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.
Water heater in closet
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The water heater has to be able to draw air to burn gas. Maybe one of the experts will know how much.
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Hoping that a water heater expert will chime in.
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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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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.
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.
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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.
Is that an outside wall? You could add a small vent maybe so it can draw outside air.
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.
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.
Alright, according to my tables of you have a total of 109k btu then you'll need an opening of 18" square or 5" round duct equivalent (if you bring the air in from outside)
Andy G brings up a good point about checking with your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction or local inspection office). I'm using the Canadian Gas Assoc codebook which is the same codes as the AGA, but these are just MINIMUM guidelines, and your local codes may be more strict. They may want you to have your tank mounted on a platform in case of a major leak, they may want you to chage the way your T&P relief piping is piped (it goes out through the wall to the outside I assume? If so how high above the ground is it?)
It may be a PITA to ask the local inspectors, but it's a gas appliance your dealing with, not electric, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
Thanks for the exercise. I've been working exclusively on Industrial/ Commercial these last few years and this was a good little one to sink my teeth into.
Good luck!
P.S. -
Sorry to burst your bubble but the code states that "The water heater, unless of the direct vent type, shall not be installed in a bathroom, bedroom, or any enclosure where sleeping accomodation is provided"
Andy G brings up a good point about checking with your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction or local inspection office). I'm using the Canadian Gas Assoc codebook which is the same codes as the AGA, but these are just MINIMUM guidelines, and your local codes may be more strict. They may want you to have your tank mounted on a platform in case of a major leak, they may want you to chage the way your T&P relief piping is piped (it goes out through the wall to the outside I assume? If so how high above the ground is it?)
It may be a PITA to ask the local inspectors, but it's a gas appliance your dealing with, not electric, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
Thanks for the exercise. I've been working exclusively on Industrial/ Commercial these last few years and this was a good little one to sink my teeth into.
Good luck!
P.S. -
Code:
...this room when done will be either bedroom or bonus room.So then this room is not on an outside wall? Bummer. You can't pull air from the attic, I'll look up the code and add later. There's a max distance you can vent from the outside, I'll look that up later as well.
But the easiest way would be to add a grill on the door, or on the wall. The furnace can't all that noisy, can it? What do you plan on doing in this 'bonus room'?
But the easiest way would be to add a grill on the door, or on the wall. The furnace can't all that noisy, can it? What do you plan on doing in this 'bonus room'?
The closet, which houses the HWT, does not back to an exterior wall. There are two exterior walls on other side of room. The grills(in door or wall) are an option but not ideal because we would like this room to be available as a bedroom.
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