Can a power vent water heater be installed without a vent?
If the water heater is installed in a location that doesn't have access to a vertical vent or chimney, a power vent water heater may be your only option.
How much does it cost to power vent a water heater?
Power venting a water heater costs about $500 to $1,000 more than a passive or direct vent system. Power venting: Adds $300-$600 to the unit's price. Plus, you'll add an additional $300-$500 for wiring and electrical. What does a power vent do on a water heater?
What does a power vent on a water heater do?
What does a power vent do on a water heater? A power vent water heater uses a fan or blower to assist in the removal of exhaust gases from the hot water heater. If the water heater is installed in a location that doesn't have access to a vertical vent or chimney, a power vent water heater may be your only option.
Can a power vent water heater be converted to combustion?
Combustion Air Requirements – Most power vent water heaters are equipped with a second vent from the outside to provide adequate combustion air for the burners. A home fitted with a direct vent water heater may not have this external vent connection. Adding this combustion air vent can be expensive, adding to the cost of the conversion.
How do you install a power vent on a gas water heater?
2:254:07How to Replace a Direct-Vent Water Heater | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right so we just need to make electrical connection right there attach it to the top of theMoreAll right so we just need to make electrical connection right there attach it to the top of the water heater. And it vents out through this.
Is power vented water heater worth it?
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.
How much does it cost to install a power vent?
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 unit requires electricity to work.Jan 7, 2022
What is the difference between a direct vent and power 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.Mar 10, 2021
Are power vent water heaters more expensive?
Electricity: Power vent water heaters are required to be plugged into an outlet, which can cause the need for electrical outlet installation, driving up the cost of initial installation. Cost: Power vent systems run about 75% more expensive than other venting systems, on average.
Why are power vent water heaters so expensive?
A power vent water heater will cost more initially due to extra equipment needed such as the fan and blower. Also, you will need to run a power line to the fan which will also add to the cost.Feb 19, 2015
How much does it cost to install a 40-gallon power vent water heater?
A standard 40-gallon water heater costs $330 to $1,500 for the unit alone, or $500 to $2,500 including installation labor.
How much does Lowes charge for water heater installation?
The basic water heater installation cost at Lowe's is $325. Plus, an estimated fee of $40 is usually added on top of this basic installation cost. Typically, additional piping will be required to complete the installation, so allocate some funds for this expense.
Are indirect water heaters worth it?
An indirect water heater, if used with a high-efficiency boiler and well-insulated tank, can be the least expensive means of providing hot water, particularly if the heat source boiler is set to "cold start." Indirect water heaters are a more efficient choice for most homes, even though they require a storage tank.
Can I replace a power vent water heater with a direct vent?
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, but a power vented water heater must be placed in a room with adequate airflow.Sep 23, 2020
Which is better direct vent or power vent?
The main difference between the two is that in the direct vent water heating system, the combustion gases are released into the atmosphere via chimneys and exhaust pipes....Difference Between Direct Vent & Power Vent Water Heaters.Direct VentPower VentMostly used in old homesSeen in relatively new homes3 more rows
How much electricity does a power vent water heater use?
Typically, a hot water heater that uses a tank will run for three to five hours per day. So, a 4,000-watt heater used for three hours a day at $. 10 per kWh will cost $1.20 per day, about $36.50 per month, or $438 per year.
Power Vent vs. Direct Vent Water Heaters
By looking at two water heaters, you may have difficulty distinguishing a power vent-equipped water heater from a direct vent. The most visible difference is the addition of a fan unit on the vent system of the power vent water heater. Direct vent water heaters will have only a connection for a vent pipe to the outside for the combustion gases.
Which is Better – Power vent or Direct Vent
Neither a power vent system nor a direct vent system will work in all situations. The key to choosing the best option for your water heater vent system is to work with a qualified plumber to determine which type best fits your needs.
The Question of Retrofits – Adding a Power Vent to Your Direct Vent Water Heater
The quick answer to this question is don’t. Industry professionals almost always clarify that adding a power vent to a direct vent water heater is not a good idea. Rather than risk problems and possibly dangerous situations, these professionals suggest that you consult with a qualified plumber to find the best solution to your hot water needs.
What Is A Power Vent?
There are two types of vents used in water heaters. Direct vents involve routing the hot air from your water heater through a chimney. They tend to use metal ducts to route things through your home out larger vent. Power vents, on the other hand, require a motorized blower to push the hot air out of the house.
A Final Note About Installing Power Venting
Honestly, installing power vents is something you should only do if your current power vent’s motor has gone kaput. Converting your water heater’s ventilation from direct to power venting is rarely ever a good idea. In fact, you should rethink it even if your water heater’s manufacturer offers you a way to convert it. It’s just a risky plan!
Related Questions
While power venting heaters have their perks, the truth is that they also happen to be more expensive overall. Power vents can cost as much as 50 to 75 percent more just to buy them from your local home improvement store. They also can cost more to repair and electricity use prices can also be marginally more expensive.
What is a power vent water heater?
A power vent water heater uses a fan or blower to assist in the removal of exhaust gases from the hot water heater. If the water heater is installed in a location that doesn't have access to a vertical vent or chimney, a power vent water heater may be your only option. Similar Asks.
Is it cheaper to install a gas or propane water heater?
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. It's easier to run the vent if you install a “power-vented” type of natural gas (or propane) water heater.
Can you replace a water heater with a power vent?
NO NO NO! Unless the water heater originally was manufactured with a power vent assembly and you are replacing it. Power vent water heaters are manufactured differently from the ground up. Extremely dangerous and will void water heater warranty and any homeowners insurance claims related to the water heater. Click to see full answer.
Do power vent water heaters use less fuel?
They're more efficient, so they use less fuel… but not a lot less. Because they don't use a vent that runs up through the middle of the house, powervent water heaters give a lot more flexibility when it comes to locating the unit.
How does a power vented water heater work?
Power-vented water heater. Power-vented water heaters work the same as ordinary water heaters, but the exhaust gases are blown out with a small fan instead of rising upwards through metal pipes. The hot exhaust gases from a natural-draft water heater rise through an open draft diverter and out through a metal duct.
What is a natural draft water heater?
This type of venting system is different from what you see on most gas water heaters. Most have a “natural-draft” type of vent, where the hot waste gases rise through an open draft diverter and into metal pipes, which eventually lead to the outdoors. Running one of these vents is complicated and may be expensive.
Do vent pipes go upward?
Since this method doesn’t rely on the natural buoyancy of hot air, the vent pipes don’t have to go upward. They can go out horizontally, which usually makes them much easier to install. Further, the fan dilutes the exhaust with cooler air so you can run ...
Can a water heater fan sound?
However, you should be aware of several drawbacks: You may notice the sound of the fan. Ideally the water heater will be in a room away from the main living area so it doesn’t become bothersome. You have to provide a standard electrical receptacle near the unit to supply power for the fan.
Is it cheaper to install a gas or propane water heater?
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. It’s easier to run the vent if you install a “power-vented” type of natural gas (or propane) water heater.
How do I vent a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heaters can be vented in two ways: power-vent or direct-vent. Power-vent units use indoor air for combustion and simply vent the exhaust to the outside. Direct-vent units pull in air from outside the house, so they have two vents for intake and exhaust.
What are the downsides of tankless water heaters?
What is the downside of a tankless water heater? Tankless water heaters produce an endless supply of hot water, take up less space, have a lower risk of leaking, are safer, and have a significantly longer lifespan on average.
Can a tankless heater vent through a chimney?
The tankless heater cannot share vent piping with any other appliance, and it cannot use a masonry chimney flue for venting. Special stainless steel pipe. The standard galvanized vent from your old storage tank heater would quickly rust away if your tankless heater vented through it. Downhill slope or condensate drain. Click to see full answer.
Is it better to vent a tankless water heater or a PVC pipe?
Because tankless water heaters require PVC or special stainless steel piping as the vent material (which is much more expensive than copper, PEX or CPVC), a short venting run is better for both the heater itself, as well as your savings, so many homeowners choose to move the location of their heater closer to an.
