I'm buying a house whose chimney is oversized for the hot water heater (the furnace is power vented elsewhere) plus - the chimney is no longer serviceable and being removed for remodel purposes. So I need to reconfigure the venting for the water heater.

The obvious solution is to replace the current gas hot water heater with a power vented version. However, since the current water heater is practically new - and power vented models are very expensive - is there anyway I can buy or configure a double wall flue and termination vent so I can safely vent the current water heater through the exterior wall of the house?

I've installed several direct vent fireplaces (which have double walled flues that vent/terminate through exterior walls) - so the concept sounds reasonable/workable - but I want to be safe. Any ideas?

 

retro fit power venting kits are sold for your application

 

Can you tell me more about the power vent retro kits? Are they widely available and universal or do I need to contact a specific manufatoror? Also, are they worth the cost/effort (any idea of their cost?) - I just found 6yr warrantied 50 gal powervent water heater for $380 at Menards - much less than I expected.

Your thoughts/advice are appreciated!

Ed

 

thats a better price than the power vent unit itself.
I would jump on it. state also makes a power vented water heater but im not certain if they have a residential model.


good luck

 

Thanks plumbguy!