Do water tanks need to be vented?

All water heaters that burn natural gas or liquid propane (LP) gas require a venting system. The process of burning of the gas is called combustion and it creates heat, exhaust gases (including highly poisonous carbon monoxide), and moisture.

What is the difference between direct vent and power vent?

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.

Why are vent pipes important?

Also called a vent stack or plumbing air vent, the vent pipe regulates airflow to assure waste and water flows through pipes that drain out of your house. It prevents a vacuum that causes slow or no drainage.

How do auto vents work?

When liquid is pumped through the system at startup, the initial air inside the piping is pushed into the air vent by the pressure of the flow. If air enters the air vent while it is closed, the liquid level drops and the float lowers, allowing the valve to open and discharge air once more.

Does RV water tank need a vent?

In our Itasca motorhome, the fresh water tank had a factory-installed venting tube. This is a necessary feature so that the tank can “breathe” with capacity and altitude changes. The vent was routed immediately out of the tank and down below the RV floor.

Why would you need a power vent water heater?

Venting systems are necessary to prevent flue gases from accumulating in your water heater. These gases largely consist of water vapor and carbon dioxide. The vapor becomes acidic and needs to be released in order to relieve combustion pressure and prevent the water heater from exploding.

Can I replace a power vent water heater with a direct vent?

Direct venting and power venting systems offer greater flexibility, because neither requires a direct line to the roof. This difference in operation means that you can install a direct vent system almost anywhere, but a power vented water heater must be placed in a room with adequate airflow.