You need to keep the power vent. And if you have a large jacuzzi tub or soaking tub, you'll never be able to fill it with enough hot water with a 50 gallon
Understood. Thank you. I will most likely end up replacing with the same unit. Unless you had a suggestion on 75 gal heaters with the power vent? I have heard mixed things regarding Richmond so not necessarily stuck on them.
Rheem and Richmond are the same,
State and Ao smith are the same.
The truth is Powerventsare a pain in the ass and expensive. For ease just put in a Richmond
That motor is a power vent, which is probably there because you need it. Make sure you’re replacing your tank with the correct style of heater.
The fifty gallon tank in photo is an atmospheric vent and not a suitable replacement for what you have now
Edit: just saw your vent pipe - not probably, you do need a power vent
Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much. I am doing some research now, but are you familiar with any 50 gal tanks it they even offer a power vent? Or is that something that is standard/required on the 75 gal
Thankfully someone chimed in and saved yourself from potentially installing an atmospheric w/h into a Sch40 exhaust.
Please do more research before you attempt this,
Hopefully Reddit isn’t your only source of information.
It’s not. My step dad who will be doing the install is a plumber. I was just trying to familiarize myself and maybe downgrade to save some money as this isn’t our forever home and there are only 2 adults and 1 baby. But I do thank redditors for getting me up to speed quicker while doing the research myself and playing with my son but thanks for your feedback! Do you have any real advice other than do more research? If not Happy Thanksgiving!
If your step dad is a Plumber, wouldn’t he be able to answer most of your basic questions?
Not trying to be condescending, but gas fired appliances are kind of serious.
Best advice is to let your dad do the install and provide him with the money to buy what he suggests. Gas is not a joke and you can damage you and your families health. For example, if you had put that regular atmospheric water heater in place hooked up to the white plastic vent pipe then the plastic would have been burnt and begin to melt after some use. That plastic pipe when burned gives of very toxic fumes that will hurt you and your family. Also when you are done make sure you get the permit pulled as the modification of any gas appliance needs the permit pulled in almost every state.
Much appreciated! That is 100% the plan haha I’m just there to hand him tools and moral support! I just wanted to try and get a better understanding with an open dialogue! We won’t be going to that 50 gal. We will be going with the same model 75 gal power center for simplicity! Thank you for the tips!
Thank you! I’ve realized that and will be sticking with a direct vent if I even have to replace it. Looking at the Rheem 50 gal power vent. Going to evaluate the leak tomorrow and hopefully we can just replace the pipes and anode rod!
If that tank is over 10 years old with original anode rod, i wouldn’t count on it being decent inside. And you’ll need a pretty good impact wrench to loosen up the anode rod. They don’t want them replaced. You won’t likely get it out with just a wrench, even with a big cheater (your dad will know what i said 😅).
No they are not powervent by definition. I don’t know of any current models that aren’t powervent, but I still run into some old atmospheric tankless units from time to time. Bosch made them.
So, what you're saying is 99.98% are power vent, but you've come across a single model that completely negates my statement, huh? Your input was not necessary here.
Yeah boss. You said they are power vent “by definition”. A tankless water heater is by definition a water heater that heats domestic water without relying on storage capacity to meet demand draw. There’s no part of that definition that requires a specific type of venting, and it would be an incorrect definition if you said they had to be powervented as not all of them are.
Atmospheric indirect tankless systems are also not uncommon.
Actually, indirect tankless heaters still have a blower motor allowing them to vent horizontally. By definition, power vent. Nice try though. You'll get it one day
I don’t think you know what an indirect tankless heater is.
Plenty of them are atmospheric, but they can be powervented as well. Most in my area are powervented, but atmospheric is common back east.
Here’s a 4,000,000 BTU water heater with a category I vent. You’re gonna need to find 32” b-vent to install it.
https://mpnboilers.com/product/raytherm-water-heaters-2100-4001/
See mom? No fan!
https://www.parts4heating.com/v/vspfiles/explodedViews/Raypak-Raytherm-2100-4001.html
You should really STFU. The small unit requires a 2' wide vent. Completely not applicable to this situation. Let me reiterate, your input was absolutely unnecessary here. STFU.
Well, you said you can’t do anything over 200,000 without a fan so I figured I’d show you some bigger boys. 20x what you thought was impossible should be convincing, no?
They make smaller ones too. The smallest Raytherm is a 511,000 btu. That’d be a 10” vent. But go into different product lines and you’ll find even smaller.
Anyhow, so much for 200,000 btu being some kind of cutoff requiring a power vent.
I would find someone to install a navien tankless, nothing else. Save you money each month, and endless hot water. Have also found them to be more reliable than tanked water heaters.
Not really. The corroded pipe on the left is leaking from the top and the hot on the right is leaking at the top as well. It’s 10 years old this Feb other than that I didn’t think I needed a new one. Had a guy come out and told me it was “deemed” and it would be 6k to replace. That’s when I called my step dad etc and ya. He hasn’t even looked at it yet. We’re just going by what that plumber said. Hopefully when he comes over tomorrow we just need to replace a few pipes (which is what I was hoping for!) thoughts?
10 years is about the average life, but that’s just it: an average. Anecdotally, I’ve seen water heaters 20+ years old and running fine. If it were me, I would replace the leaking fittings, resolder, replace the anode rod and call it a day.
Thank you! That would be soooo ideal! I’m definitely hoping he’s thinking the same thing! Regardless I’ll prob suggest that before we spend the cash unless he thinks it’s “deemed”
Your heater is a powervent if you don’t have a chimney that your furnace or boiler is connected to then you need to stay with powervent. How many bathrooms are in the house? Any soaking tub in master bathroom?. You can install a 50 gal powervent.
I’d recommend using a Bradford White water heaters it’s a good brand and do t have many problems with them. But I guess take what your plumbers use
Thank you! We have 3 bathrooms and a soaker tub in our master (that we never use) my step dad is a retired plumber so idk if he will be able to get a Bradford White but we’ll see what he thinks today
You need to keep the power vent. And if you have a large jacuzzi tub or soaking tub, you'll never be able to fill it with enough hot water with a 50 gallon
Understood. Thank you. I will most likely end up replacing with the same unit. Unless you had a suggestion on 75 gal heaters with the power vent? I have heard mixed things regarding Richmond so not necessarily stuck on them.
Rheem and Richmond are the same, State and Ao smith are the same. The truth is Powerventsare a pain in the ass and expensive. For ease just put in a Richmond
Nothing hard about direct vents…
Great! Thank you!
If you were ever considering a tankless, now would be the time!
A 50 gallon natural gas is plenty for 3-4 people.
Thanks!
That motor is a power vent, which is probably there because you need it. Make sure you’re replacing your tank with the correct style of heater. The fifty gallon tank in photo is an atmospheric vent and not a suitable replacement for what you have now Edit: just saw your vent pipe - not probably, you do need a power vent
Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much. I am doing some research now, but are you familiar with any 50 gal tanks it they even offer a power vent? Or is that something that is standard/required on the 75 gal
It has to do with the orientation of your vent pipe not the size of the water heater. I’m sure you can find a 50 gal power vent.
They make 40 and 50 gallon power vents. Bradford white, state, and…. Drawing a blank on the other brand, but they make them
Thankfully someone chimed in and saved yourself from potentially installing an atmospheric w/h into a Sch40 exhaust. Please do more research before you attempt this, Hopefully Reddit isn’t your only source of information.
It’s not. My step dad who will be doing the install is a plumber. I was just trying to familiarize myself and maybe downgrade to save some money as this isn’t our forever home and there are only 2 adults and 1 baby. But I do thank redditors for getting me up to speed quicker while doing the research myself and playing with my son but thanks for your feedback! Do you have any real advice other than do more research? If not Happy Thanksgiving!
If your step dad is a Plumber, wouldn’t he be able to answer most of your basic questions? Not trying to be condescending, but gas fired appliances are kind of serious.
Retired, but he will most definitely. Again, I just wanted to educate myself, Prior to him coming out. Totally appreciate that tho!
Best advice is to let your dad do the install and provide him with the money to buy what he suggests. Gas is not a joke and you can damage you and your families health. For example, if you had put that regular atmospheric water heater in place hooked up to the white plastic vent pipe then the plastic would have been burnt and begin to melt after some use. That plastic pipe when burned gives of very toxic fumes that will hurt you and your family. Also when you are done make sure you get the permit pulled as the modification of any gas appliance needs the permit pulled in almost every state.
Much appreciated! That is 100% the plan haha I’m just there to hand him tools and moral support! I just wanted to try and get a better understanding with an open dialogue! We won’t be going to that 50 gal. We will be going with the same model 75 gal power center for simplicity! Thank you for the tips!
Get a Rheem direct vent at HD. You can’t buy Bradford White.
Thank you! I like this option!
Menards has a 50 gallon power vent as well
Don’t buy that Richmond junk
What’s your recommendation?
Not sure if you can buy it yourself but if your dad is a plumber get a Bradford white(only sold supply houses) made in America
Bradford White
Bradford White
Bradford white
The 50 is natural draft. Has to go into a masonry or stainless vent (chimney). Your 75 is a direct vent. Apples and oranges.
Thank you! I’ve realized that and will be sticking with a direct vent if I even have to replace it. Looking at the Rheem 50 gal power vent. Going to evaluate the leak tomorrow and hopefully we can just replace the pipes and anode rod!
If that tank is over 10 years old with original anode rod, i wouldn’t count on it being decent inside. And you’ll need a pretty good impact wrench to loosen up the anode rod. They don’t want them replaced. You won’t likely get it out with just a wrench, even with a big cheater (your dad will know what i said 😅).
Go tankless
Why not a good tankless unit??
Might have to consider it - this isn’t our forever home that’s my only hang up right now
Would save on gas usage and also be a nice bonus for the next homeowner! I personally like rinnai units but others have different opinions!
You could also go tankless. Tankless heaters are by definition power vent.
No they are not powervent by definition. I don’t know of any current models that aren’t powervent, but I still run into some old atmospheric tankless units from time to time. Bosch made them.
So, what you're saying is 99.98% are power vent, but you've come across a single model that completely negates my statement, huh? Your input was not necessary here.
Yeah boss. You said they are power vent “by definition”. A tankless water heater is by definition a water heater that heats domestic water without relying on storage capacity to meet demand draw. There’s no part of that definition that requires a specific type of venting, and it would be an incorrect definition if you said they had to be powervented as not all of them are. Atmospheric indirect tankless systems are also not uncommon.
Actually, indirect tankless heaters still have a blower motor allowing them to vent horizontally. By definition, power vent. Nice try though. You'll get it one day
I don’t think you know what an indirect tankless heater is. Plenty of them are atmospheric, but they can be powervented as well. Most in my area are powervented, but atmospheric is common back east.
You're not generating 200,000 btu without forced air
Here’s a 4,000,000 BTU water heater with a category I vent. You’re gonna need to find 32” b-vent to install it. https://mpnboilers.com/product/raytherm-water-heaters-2100-4001/ See mom? No fan! https://www.parts4heating.com/v/vspfiles/explodedViews/Raypak-Raytherm-2100-4001.html
You should really STFU. The small unit requires a 2' wide vent. Completely not applicable to this situation. Let me reiterate, your input was absolutely unnecessary here. STFU.
Well, you said you can’t do anything over 200,000 without a fan so I figured I’d show you some bigger boys. 20x what you thought was impossible should be convincing, no? They make smaller ones too. The smallest Raytherm is a 511,000 btu. That’d be a 10” vent. But go into different product lines and you’ll find even smaller. Anyhow, so much for 200,000 btu being some kind of cutoff requiring a power vent.
I would find someone to install a navien tankless, nothing else. Save you money each month, and endless hot water. Have also found them to be more reliable than tanked water heaters.
You on meth?
He just doesn’t understand they aren’t interchangeable.
Aside from the leaking hot pipe, is there any reason you need to replace the water heater? That unit looks pretty new.
Not really. The corroded pipe on the left is leaking from the top and the hot on the right is leaking at the top as well. It’s 10 years old this Feb other than that I didn’t think I needed a new one. Had a guy come out and told me it was “deemed” and it would be 6k to replace. That’s when I called my step dad etc and ya. He hasn’t even looked at it yet. We’re just going by what that plumber said. Hopefully when he comes over tomorrow we just need to replace a few pipes (which is what I was hoping for!) thoughts?
10 years is about the average life, but that’s just it: an average. Anecdotally, I’ve seen water heaters 20+ years old and running fine. If it were me, I would replace the leaking fittings, resolder, replace the anode rod and call it a day.
Thank you! That would be soooo ideal! I’m definitely hoping he’s thinking the same thing! Regardless I’ll prob suggest that before we spend the cash unless he thinks it’s “deemed”
You growing "tomatoes" in that tent?
lol 😅😅
That dialectric union didn’t fare too well here.
Your heater is a powervent if you don’t have a chimney that your furnace or boiler is connected to then you need to stay with powervent. How many bathrooms are in the house? Any soaking tub in master bathroom?. You can install a 50 gal powervent. I’d recommend using a Bradford White water heaters it’s a good brand and do t have many problems with them. But I guess take what your plumbers use
Thank you! We have 3 bathrooms and a soaker tub in our master (that we never use) my step dad is a retired plumber so idk if he will be able to get a Bradford White but we’ll see what he thinks today
Yeah I would suggest a 75 gallon then cause the soaking tub takes up a lot of Hot water.