Gas Water Heater Installation in North York

Types of gas tank

• Atmospheric vent. Exhaust rises through a chimney or B-vent by natural draft. Simple, but depends on a good chimney.
• Power vent. A fan pushes exhaust through plastic pipe out a side wall. Useful when the chimney is no longer suitable.
• Direct vent. Draws combustion air from outside and exhausts through the wall without a fan.

The right type depends on where the tank sits, what venting exists and whether the furnace still shares the chimney.

Venting in North York homes

Many postwar houses here were built with a masonry chimney serving both the furnace and the water heater. When a new high-efficiency furnace starts venting out a side wall, the water heater is left alone in a large, cold chimney. That can cause poor draft and condensation. A liner or a switch to power vent is often the fix.

The installation

1. Check the gas line size and condition back to the meter.
2. Confirm clearances and combustion air.
3. Set the tank, connect water with shut-offs and a relief discharge pipe.
4. Connect gas with a drip leg and a shut-off valve.
5. Install and test venting, then light and check for leaks and spillage.

Every gas connection belongs to a certified gas technician, and it may need to be registered or inspected under Ontario rules.

Other choices

If space is tight or demand is high, a tankless unit may suit you better. If the existing tank only needs a part, see water heater repair.