Hi. I'm new to this forum, and very much in need of help. Would really appreciate some feedback. Our water heater is "spilling" according to the energy audit, which apparently means it's not drafting properly. I really need to find a solution for this because I have spent a fair amount of money to diagnose and try to correct it, to no avail, and because I can't get any insulation (and the attic is EMPTY) until we resolve this. Here's all the info:
Just had an energy audit for my three-family home, so that we can use their great incentives to get insulation, etc. . There are three boilers and three hot water heaters venting into the same chimney (which is in the middle of the house)
One of the (gas) water heaters (circa 2007) fails the test; everything else passes. It was all initially tested on a hot day. A plumber came and told me that it failed because it was hot and the chimney was cold. He ran the hot water for a few minutes and, according to him, the draft was fine. The energy audit company came back and said that in accordance with their guidelines, it has to draft properly (and not spill C02, within one minute. They showed me that the c02 was a bit high and also that beneath the draft hood on top of the water heater when they used a flame, one side got sucked up quickly and the other side was backdrafting a bit on this particular water heater. The two water heaters furthest from the chimney (this one included) share a 4" vent pipe into the chimney. The energy company suggested increasing the upward slope of the pipe toward the chimney. We did that, but when the plumber came back, the C02 was still slightly high and one little area under the draft hood seemed to be backdrafting a bit. Other details:
- I had the chimney checked out. It is lined starting at 4 or 5 feet up; I also had it cleaned just in case that would help. There were no obstructions.
- It is a 100-year-old balloon frame house, so it's not exactly tight. It's a decent size basement, about 1200 sf, full height ceilings.
- this water heater is about 7 feet from the chimney but there is a decent upward slope toward the chimney
- previous owner had energy audits in the past, so I'm assuming the setup is ok and it passed previously.
- suggestions I've been given include separating this water heater onto its own pipe. Not sure if this would help or not.
- Not sure what it means that one side seems to draft okay and the other does not. Could this indicate that the water heater (the baffle?) needs repair? Or what?
Since the water heater is not that old (seven years), I'd prefer if there's a solution that does not require a new one. However, if I'm forced to buy a new one, I could use some advice about that:
1) I'd need to do it inexpensively; the property is new to me and it's a rental property. It will take a while before I am not losing money on it.
2) I won't benefit by paying more to have energy saving equipment, so the cost of the hot water heater and the installation is what concerns me most. Tenants pay for heat/hot water. Though believe me, I am sensitive to their concerns and have done many things to help them save energy.
3) the water heater is at least 7 or 8 feet from an outside wall and there's a window there. I don't know if direct venting is an option. It's not an option I want to choose if it's more expensive.
4) I don't think the energy audit company benefits (at least not in a way that I can see) by recommending a new hot water heater... they are not the ones who sell or install them.
Are there other things I can try before moving to replacing the hot water heater? And if not, what type of (gas) hot water heater is most economical? If I vent to the chimney with a new hot water heater, is it likely I'd have the same problem?
Thanks so much for your help!
Midge
jakethewonderdog
klem1
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