Hey everyone! I need some advice. We live in a house that's 160 years old, and the water heater in our basement vents into the very old chimney. I've been hearing strange sounds, almost like rocks, coming from inside one of the walls. Since we don't use the chimney for anything else, I'm worried it might crumble. How hard would it be to fix this situation? This is our first experience with such an old house, and I'm still figuring things out!
3 Answers
You could consider switching to a heat pump water heater. This alternative doesn't necessarily rely on a chimney for venting. If you do, you'll still need to figure out how to deal with your old chimney, but at least it could free you from some of the venting concerns!
It's definitely not impossible to change the venting for your water heater, but be prepared that it can be quite costly. Typically, these heaters vent toxic gases through chimneys, which is how they safely release them outside. If your chimney isn't lined with a steel liner, that's something you might want to consider getting done for safety. A chimney specialist can assess the condition of your chimney and install a liner if needed. As for venting elsewhere, it might be doable depending on your water heater's location, but the chimney generally is the safest option. If your chimney does crumble, it could be a significant structural issue, so if there's any doubt, get a pro in ASAP!
Another option is to go with a direct vent water heater. This type vents directly outside without needing a chimney to do the job. Like the heat pump, you’d need to address your old chimney, but it could simplify your water heating setup.
Thanks for the suggestion! What kind of maintenance does a heat pump water heater require?