Water Heater replacement - Gas Regulator?

[radio55monkey]

My 12 year old 40 gal powervent water heater is acting up so I feel it's time for a replacement. I was taking a look at it and noticed there is a gas regulator installed right before it goes into the water heater. I've never seen this before. Is there a reason for this? Will I need to install another regulator (or use this same one) when installing the new water heater?

I also noticed there is a separate regulator going into the furnace as well. I guess I've always seen just one regulator coming off the gas meter and that's it. Is there a reason to put an individual regular at each separate appliance?

Thanks.

 

[Reach4]

I also noticed there is a separate regulator going into the furnace as well. I guess I've always seen just one regulator coming off the gas meter and that's it. Is there a reason to put an individual regular at each separate appliance?

Yes. The classic way is to have 1/4 psi gas out of a single regulator at the meter. That means that big pipes have to be used to deliver gas to high-gas-use things. Some gas companies will put in a 2 psi regulator at the meter upon request, but in that case, you need the individual regulators.

That higher pressure will be really nice if you ever decide to put in a whole house generator (nice) or an on-demand water heater (debatable).