Direct Vent water heater in SF Bay area

[Tate Dog]

Are there code or other issues with using a direct vent(non powered) WH? I would like to vent to an exterior wall within 1 foot of the unit. Are there efficiency issues or any Energy Star rated models or are they in conflict with the NOx requirements.
Thanks

[Markus Keller]

Direct vent, non-powered? Doesn't make sense. I'm not aware of a direct vent unit that isn't inducer/exhaust motor powered.
A few points based on what you might be asking
- Install per Manufacturer specs
- install per municipal code, this typically means not into narrow gangways or close to operable doors and windows, at least 10' above any walkway, etc
- venting typically doesn't have much to do with efficiency under normal circumstances

[Tate Dog]

A. O. Smith Water Heaters (http://www.hotwater.com/products/residential/rg-ssl-dv.html)

This is the product type I was referring to

Thanks

[Billy Stephens]

A. O. Smith Water Heaters (http://www.hotwater.com/products/residential/rg-ssl-dv.html)

This is the product type I was referring to

Thanks
.
Yo !

You Need To Call The Plumber Dog. ;)
.

[Jim Luttrall]

This power direct vent water heater comes with the blower
assembly installed

The one you list requires A/C power.
here is a link to the instruction manual.
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/im/res_gas/185884-001.pdf

[Tate Dog]

http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/shared/pdfs/specsheets/103-B_ICON.pdf

I could have sworn(i am now) that I checked the link. Sorry. This is a BradfordWhite version

[Markus Keller]

The manufacturer drawings typically show the minimum vent configuration in the basic drawing. Depending on manufacturer, the installation instructions will show a few more drawings having different allowed configurations. The install instructions typically also have a table that shows maximum elbow and pipe length variations. The BradfordW unit you provided appears to be able to vent roughly within a foot of the unit as you are looking for. What exactly you mean by 'within 1 foot of the unit' is course unexplained. Rise from unit to ceiling, center of flue to wall, back of tank to wall, etc.
See the points in my 1st post for vital details. This is obviously not a furnace so it will be running in warm weather. It is important that you not contaminate a walkway or install a situation where exhaust will get blown back in open windows or doors.
As Billy mentioned, call a plumber.
"The plumber protects the health of the nation"