Water heater in closet

JRP_24

I'm a remodeling a previously converted garage in my home. I had a closet with vented doors that currently houses my furnace and water heater. I would like to close in the opening and just have one solid door to hide the appliances and reduce furnace sound. I understand this would be ok with my direct vent furnace but I am unclear about the water heater. The closet in question is located inside a 19x13 room. I've attached a pic as well. Any help would be appreciated, this room when done will be either bedroom or bonus room.

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JRP_24

Sorry, I believe the correct term is louvered doors not vented doors...

rusty baker

The water heater has to be able to draw air to burn gas. Maybe one of the experts will know how much.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

Tizzer

You'll be closing off access for future maintenance like filter changes. Is the furnace behind the closed section?
If the water heater dies, will you be able to get it out with the furnace in the way..... or vice-versa.

JRP_24

Access really should be an issue in the future as the closet space is pretty large...more concerned about providing the proper venting and airflow

rusty baker

Hoping that a water heater expert will chime in.

__________________
"I'm twisted, not sick. Sick implies, I'll get better"
Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

Bud Cline

While waiting for that expert I'll suggest that maybe storing all the stuff and clutter in there with the GAS water heater isn't the best idea either.

hardwareman

not sure about the exact specs, but I do know that if the water heater is enclosed such as yours, you must have so many cubic feet of make up air. The National Fuel Gas Code would probably be the best place to get such info.

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................."I want a house that has gotten over all its troubles. I dont' want to spend the rest of life bringing up a young and inexperienced house"...........

AndyGump

And on another note, I think you may find that it is not code to have a water heater in a closet in a bed room or a bonus room anymore. But, I guess that depends on were you are located and the codes in your area. I do all my design work in CA.
Well, that is were I am based anyway, I do lots of design work for out of state clients too.

A hall closet would be fine or a separate enclosure accessed from the exterior would be ideal.

Just saying.

Andy.

Red Squirrel

I would also get a flame guard on that water heater, just to be safe.

Is that an outside wall? You could add a small vent maybe so it can draw outside air.

JRP_24

Behind lower half of the wall(bottom 3 feet) directly behind the water heater is the crawl space. The upper half is an interior wall. Attic directly above (one story house).

VIPlumber

JRP,

I can't remember off the top my my head (loooong day) but I'll look it up for you and reply tomorrow.

BTW, the gas HWT does need combustion air so if you replace the louvered door with a solid one you'll need to provide air into there somehow. You might consider using a return air vent somewhere near the HWT, like in the door or in the wall.

VIPlumber

JRP,

A few quick questions. What's the btus on your furnace and HWT? What was this room before the reno? As a general rule of thumb you need at least 1" sq/1000 btu of the total input of all appliances and the opening shall not be more than 18", or lower than 6", above floor level.

JRP_24

HWT 40,000 BTU/hr input. It also says "for closet installation", if that matters. Furnace 69,000 input, 64,400 output.

AndyGump

I wonder if your code states that it needs to be set up a min. of 18" on a platform?

Andy.