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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.
Why would you need a power vent water heater?
Power direct vents are used when the space in which you are installing a water heater lacks sufficient air for combustion and requires flexibility around the installation. Consult a professional plumbing contractor to make sure that you need power direct venting before going down this installation path.
Are power vent water heaters more expensive?
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.
What is the difference between power vent and direct vent water heater?
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.
Are power vent water heaters worth it?
Power vent water heaters are more energy efficient, so they require less gas to operate. The lower energy consumption will save you some money, but probably not more than $20 a year, making this an added benefit, but not a deciding factor. A power vent water heater can be a good option for this situation.
Is a power vent water heater gas or electric?
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.
How much does it cost to install a power vent water heater?
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.
How long should a power vent water heater last?
Based on the manufacturer’s suggested service life, the life expectancy of a water heater is about eight to 12 years. That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.
Does a power vent water heater need a dedicated circuit?
A gas water heater usually needs no electricity. Some have powered vents, the ones that do use less than 100 watts (less than one amp). So a dedicated circuit is not needed.
Can you put a power vent on a regular 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 far can you vent a power vent water heater?
The maximum equivalent vent length for the exhaust is 60 feet for 3” diameter pipe and 100 feet for 4” diameter pipe. The intake portion of the vent must be equal to or less than the vent length of the exhaust.
Can you vent a power vent water heater into a chimney?
When venting a gas water heater to a chimney, be aware that holes in the chimney can prevent a good draw on the water heater, causing downdrafts and presenting the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. To avert this problem, you can vent the water heater to the largest hole in the chimney and cap the remaining holes.
Can I use PVC to vent gas water heater?
PVC is fine. As Jason mentioned, plastic (PVC or ABS) is ok to use as a venting material on powervented hot water heaters. They work by sending a huge amount of air in with the flue gases that it decreases the temperature of the exhaust going through the vent enough that it will not comprimise the vent.
What is the quietest power vent water heater?
50.32 dBA. The quietest power vent water heaters in the industry. With the new AquaVENT MAX™ Blower, the TTW® Power Vent Residential Gas Water Heaters do the job in a smaller space than the competition: 3″ Flue Products Now Available, 5″ Flue Products Coming Soon.
Which water heater is best?
The 5 Best Water Heaters of 2022 Ratings Product Forbes Advisor Rating Tank Size A.O. Smith EG12-50R55DV 3.8 50 gallons Rheem XG50T12DU38U2 3.8 50 gallons Rheem XE50T10H45U0 3.8 50 gallons Rheem XE50T12CS55U1 3.7 50 gallons.
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.
Can a hot water heater last 20 years?
Tank water heaters will last an average of 8 to 12 years, while tankless water heaters can last even longer, up to 20 years. There are also electric and gas water heaters that will vary in lifespan, but in general gas ones last 8-12 years, while an electric heater could last upwards of 10-15 years.
Should I replace my 15 year old water heater?
Anyway, you should consider replacing your water heater if it’s about 6-12+ years old and when you start running out of hot water faster. However, age and lack of hot water aren’t everything. You could have a 15-year-old water heater that works just fine and wouldn’t need replacing.
What are the signs your hot water heater is going out?
Delivering Rusty or Cloudy Water Rust deposits or a metallic odor coming out with hot water can signal either rusty pipes or rust inside the water heater. If corrosion is eating away the metal from the inside, leaks are inevitable. Murky water from the tap can also be signs that the water heater will fail soon.
Can a water heater last 30 years?
These heaters have an average lifespan of 20 years. However, some can last for up to 30 years when maintained properly.
