A guide to gas water heater troubleshooting.
Gas hot water heater venting problems.
The odor is added as a safety feature.
Smith power vent gas water heaters are equipped with an electric blower fan that is installed on top of the water heater which requires an electrical outlet to be close to the water heater.
In our experience and opinion the direct termination of a gas fired water heater into a large masonry flue as illustrated just above is likely to give serious venting problems particularly in cold weather when the heater is the only appliance venting into the chimney.
The most common problems.
If for some reason gas is allowed to escape without being ignited you can get an explosive situation.
Back drafting is usually the result of an inadequate vent design.
See the article on how to troubleshoot gas water heater problems for a complete listing of issues and the resources to solve the problems.
If the water heater is not producing hot water it can be due to a malfunction in the.
Gas water heaters troubleshooting guide common problems heater does not heat the water.
Gas has an odor to it that you are probably familiar with.
Troubleshooting low performance insufficient hot water pilot light problems improper gas combustion issues with the pilot light thermocouple gas burner venting and other common issues.
Gas hot water heater venting problems.
Improper venting can release carb.
Probably the most fundamental and obvious complaint about a water heater this has an equally fundamental solution.
Not sure if this is your problem.
I smell gas something you hear or say from time to time is not from smelling the gas.
You see this most commonly with atmospheric configurations and it means that your exhaust isn t leaving the home.
All water heaters that burn natural gas or liquid propane lp gas require a venting system.
Atmospheric venting refers to a system in which exhaust from the water heater naturally rises out of the appliance s combustion chamber then travels up through a standard chimney style flue.
One problem you need to avoid is back drafting.
The danger with a gas hot water heater is the gas itself.
The venting can run either vertically or horizontally with a longer line to help with space and sizing issues within your.
The process of burning of the gas is called combustion and it creates heat exhaust gases including highly poisonous carbon monoxide and moisture the water heater s ventilation system removes these byproducts from the home making it a critical safety feature.
The first thing to check would be the draft on the water heater vent.