Venting Tankless Water Heater Through Wall

The direct vent water boiler is another type of water heater venting that you should know about.

Venting tankless water heater through wall.

Tankless water heaters use fans to blow exhaust from the unit horizontally allowing vents to terminate on the side of a house. Technically you can vent your tankless heater through the chimney but only in certain circumstances. The air that is used for combustion will come from the water vent this vent will either through the roof or from the outside of the wall. All water heater venting systems use a vent duct or pipe also called a chimney or flue to bring exhaust gases from the water heater to the outdoors.

The biggest issue is that the condensate is very acidic and will corrode the masonry of a chimney. Tankless water heaters are ventilated in two ways. Traditional tank gas water heaters vent through the roof using galvanized steel b vents because they work through natural draft allowing the hot exhaust air to rise up and out of the house. This vent also allows for off gasses to be unleashed outside too.

Power vent and direct vent. All solid liquid or gas fueled water heater whether they are tank type or tankless must vent through the roof unless they are direct vent. A blower or power vent draws combustion air in to the heater and a power vent pushes exhaust gases out through a separate or dedicated exhaust flue. The heating appliance vents directly out through a building side wall powered by natural draft provided by the heating equipment typically using a single wall metal flue or chimney or a b vent.

Traditional gas tank water heater require venting through the roof. It really is not a good idea. Direct vent units attract outside air from the house or building while power vent units solely need an exhaust vent and should be installed in a larger area for receiving sufficient air amount for combustion. If the unit is installed on a basement wall the vent pipe can be run up just a few feet and then vented out the side with the use of a 90 degree elbow.

The duct may be metal or plastic depending on the type of vent system. By contrast tankless water heaters vents can terminate on a side wall because their combustion fan blows exhaust from the units horizontally. Tankless water heaters can vent through the roof or a side wall creating more flexibility and options for placement.