Water Heaters - Time to replace the HWH, with what?
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cgc68
10-21-09, 10:16 PM
My daughter has a 10 yr. old power vent gas HW heater located in the basement and vented out the roof through a PVC pipe. The HWH needs replaced. Must we replace it with another power vent type HWH?
I don't know if any of you follow any of the other forums here but this is the same daughter who needs a water conditioning system and a new A/C system. When it rains it pours.
charlie
I don't know if any of you follow any of the other forums here but this is the same daughter who needs a water conditioning system and a new A/C system. When it rains it pours.
charlie
Beachboy
10-22-09, 08:38 AM
No, you don't HAVE to replace your daughter's water heater with another power vent model. But if you're going to any other type of gas water heater, either a traditional tank or instaneous, you'll need to install the appropriate metal vent system, which could be very expensive.
Your only other option would be to go electric, which wouldn't need any venting.
I get the impression you would rather not go back with the power vent type of heater. Are you wanting to go back with a less expensive model? If so, the cost of installing a metallic vent for a traditional tank type heater would probably offset the savings of the cheaper traditional heater. Going electric would entail running new wiring to the heater and a new circuit breaker, and possibily higher operating costs.
Your only other option would be to go electric, which wouldn't need any venting.
I get the impression you would rather not go back with the power vent type of heater. Are you wanting to go back with a less expensive model? If so, the cost of installing a metallic vent for a traditional tank type heater would probably offset the savings of the cheaper traditional heater. Going electric would entail running new wiring to the heater and a new circuit breaker, and possibily higher operating costs.
cgc68
10-23-09, 12:33 PM
Beachboy
Your impression is correct. The only reason for not going back with a power vent is the expence of the HWH. I agree replaceing the PVC vent with a metal vent would more than offset any savings from buying a cheaper type HWH. I just didn't know if we had to stick with a power vent type since the vent is PVC. Thanks for your answer. We will buy another Power vent type gas HWH.
charlie
Your impression is correct. The only reason for not going back with a power vent is the expence of the HWH. I agree replaceing the PVC vent with a metal vent would more than offset any savings from buying a cheaper type HWH. I just didn't know if we had to stick with a power vent type since the vent is PVC. Thanks for your answer. We will buy another Power vent type gas HWH.
charlie