Side draft hot water heater. Direct Vent

[Timothy Peruch]

Has anyone seen this before THE PLASTIC SIDE ATTACHMENT ? and can it be replaced with a regular gas hot water heater.

 

[Terry]

What you have is called a "Direct Vent" and a standard gas water heater does not work there. The newer tanks don't have the plastic pipe down to the flame chamber, but they do have an air vent to it built in.

Rheem Direct Vent

Bradford White Direct Vent

The direct vent water heater will come with the piping and outside vent in the box.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[EarToTheGround]

What you have is called a "Direct Vent" and a standard gas water heater does not work there. The newer tanks don't have the plastic pipe down to the flame chamber, but they do have an air vent to it built in.

Rheem Direct Vent

Bradford White Direct Vent

The direct vent water heater will come with the piping and outside vent in the box.

I recently purchased an AO Smith direct vent, 50 gal gas heater. (Item# 816132)

Can anyone tell me if there would be an issue running the vent to the roof instead of the wall? I'm not excited about buying a $165 7" masonry hole bit that I'll ever only use once. In this application, the heater is going into a garage near an outside wall, so the roof height is not excessive nor would it require additional ducting beyond what is already included with the heater.

Would love any insight, thanks!

 

[Bannerman]

Can anyone tell me if there would be an issue running the vent to the roof instead of the wall?

That will be dependant on the WH manufacturer's requirements. Check the installation manual.

When a manufacturer permits the unit to be vented through the roof, they will offer an appropriate termination kit or will suggest the appropriate components.

I'm not excited about buying a $165 7" masonry hole bit that I'll ever only use once.

Have you considered renting the appropriate tool?

 

[EarToTheGround]

That will be dependant on the WH manufacturer's requirements. Check the installation manual.

When a manufacturer permits the unit to be vented through the roof, they will offer an appropriate termination kit or will suggest the appropriate components.


Have you considered renting the appropriate tool?

Thanks! Hadn't considered renting, definitely an option.

The manual says nothing about a roof entry, although the product site says it's possible:

https://www.aosmithatlowes.com/products/water-heaters/gas-water-heaters/g6-dvt5040nv/

I'll ask them about a different termination kit, appreciate that.

 

[Phog]

I'm not excited about buying a $165 7" masonry hole bit that I'll ever only use once.

I've made holes in brick before by drawing a circle of the appropriate size (in your case 7"). Then getting a standard 1/4" masonry drill bit and drilling a series of holes every half inch or so around the circle with a hammer drill. And finally finishing it off with a cold chisel. It takes awhile but works fine.

 

[Fitter30]

You can rent wet core bits just do web search. Sun and United two rental places. Also there are companies that will do core drilling.