After installing a new water heater in a closet adjacent to our pantry, code requires I have 2 6″ holes to the outside. The problem is with temperatures consistently below freezing in Boulder, CO my pantry and kitchen feels like an ice chest every morning. It is a huge energy waste to my kitchen, not to mention the chilly water heater.
Any suggestions? Do we really need these 2 wholes to the outside or is my gas vent straight up enough? Should we move to a instant (tankless) water heater? Thanks
Replies
Do they mean outside the building, or outside the closet (into the house)? Reread the instructions carefully then ask the building inspector.
Thanks for bringing this up. They have been telling me to the outside- but I don't see why I can't make the holes to the inside of the house. That would be like having the heater in a full sized basement.
Thanks
Water heaters can be vented to inside the house (at least in my jurisdiction) with some limts. Okay to vent to an area in main part of the house (kitchen, hallway, etc) but NOT to a bedroom. I assume not to a batroom either, but haven't ever encountered that question.
Seems like you either need to seal up the inside door of the HWH closest. Or ventilate that door and close up the two 6-inch holes to the outside. I would do the later, myself. And add a good carbon monoxide detector, which is a good idea anyway.
Actually, I would use a direct-vent HWH for the added safety and reduced leakage into the house. Then you don't need to make holes anywhere, other than the sealed in and out for the combustion air and exhaust.
David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
Those "holes" are for combustion air - different issue than the vent. And yes you need combustion air -from outside under some codes, inside is ok for others.
There is a "air valve" you can use, kind of like a barometric damper, and as soon as my senior moment is over I'll post back with the name of one of the manufacturers (They use 'em in MI for furnaces, but same thing can be done with water heaters, I believe.)
Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive?
Because it scares the bejabbers out of the dog
Your mileage may vary ....Ahh yes - a Skuttle Make-Up Air Control
http://www.skuttle.com/216.html
On second thought, I'm not sure it'll work for the water heater ....
_______________________
Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive?
Because it scares the bejabbers out of the dog
Your mileage may vary ....