Gas Water Heater Direct Vent Vs Power Vent

While atmospheric vent water heaters are simple and don t require electric power or moving parts power vent water heaters use a fan to push the excess gases through the venting pipes and outside.

Gas water heater direct vent vs power vent. Two of the most common type of water heaters are atmospheric vent water heaters and power vent water heaters. The venting can run either vertically or horizontally with a longer line to help with space and sizing issues within your. The main difference between power vent and direct vent is that dv pulls intake combustion air from outside where power ven uses air from inside. Power direct vent is used when the indoor air quality is a concern.

Continue reading to learn more. The gases can also be expelled vertically through a pipe to the roof. A direct vented burner has no air communication between the house and the combustion air or exhaust venting and is not an infiltration path. A direct vent water heater vents these combustion gases to the atmosphere while a power vent water heater removes them with the aid of a powered venting fan.

Nic o neill at haley mechanical in ann arbor michigan explains the difference between a direct vent and power vent water heater. The blower pushes the exhaust and excess heat through the exhaust venting. Direct vent water heaters. With the dv heaters chances of the house going under a negative pressure are minimal.

The pipe inside the pipe type allows you to have the vent termination at one point. Power vent water heater. They use a fan or blower to expel gases through a sealed vent that s installed horizontally. With a direct vent system air for combustion is drawn from a vent pipe that runs through an exterior wall or the roof.

Here we will go over the two most popular water heater types direct vent and power vent. Power vented unit would still be an infiltration leak in the house but it can t backdraft when burning. I ve never seen a direct vented unit that didn t need electricity. Power vents shouldn t be confused with power direct vents.

Smith power vent gas water heaters are equipped with an electric blower fan that is installed on top of the water heater which requires an electrical outlet to be close to the water heater. Power vent systems derive their combustion air from inside your home. The difference between the two water heater types is combusted from the burner to the vent system. Can you point me to one.

Therefore a power vent system should be placed in an open room where there is airflow. Top considerations before purchasing a water heater with power vent.