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Glossary

atmospheric venting

:  venting of combustion byproducts through a vertical metal pipe

or masonry chimney.  Because combustion byproducts are warmer than the surround-
ing air, they rise naturally to dissipate in the atmosphere.

boiler

: a self-contained gas-burning appliance for supplying steam or hot water for

heating

Btu

:  British thermal unit, a common measurement of energy content, equals the

amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree
Fahrenheit

chimney

:  one or more passageways, vertical or nearly so, for conveying flue or vent

gases to the outside atmosphere

combo heater

:  a single gas appliance that provides forced-air space-heating and hot

water

CSST

:   corrugated stainless steel tubing, a flexible piping used instead of rigid black

pipe to distribute natural gas within a building

degree rise

:  the difference in temperature between the water at the beginning and

end of the heating cycle

dip-tube

:  the pipe that carries incoming cold water to the bottom of a water heater

tank

direct-vent

:  equipment designed to have all combustion gases vented through an

exterior wall.  Direct vent equipment can also have a second pipe that brings air from
the outside into the combustion chamber. These units are also called "sealed combus-
tion" units.

DOE

:  the U.S. Department of Energy

energy factor (EF)

:  a measurement of water heater energy efficiency based on how

efficiently the energy source heats water, the unit’s standby losses and the energy lost
as the unit cycles on and off

flue

:  a passage to take combustion products from a fuel-burning appliance to the out-

doors

foot-print

:  the area of floor space taken up by the water heater 

hydronic

:  a term for heating systems that use circulated hot water or steam created

by a boiler

input rating

:  the amount of fuel energy that flows into a gas appliance over time. It is

usually measured in Btu per hour.

masonry chimney

:  a chimney of solid masonry units, including brick, stone or other

materials, usually lined with clay or metal flues

pilot

:  a small flame used to ignite the gas in the main burner of an appliance.  A pilot

may be standing (constantly burning) or intermittent (on demand).

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Summary of Contents for Natural Gas Water Heaters

Page 1: ...Buyer s Guide Natural Gas Water Heaters Buyer s Guide Natural Gas Water Heaters ...

Page 2: ...ater can operate for about half the cost of an electric water heater although the natural gas unit may cost a little more to buy Natural gas water heaters come in a wide range of sizes and features so you can easily select one that meets your family s needs This publication will help you find the natural gas water heater that is right for your home and your budget x Contents Steps For Selecting a ...

Page 3: ... tanks also contain an anode rod composed of one or more metals which attracts corrosion away from the rest of the tank s components Because the water in the storage tank is kept at a constant temperature 24 hours a day some heat is lost even when no hot water faucet is on This is called stand by heat loss Newer water heaters have more insulation to help reduce stand by heat loss The natural gas b...

Page 4: ...certified by a nationally recognized laboratory that tests to national standards Size and Capacity The best way to determine the size of the equipment you need is the water heater s first hour rating or recovery rate This is the maximum amount of hot water that can be heated and supplied in one hour starting with a cold tank of water First hour ratings for natural gas storage water heaters range f...

Page 5: ...nging from 0 52 to 0 65 Note While electric water heaters have higher EFs than gas water heaters that doesn t mean they will be more eco nomic to operate because electricity costs considerably more than natural gas for the same amount of energy For 1999 the U S Department of Energy DOE estimates that natural gas for residential customers on a national average basis will cost 6 88 per million Btu a...

Page 6: ...ented water heaters are designed for installations where vertical chimneys or flues are not available or would be more expensive to install The vents go directly through an outside wall and can also bring in combustion air to the gas burner Most of these units require zero clearance at the sides and rear which allows them to be installed in a small area Fan assisted or power vented gas water heate...

Page 7: ... you can save money and energy by installing a fiberglass insulation jacket around your water heater and the water pipes Don t cover air inlets valves faucets controls or pipes at the bottom or at the top near the exhaust vent Follow the manufacturer s installation instructions Safety Tips Temperature Settings Water heaters are shipped with the temperature setting at its lowest point usually 120 d...

Page 8: ...ater to the bottom of a water heater tank direct vent equipment designed to have all combustion gases vented through an exterior wall Direct vent equipment can also have a second pipe that brings air from the outside into the combustion chamber These units are also called sealed combus tion units DOE the U S Department of Energy energy factor EF a measurement of water heater energy efficiency base...

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