[abefroman]

Water heater, atomospheric vent or power vent?

Is one hands down better?

I'm assuming the power vent is more efficient and more expensive, and more main differences.

 

[jagans]

The purpose for the power vent is so you can use PVC for a flue, as far as I know, and these HWH are much more expensive than a simple convection type water heater. If I had a good chimney nearby, I would use the simple type. Why complicate something that has worked for years through natural convection? If you need a power vent, you need it. If you don't you don't. What is your situation?

 

[av-geek]

How many power failures do you have in your region? Where I am at, there are overhead lines, and we have several per year. Get a good hurricane or an ice storm, and you could be without power for several days. The reason I ask this is because an atmospheric vent water heater will still work when the electricity is out, therefore, you can take hot showers. A power vent one is more efficient, BUT will it be worth the headache of not being able to shower if the power is out. If you have a backup generator in your home...problem solved, get the power vent and enjoy the extra efficiency!

 

[abefroman]

The purpose for the power vent is so you can use PVC for a flue, as far as I know, and these HWH are much more expensive than a simple convection type water heater. If I had a good chimney nearby, I would use the simple type. Why complicate something that has worked for years through natural convection? If you need a power vent, you need it. If you don't you don't. What is your situation?

Thx, I have a good chimney and got a metal liner put in a couple years ago, so I'll go with standard, seems its about half the price.

 

[jagans]

Hold your horses. There are power vent water heaters that simply have a tube type chimney with baffles going up through the middle of the tank, and there are high efficiency power vent water heaters which have a series of coiled tubes running through the tank. (see how its made on netflix) The HE type are significantly more expensive than the simple tube type, and once you hit that price point, I would opt for an on demand unit. Staying with the Kiss method, I would stick with the simple convection heater, especially if you suffer power outages, as the other poster smartly stated. You can always take a nice warm shower in the dark, then hit the sack with your nook (As long as you have a mini-volt gas log or a good ole wood burner) (Thats why I don't like pellet stoves either, no power, no heat) As you can probably tell, I do not like depending on the power company, even though they are very good where I am. I think its an independent Finn thing. :huh:

 

[abefroman]

I actually have a well, so if the power's out, the water is out, except for what ever is in the pressure tank at the time.