?
Power-vented water heaters cost more than natural-draft heaters, but if you don’t have an existing chimney, installation will be less. You should be familiar with plumbing, gas piping and wiring, and may need to have the project inspected. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
When to use a direct vent gas water heater?
Direct Vent Direct vent gas water heaters are a type of gas water heater best suited for use when there is insufficient ventilation within the installation space in your home. A direct vent water heater draws air for combustion from outside your home rather than inside.
Where can I buy a vent for my water heater?
A certain amount of feet rises to draw the gasses up and out before offsetting to a certain degree. You can buy a side wall vent kit made by Tjernlund but that might cost as much as a power vent water heater. If your water heater is near an outside wall you can go with a direct vent water heater.
Either way, a power vent can be vented by simply running inexpensive pipe horizontally. However, the drawback to this type of water heater is the total cost considering the blower/fan portion of the vent requires electricity to operate, the cost of the actual blower or fan, and running a power line to the fan.
Direct Vent Direct vent gas water heaters are a type of gas water heater best suited for use when there is insufficient ventilation within the installation space in your home. A direct vent water heater draws air for combustion from outside your home rather than inside.
Power-vented water heaters cost more than natural-draft heaters, but if you don’t have an existing chimney, installation will be less. You should be familiar with plumbing, gas piping and wiring, and may need to have the project inspected. Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
How are exhaust gases vented from a hot water heater?
Exhaust gasses are vented outdoors through a separate vent duct or through a separate chamber of the same pipe (this requires a double-wall vent duct). Direct-vent systems essentially “breathe” outdoor air, so they are not subject to the effects of backdrafting in the home.
