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A power vent water heater is vented horizontally and vents exhaust through a horizontal pipe that leads out your home. An added fan/blower pushes the exhaust gases through this pipe. Extra power is required to power the blower, and this power source is separate from powering your water heater.
Is power vent water heater better?
Power vent water heaters are more energy efficient, so they require less gas to operate. The lower energy consumption will save you some money, but probably not more than $20 a year, making this an added benefit, but not a deciding factor. A power vent water heater can be a good option for this situation.
What is the difference between power vent and direct vent water heater?
The difference is that a power vent water heater pulls in combustion air from the space around the appliance, then uses a fan to propel the exhaust through the vent. A direct vent system pulls in air from outside and then vents the exhaust through a horizontal pipe.
Are power vent water heaters more expensive?
Advantages & Disadvantages of Power Vent Water Heaters Efficiency: Power vent water heaters are notoriously energy-efficient, using less fuel than other available venting systems. Cost: Power vent systems run about 75% more expensive than other venting systems, on average.
How much does a power vent water heater cost?
Water Heater Installation Cost by Type of Vent Type Average Costs (Installed) Direct Vent $350 – $4,000 Power Vent $1,050 – $5,000.
How long should a power vent water heater last?
Based on the manufacturer’s suggested service life, the life expectancy of a water heater is about eight to 12 years. That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.
Does a power vent water heater need a dedicated circuit?
A gas water heater usually needs no electricity. Some have powered vents, the ones that do use less than 100 watts (less than one amp). So a dedicated circuit is not needed.
Why would you need a power vent water heater?
Power direct vents are used when the space in which you are installing a water heater lacks sufficient air for combustion and requires flexibility around the installation. Consult a professional plumbing contractor to make sure that you need power direct venting before going down this installation path.
Can you put a power vent on a regular water heater?
Natural gas or propane hot water heaters are generally less expensive to operate than electric heaters, but installing a standard vent in a house without an existing chimney is expensive. It’s easier to run the vent if you install a “power-vented” type of natural gas (or propane) water heater.
Are tankless water heaters power vented?
Tankless water heaters can be vented in two ways: power-vent or direct-vent. Power-vent units use indoor air for combustion and simply vent the exhaust to the outside.
Is a power vent water heater gas or electric?
Must Use Electricity: The blower in power vent water heaters must be attached to an electrical source to run. Depending on where your water heater will be located, you may have to install an extra electrical outlet nearby, which is another cost factor.
Can you vent a power vent water heater into a chimney?
When venting a gas water heater to a chimney, be aware that holes in the chimney can prevent a good draw on the water heater, causing downdrafts and presenting the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. To avert this problem, you can vent the water heater to the largest hole in the chimney and cap the remaining holes.
How much does it cost to install a power vent?
Power Vent Water Heaters. Power venting a water heater costs about $500 to $1,000 more than a passive or direct vent system. Power venting: Adds $300—$600 to the unit’s price. Plus, you’ll add an additional $300—$500 for wiring and electrical.
Which water heater is best?
The 5 Best Water Heaters of 2022 Ratings Product Forbes Advisor Rating Tank Size A.O. Smith EG12-50R55DV 3.8 50 gallons Rheem XG50T12DU38U2 3.8 50 gallons Rheem XE50T10H45U0 3.8 50 gallons Rheem XE50T12CS55U1 3.7 50 gallons.
How much does Lowes charge for water heater installation?
The basic water heater installation cost at Lowe’s is $325. Plus, an estimated fee of $40 is usually added on top of this basic installation cost. Typically, additional piping will be required to complete the installation, so allocate some funds for this expense.
What does a power vent do?
A power vent water heater uses a fan or blower to assist in the removal of exhaust gases from the hot water heater. If there is no chimney available, horizontally venting the water heater to the outside through inexpensive venting pipe instead will also benefit the homeowner by saving money. Feb 19, 2015.
Should I replace my 15 year old water heater?
Anyway, you should consider replacing your water heater if it’s about 6-12+ years old and when you start running out of hot water faster. However, age and lack of hot water aren’t everything. You could have a 15-year-old water heater that works just fine and wouldn’t need replacing.
Can a hot water heater last 20 years?
Tank water heaters will last an average of 8 to 12 years, while tankless water heaters can last even longer, up to 20 years. There are also electric and gas water heaters that will vary in lifespan, but in general gas ones last 8-12 years, while an electric heater could last upwards of 10-15 years.
How many amps does a power vent water heater draw?
Most electric water heaters use 18.8 amps with 240 volts and a 4,500 watt heating element. A gas water heater uses less amps—about 12 Amps with 115 volts. The average residential container heater has a 40-gallon tank and usually requires a 30-amp breaker.
Should a hot water tank be on its own circuit?
Generally, any equipment that runs on 220-volt power must have its own circuit. Water heaters usually need their own circuits as well. Tankless on-demand units must heat water quite rapidly, so they necessitate additional upgrades in many homes.
Do electric hot water heaters need a GFCI?
However, GFCI protection is not required for receptacles not intended to serve wet bar countertop surfaces, such as refrigerators, ice makers, water heaters, or convenience receptacles that do not supply counter-top surfaces.
Can furnace and water heater share vent?
Most homes have a shared vent (serving both the furnace + water heater) when the furnace efficiency is up to 80% (which is today’s standard efficiency gas furnace). A High-E furnace has separate venting. So, the existing vent pipe is too large for proper venting and must be replaced with one of a smaller dimension.
