I had a mechanical company come in and do work on my 60 gallon AO Smith water heater. When they finished they said i needed to install a 14 inch by 8 inch vent in the bottom of my motor room at the car wash to ensure the Heater gets enough air for combustion due to it being a sealed room. But its not a sealed room. I have a 14 inch by 16 inch vent in the ceiling leading to the attic, the change machine lets air in, the main door lets air in, the 2 money boxes let air through and the holes in the ceiling with electrical wiring let air in so to me its not a sealed room. Anyone have knowledge of this issue in Canada. If i pu a grate in down low it will be easy to break in for thieves! Thx
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forced to put an air vent in control room were water heater is in Ontario Canada
- Thread starter partonken
- Start date
washnshine
Well-known member
I am not disputing your points about the air flow you already have, but it’s my guess that there is a formula for the square footage of the room and vent size that has to be designated for the air flow, and where it has to be located. Maybe they don’t consider the doors, change machines etc. as large enough and/or being open consistently enough to meet their specifications for constant air flow. Just a guess.
Eric H
Well-known member
Appliances that use the room are need a significant amount of make up air to ensure proper combustion. The poorly sealed equipment room may have enough leak that it satisfies the appliance needs but the mechanical contractor needs to cover his a$$.
If you switch to a high efficiency model you won’t need any makeup air. HE uses PVC to bring outside air in and exhausts through another PVC pipe.
How long has your 60 gallon tank been in place? If makeup air has been sufficient for years you may not have an issue. If you start sealing up holes you may run into trouble fairly quickly.
If you switch to a high efficiency model you won’t need any makeup air. HE uses PVC to bring outside air in and exhausts through another PVC pipe.
How long has your 60 gallon tank been in place? If makeup air has been sufficient for years you may not have an issue. If you start sealing up holes you may run into trouble fairly quickly.
Put an round 8 or 10 inch exhaust type fan in your ceiling from attic ( with flow going into equipment room). Tie it into your boiler ingnition. This forces air into the room, thus providing the needed combustion air. No floor vent needed. I have had this setup at my washes since opening. I even lay a pleated filter across the intake side to keep the air cleanish.
soapy
Senior Member
Most modern boilers are setup with a exhaust that has a two way pipe. one side will bring in outside air for combustion and one is used for exhaust. My first wash 30 years ago required a similar sized vent in the door but have not put in one without dual exhaust for 25 years. Not having enough air will lead to sooting and low efficiency.
The vent to the attic space doesn't qualify as combustion air because it is still inside the building. The contractor is required to advise you of the combustion air requirement because it is code and they are responsible if you suffer carbon monoxide poisoning. If they advised you and you don't do it, then it is on you, not them.
