Gas burning appliances vent pipes produce heat when discharging exhaust gases to exterior. Temperature of the vent pipe is transferred to the surrounding area and all the materials that are in the vent pipe vicinity. Problems start arising if those materials are combustible and located to close to the furnace, water heater vent pipe. If you apply heat to a combustible material for some period of time (that varies between materials), its point of ignition will gradually get lower and eventually little heat will be required to start a fire – that’s why you need a clearance between the vent pipe and a combustible material.
Water heater PVC vent pipe information below does not apply to tankless type water heaters. PVC vent pipes can be used only with power-vent /exhaust motor equipped water heaters also known as an induced draft gas water heaters (also CPVC and ABS but some manufacturer and local restriction may apply to all 3 types). For [...]
All types of fuel burning appliances in our homes require air to properly burn that fuel. It is called Combustion Air and it actually has three functions: It is required to properly burn fuel To dilute exhaust gases that are being vented to exterior To vent and cool appliances The most popular fuel used in [...]
To fully understand house water heater venting I highly recommend reading House Brick Chimney Problems & Gas Water Heater and Furnace Chimney Flue Sizing posts – several of the water heater vent pipe conditions described below depend on properly operating and installed chimney! There are two common types of gas water heater vents: natural draft [...]
Illinois remained very conservative, as far as water heater gas connector type (or any other permanently installed appliance gas connection), which used to be black steel pipe only. However, according to Peoples Gas / Nicor website “Updated Construction Guide” (just fill-up the pup-up from and you’ll be able to open it) the use of CSST [...]
Every water heater (gas or electric) must have a TPR (Temporary Pressure Relief) valve installed, also known as Watts Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve. The pressure relief valve is usually located on top or side wall of the tank enclosure (tankless water heater safety valve, also known as T&P valve is located underneath the appliance). [...]
