Having a properly functioning ventilation system is essential for any home with a gas heater plumbing system. Whether you have a tank or tankless water heater, stainless steel or metal tubes must be used to vent due to the high temperatures. The only way to avoid this is with a condensing unit, which will allow you to ventilate with PVC. Insulating the water heater by closing doors and windows, turning off the oven, and letting the water heater run on its own can help improve efficiency.
Gas burners generate harmful fumes that contain carbon monoxide, a byproduct of the fuel used to light the burner and heat the water in the tank. To ensure these fumes are safely removed from your home, it's important to install a standard atmospheric vent that is vertical or tilted upwards so that the warm exhaust rises through the vent. In some models of gas water heaters, an electrically vented fan will be used to extract exhaust gases through the chimney. Electrically vented water heaters are considered to be more energy efficient than a standard direct ventilation system and are more effective at preventing reverse air currents from entering the water heater. To ensure your home's plumbing system is running smoothly, it's important to have regular maintenance and repairs done by a professional plumber.
