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  1. #1
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    Default water heater exhaust damper

    Today I saw a high efficiency water heater that exhausts through pvc terminate at a back-draft damper outside. This can't be right, can it?

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    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
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  2. #2
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: water heater exhaust damper

    JA: It is my understanding that ultra-efficient heaters use sealed-combustion technology so they cannot backdraft. The damper would then be moot, if not specifically disallowed.


  3. #3
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    Default Re: water heater exhaust damper

    It's a Rheem power vent and I looked up the installations specs. While they don't say "no back draft damper", they don't show one as an option, either. Just the pipe with a supplied screen.

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  4. #4
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: water heater exhaust damper

    JA: I cannot think of a reason why it would be prohibited, but I have also never seen this installation before.


  5. #5
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    Mar 2007
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    Ridgewood, NJ
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    Default Re: water heater exhaust damper

    John, is it possible that the damper could freeze closed due to the moisture in the products of combustion? I've never seen one on high efficiency equipment.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: water heater exhaust damper

    Quote Originally Posted by neal lewis View Post
    John, is it possible that the damper could freeze closed due to the moisture in the products of combustion? I've never seen one on high efficiency equipment.
    I think that's possible, based on warnings about freezing in the installation specs.

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

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