Learning how to vent a hot water heater without a chimney is a basic life skill everyone should have. Hot water heaters have become a necessity in every household. So much so that hot water is almost as important as running water itself! Venting a hot water heater is essential since it helps remove dangerous exhaust gasses such as Carbon Monoxide that may adversely affect your health or cause a fire hazard. However, not every household has space for a chimney to vent a hot water heater.
But fret not, our post will help teach you how to vent a hot water heater without a chimney with a step-by-step guide that is perfect for beginners. We’ll also discuss alternative methods in case one doesn’t work for you.
Professional Methods
Method 1 - Install a Power Vent
Power vents are excellent for venting a gas hot water heater, especially if you don’t have a vertical chimney. Instead of venting hot air and exhaust gasses straight up, a power vent moves them horizontally using a blower attached above the heater. This method is particularly useful for hot water heaters in the basement where ventilation may already be inadequate.
However, installing a power vent needs a lot of space. You will need to install the vent on a flat surface outside the building and connect it to the water heater. Plus, if you have a 28-inch water heater, you’ll need a 30-inch frame size in the vent for the heater to fit. Power vents are usually gas or electricity powered and will add to your energy bills when used.
Method 2 - Install a Direct Vent
An alternative to power vents is direct vents. However, some heaters come particularly suited for this type of venting. Unlike power venting, this method does not require an additional blower but has two separate pipes for inflow and outflow instead. One pipe sucks in fresh air for combustion while the other pushes exhaust air outside. This method is particularly useful for tight spaces where natural ventilation is scarce.
Method 3 - Install a Concentric Vent
Concentric venting is similar to installing a direct vent but is oftentimes more aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, this method is useful for smaller, wall-mounted tankless water heaters. Unlike direct vents, concentric vents require only one hole in the wall as the inlet pipe is usually placed within the outlet pipe. This not only makes the installation look cleaner but is easier as well.
Easy DIY Methods
Method 4 - Use an Exhaust Fan
Unlike the more professional methods explained above, there are cheaper and easier alternatives to venting your hot water heater even if you don’t have a chimney. Installing an exhaust fan next to your water heater will help quickly remove any harmful gasses venting out of the heater. Plus, this cheap alternative is great for ventilation that will help your water heater burn more cleanly too.
This method is even easier if you have a tankless water heater since you may be able to easily install it near a window. Just be sure to place the exhaust fan close to the gas outlet of our heater.
Method 5 - Use a Stove Hood
Just like an exhaust fan, a stove hood is an unorthodox method of venting your hot water heater. Since stove hoods are designed for ventilation, having them over a water heater eliminates the need for a chimney or any other type of ventilation. However, installing one over a heater not placed in your kitchen seems impractical and a little wasteful. They take up a lot of space, eat up a lot of energy and aren’t being utilized to their optimum when installed above heaters.
Method 6 - Use Your Air Conditioning
For any heater placed within the confines of your room, air conditioning is a great, cost-effective method for ventilation. Air conditioning systems naturally vent air within enclosed spaces. Plus, these are great for keeping your room cool and keeping your heater performing at maximum efficiency. Close down all windows and doors to ensure toxic gasses from your heater don’t escape to other rooms before you turn on air conditioning.
Comparing The Professional Methods
While all three methods discussed have their pros and cons, they’re the industrially accepted alternative to chimneys. Here is a summary to help you decide which method to choose according to your needs.
Category
Power Vents
Direct Vents
Concentric Vents
Best suited for which heater?
High-efficiency water heaters come with this preinstalled; ideal for places with poor ventilation
All types of water heaters that don’t have a sealed combustion chamber
Small tankless water heaters
Affordability?
Expensive
Won’t break the bank
Cheap
Can it be done post-heater installation?
Yes, but it is not recommended for heaters that don’t come fitted with one
Yes
Yes, if your heater comes with the required outlets
Space Saving?
Definitely not
Yes
Yes
Comparing DIY Methods
Like the professional methods, there are pros and cons to DIY methods explained above. Here’s a brief comparison to help you decide.
Category
Exhaust Fan
Stove Hood
Air Conditioning
Affordability
Very cheap
Slightly more expensive
Expensive
Practicality
More practical if placed closer to the water heater; not suitable for places without windows
Takes a lot of space
Practical
Ease of Installation
Very easy
Slightly harder
Much harder
Space Saving?
Yes
No
Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is venting a hot water heater important?
All hot water heaters, except for solar and electric heaters, rely on burning some sort of fuel to generate heat. Burning fuel uses atmospheric oxygen and produces carbon dioxide gas which is harmless by itself. However, with poor ventilation the concentration of oxygen in the air reduces and the byproduct of burning becomes carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide. This is a highly toxic gas that can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and even death.
How often do you need to vent your hot water heater?
This largely depends on the location of your hot water heater. If it is already in a well-ventilated area, say a room with plenty of windows, it may not require ventilating all that often. The same is true if your hot water heater is placed outside your home. In that case, you don’t need to ventilate it at all. However, routine ventilation is necessary if your heater is somewhere with less than ideal ventilation such as a basement or an attic.
Routine inspections of your vent system will help you identify any minor issues before they become bigger problems.
How much will it cost to vent a hot water heater without a chimney?
Again, this depends on multiple factors, such as the location of your heater, the building codes in your area, and the type of method you adopt for ventilation. Installing an exhaust fan should cost you less than $100. However, installing a power vent can easily go upwards of $500.
Conclusion
Learning how to vent a hot water heater without a chimney is an important life skill that will help you stay safe and prolong the life of your heating system at the same time. You can get it done professionally, or take on a DIY project depending on your circumstances and requirements.
Hi everyone! My name is Jason, and I am the founder of HeaterWise.com. Having run my own business as a Heating Engineer for 21 years, I have picked up a few things along the way.
I wanted to create Heater Wise as a place where anyone could come, from far and wide, to find the information that they need.
I hope you will join us here at Heater Wise, to get started on your own journey, to expand your knowledge, and make the best heating choices for you and your family.
