Is your water heater currently in an odd place, and you are looking to move it to a different part of your home? If so, this may not be as easy as it seems at first. The water heater could be where it is for a good reason, and changing the location could cause some problems you may not have thought of. Here are some things to consider when moving a water heater.

Know How The Water Heater Will Vent

Chances are that the current water heater in your home has a direct vent. This requires the tank to vent to the outside of your home, typically through a chimney, with the natural flow of the fumes flowing up an exhaust pipe. The direct vent exhaust pipe needs to be at a certain angle for the fumes to vent out of your home with no additional assistance, which his what often determines the initial position of a hot water heater.

If you decide to move the water heater to a new place, you most likely won't be able to use your existing hot water heater. You'll need to get a brand new water heater that has a power vent on it. It uses an electrical blower to push the fumes out from the water heater.

You will also need to check how much space you need between your home and the property line to vent the hot water heater. Every city has different regulations, and if there is a very small amount of space between the homes, you may not be able to vent a water heater in the place you want to do it.

Be Prepared To Install Electrical

Your gas powered water heater with a direct vent only requires gas for the unit to operate. Switching to a new model with a power vent will require electricity. This will add onto the cost of moving the unit if there is not an electrical line in the area, since a new electrical line will need to be installed.

Because the power vent model uses electricity to vent the fumes out of your home, it also means that you won't have hot water if you have a power outage. This is the complete opposite of what you are used to with a gas water heater.

Know That The Power Vent Can Be Loud

Power vents make noise when the blower is running, which is more than you are used to with a gas powered water heater. Be mindful of where you place the water heater because of this. For example, placing the water heater on a wall shared with a bedroom could cause disturbances when the blower turns. Be prepared to soundproof the room the water heater is in if noise is a concern.

For more info on relocating your home's water heater, speak with some reputable plumbers.