JayCarey

I know that you say get an electric hot water heater with a smile. But, is this a viable option as the gas hot water heater I currently have is 20 years old. Does this potentially solve my problem? Is it a bad idea to replace a gas hot water heater with an electric hot water heater? Thanks.

I had a chimney company run a new stainless steel liner down my chimney and this is how they connected the furnace and water heater to connect to the liner in the chimney. At the time, I suspected there may be something wrong with this setup but not being an expert, did not question. Further research, on sites such as this, made me suspect potential problems. Previously, the water heater and furnace had 2 separate vent pipes running to a clay lined chimney with the water heater vent pipe above the furnace vent pipe. I believe this was a good venting situation. Now, there is only one connection into the stainless steel chimney liner and the picture posted is how the chimney lining company solved the venting of 2 units (furnace and water heater) into 1 liner opening. I have no intention of going back to the chimney liner company for a solution to this issue. I suppose my path forward is to call my HVAC company and have them examine and correct the issue. Do you have ideas as to how I will be able to successfully vent both water heater and furnace into one chimney liner opening? Any help would be appreciated. I just want to be able to speak intelligently with whomever I hire to resolve this issue. Thanks.

Please see attached picture. A furnace (on left) and water heater (on right) are connected to a single single wall pipe which feeds directly into B vent pipe at a distance of about a foot from the single wall pipe. The B vent pipe cannot be seen in the picture but runs behind the furnace for about 6 feet to a newly installed B vent chimney flue (run inside an old clay lined chimney). Is it okay to connect both the furnace and water heater to a single pipe as shown in the picture? When both appliances are running will a backdraft be created through the water heater? Is this safe? Thanks for your help Download Attachment: IMG_0116.JPG 1511.28?KB Click to Enlarge 44.77 KB