Power Vent Water Heater Replacing Draft Vent
 

First, I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for their willingness to share. It's been a pleasure to learn from such a knowledgeable community.

My latest query involves replacing my aged water heater. Presently, I'm leaning towards a power vent model, though I'm in no way married to that decision so if you have other suggestions please speak up. I don't plan to replace the furnace at this time though I'd like to consider the implications of water heater decisions on future furnace replacement.

1) Is it possible to plumb a power vent water heater to a natural draft flue? If so, how should it be done with my current situation? My guess is no, but I want to ask the question anyway and I'd like to understand why. Even if it is possible to vent that way, wouldn't I need combustion air from outside?

2) What are the regulations regarding vent/intake distance from the ground and/or windows. The most direct route from my water heater to the outside is about 15' to the north side of my house. The attached pictures show the clearances available to me. The water heater vents would need to be located between the dryer vent and the window. Is that acceptable?

I'm sure I've overlooked some important concepts so please raise them. Thank you for your advice!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/366564/waterheater/IMG_4625.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/366564/waterheater/IMG_4626.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/366564/waterheater/IMG_4628.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/366564/waterheater/IMG_4631.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/366564/waterheater/IMG_4634.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/366564/waterheater/IMG_4635.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/366564/waterheater/IMG_4636.JPG

Here is way I don't install power vent or tank less water heater. When the power goes out you have no hot water. What you got now no power is goes to it.

I'm on a well so when the power goes I'm without water anyway.

Do you have a reno plan that requires a powervented HWT?.
I've only seen clients who wanted to move their tank to a location too far away from a chimney to vent normally or somebody wanting to completely remove a chimney, choose a power vented HWT.

My reason for proposing power vent is so in the future when I replace my furnace I'd be able to remove the chimney - one less hole in the roof. Are the power vent models any more efficient?

Bump....

There are also direct vent water heaters that don't require a vent motor and should vent out OK through your sill area (no chimney needed).

@sktn77a: That's interesting. I've never heard of them. Do you have a make/model that I can research?

hey polebarn!

what did the last thread you started miss?

@hvac5646 I don't understand your question?

didn't your last thread answer your question?

I'm going to pose this question to a HVAC friend. I'll post his response here to stimulate dialog or for reference.

Here you go:

http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing-Wa...&storeId=10051

http://www.lowes.com/pd_205229-135-D...cetInfo=Direct Vent