Water heaters must be surrounded by a certain amount of clearance, or air space, to function properly and safely. A clearance area of 12 inches is required on all sides of a hot water heater. A certain amount of airflow is also required for proper combustion and ventilation.

How much clearance is needed around a hot water heater?

Minimum clearances between the water heater and combustible and noncombustible construction are 0” at the sides and rear, 4” at the front, and 6” from the vent pipe. Clearance from the top of the draft hood is 12”. Refer to the label on the water heater located adjacent to the gas control valve for all clearances.

Can you put walls around a water heater?

You can enclose the water heater by building a wall around it and constructing a utility closet.

How far should Wall be from furnace?

30 inches As a general recommendation, your heater should be 30 inches away from furnace room walls on all sides. This allows our service experts to comfortably replace it. You also need to check the space has enough airflow and ventilation, especially if you have an aging furnace with a metal flue.

Does water heater closet need to be vented?

The Vent. When a residential, gas fired water heater is installed in a closet, the heater combustion gases must be vented to the outside of the residence and the fresh air needed for combustion must be drawn in from outside the home using double wall metal pipe; single wall pipe is not permitted.

What kind of drywall goes around a water heater?

2 Answers. Modern codes generally require 5/8 fire-rated drywall (Type X) between a garage and the living areas of a house. Double check with your local city/county/state as they may have more stringent requirements. Check your local codes and consider talking with your insurer.

Can you build walls around furnace?

Moving the furnace can be expensive and impractical -- if not impossible -- so your best choice is to conceal it from view. This can be done by placing walls around the appliance and hanging a furnace room door to create a dedicated furnace room.

Do water heaters give off carbon monoxide?

Home furnaces and water heaters are a major source of carbon monoxide poisoning, usually from poorly vented fuel sources or leaking vent pipes. Ideally, you should have your furnace and water heater inspected by a professional at least once a year.

Can a water heater be in a closet?

Water heaters can be installed in bedroom or bathroom closets, if necessary or preferred, but only if theyre an electric, direct vent or sealed combustion chamber unit.

Does a furnace closet need ventilation?

Ventilating a closet is generally easy to do. Furnaces have their own supply and exhaust vents that need to be installed along with the unit. For safety, you need the required venting, but as long as you extend pipes to the roof or outside walls, you do not need to worry about the closet.

How much venting should a furnace room have?

Most furnace rooms need vents. 1 sq. inch of venting near the ceiling. The minimum area for each vent is 100 square inches (10 x 10 inches).

How can you tell if your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide?

How to tell if your furnace is leaking carbon monoxideHeavy condensation appearing on windows where the furnace is installed.Sooty stains are appearing around the furnace. The physical appearance of soot, smoke, fumes or back daft in the house from the furnace.A burning like/ overheating smell.More items •Apr 9, 2020