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Q. I had my whirlpool heater installed today and I was wondering, how does the carbon monoxide get out? I know it is vented through the roof with the furnace as it ties into that duct, but from the top of the tank to the pipe there is that small piece on top and then an open space. Can't the carbon monoxide just come out the top as opposed to flowing up to that pipe and out?

A. The piece of metal you are mentioning on top of the water heater is draft inducers. Hot air or combustion gas rises, and when it exits the tank vent (inside the tank) it is allowed to mix with normal air and continue to raise out the vent. This is not for cooling the combustion gas, but to allow for proper venting.
The reason for this draft inducers is that if the unit was totally sealed with no inducers, but a tight vent from burner to roof, all the venting air would be required to go through the firebox. The draft going from main burner to standby pilot light would blow out the pilot..