I am asking about this here as we are in Ontario and one of you may know about changes in the codes for heating etc......We have lived here since 2007 and I assume everything was good then.
Here's the deal.......Union Gas came out today to change the gas meter. I got a letter from them last month saying it was time to do this. When he did this, he wanted to inspect our equipment. He cited 2 problems, one the venting on the water heater. Said it was the wrong water heater for the chimney that we have. This is a rental water heater from Reliance that was installed in 2010. He said to call Reliance to get the water heater changed to the type for our chimney. I did this and they are setting up for someone to come out. However, the citation says "Venting used outdoors must be certified for outdoor use"........The chimney is an insulated pipe as far as I can tell about 6 inches in diameter.....Its been this way since we moved in, probably long before. My furnace used to be tied into this chimney also, but is now vented by a plastic pipe out the wall.
The other citation is for a gas fireplace we have. Its on a separate chimney pipe that is beside the other one....The citation says the same thing about the venting to be certified for outdoor use.
I was at work when this was done, wish I had taken the day off.....
My question about all this is.....anyone know about changes in the codes etc for these things?...Can a home heating guy certify these chimneys?......I have never had any problem with these, no gas smell or anything. I am sure this is going to cost me money.
They both "look" like "B" vent which was used in a lot of usages when I did gas fitting yrs ago. I'm not "up' on new codes but can't see a problem if piping is not rotted out???
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Does the vent from the basement have a Tee on the bottom, if so they were outlawed a few years back because the bottoms would rot out and allow flue gas back into the building.
Also you need to insure that the b-vent in the pictures is insulated, not just an air gap the insulated B-vent is to keep it from condensing making it rated for outdoors.
I'm also not current on the latest code as I'm in management and not as hands any longer. It would have been helpful if the tech doing his job to HELP you would elaborate and not be such a DICK. Its his obligation however he could make things clearer so you the customer will understand.
No "T"....the pipe goes straight from the water heater to the pipe going through the wall.....I think it used to have that when the furnace was also hooked up to that chimney, but they took it out when the new water heater was installed and the high efficiency furnace put in with its own plastic vent.. How do I tell if the chimney is insulated with some material rather than just air? Tear it apart? I am going to talk to a heating and plumbing guy I deliver to tomorrow. I need to set up to get my furnace checked over before fall anyways.
Thanks for the input guys.....seems like its always something.....lol
There may be a sticker on the side with the brand and Model # it may be a local supplier like Don Park (now owned by Noble Trade) they may be able to help with identification.
The pipe is not real expensive that said you need a gas fitter to instal it, so either way you are correct it will be an unwanted cost.
B vent is for interior use or inclosed exterior having it open to the weather is the problem
Thanks........Funny thing is, its been there for years, was installed as far as I know by professional installers, although I dont have any paperwork on that. I bought the house 8 years ago this way.....with a house inspection.
I'm sure the installer was told that section would be boxed in to the eves after he finished . Thats why the siding is cut to resemble a chimney . Above the roof line is OK have someone local look at it. But looking at the picture this appears to be the issue
B vent is for interior use or inclosed exterior having it open to the weather is the problem
Thanks........Funny thing is, its been there for years, was installed as far as I know by professional installers, although I dont have any paperwork on that. I bought the house 8 years ago this way.....with a house inspection.
You mentioned " with a house inspection". From my experience house inspectors are a waste of time and money. I bought my house 4 years ago and had it inspected. The big hint that I was in trouble should have been the WHITE CANE he was carrying. Not all inspectors are bad , but not all inspectors are good either. Had similar furnace and fireplace problems here so I feel your pain.
Dont get me started on the house inspector I had.......I am sure there are good ones, but this guy missed lots of stuff. He didnt even notice that the water softener wasnt even plugged in. Once we were in the house and noticed the water wasnt right, I found that the water softener was on its last legs....I managed to rebuild parts of it so it worked a few years until we could get a whole new system. Overall the house is solid, but he missed a lot of the little "piss you off" things.
Back on subject, I talked to an HVAC guy today and he said it has been illegal to use the B vent outside for the last 20 years or so. He said my best bet with the gas fireplace, due to its age (20 years) is to cap off the gas line to it and take down the chimney so it will just be a decoration....In a couple of years, I should be able to put in a new, more modern one. My wife also talked to the Reliance installer and they are coming Friday to see about the water heater.
I'm a gas fitter and Sheet Metal Mechanic, Slim hit the nail on the head.
The Type "B" vent is not certified for outdoor use and I'm surprised you haven't been infracted already
You can keep it but will have to box it in and insulate the area you box in, you may even have to vapor barrier the inside of the box as the venting has to be on the warm side of the enclosure.
If your water heater is vented into the 6" vent ,and the furnace use to be tied to it as well than the vent is now too large. If the vent is too large than the stack temperature won't be hot enough to properly induce draft and you risk a chance on CO spilling into your home.
You can pull a 4" chimney liner through the 6" B vent for the water heater
Reliance tried jerking me around a few weeks ago when we bought a rental house. It had a Reliance rental gas water heater that had a leak. They came out, and told me that the chimney needed a liner before they would replace heater, and cost would be$7-800. Told them where they could go, and put in a electric heater.
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