Innovation Series & ReCon Water Heater
GF-5050
Venting and Combustion Air Guide
TAG-0043_0Q
12/01/2016
AERCO International, Inc.
•
100 Oritani Dr.
•
Blauvelt, New York 10913
•
Phone: 800-526-0288
Page
19
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39
3.
VENT SYSTEM
The heater vent is fundamental for correct operation. Being a condensing heater, combustion gases
are discharged at a very low temperature. It is therefore necessary for the venting system to be
perfectly impermeable to combustion products condensate and to be made of corrosion resistant
materials. Typical Category IV venting and ducted combustion air illustrations are shown in Figures 3
through 7. The various funnel joints shall be well sealed and/or equipped with suitable gaskets, in
order to avoid any condensate drain and/or air intake. Ensure that the heater’s vent section and height
conform to national and local regulations (see Section 1.2 APPLICABLE FEDERAL CODES of this
guide).
The exhaust vent system must be pitched back toward the water heater unit by a minimum of 1/4 inch
per foot (21 mm/m) of duct length to enable condensate to drain back to the unit for disposal. Low
spots in the vent must be avoided to prevent the condensate from collecting.
The condensate trap assembly is located directly below the exhaust manifold. Plastic hose should be
connected to the trap assembly and run to drain. Care should be taken to avoid hose kinks and to
avoid raising the hose above the trap assembly. Condensate should flow freely to drain. The
condensate-to-drain run must not be hard-piped so the trap can be removed periodically for
maintenance purposes.
If the condensate must be lifted above the trap assembly to a drain, it should be drained into a sump.
From there, a pump can lift the condensate away.
Innovation and ReCon units will produce the following maximum condensate quantities in the full
condensing mode:
INNOVATION
RECON
INN600
4.5 gallons per hour
ReCon 1000
8 gallons per hour
0.28 L/min
0.50 L/min
INN800
6 gallons per hour
0.38 L/min
INN1060
8 gallons per hour
0.50 L/min
INN1350
INN1400
11 gallons per hour
0.69 L/min
Condensate drain systems must be sized for full condensing mode.
In multiple water heater applications, it is common to manifold these drains together in a plastic pipe
manifold to a floor drain. Condensate manifolds must be large enough to handle the anticipated flow
and must be properly secured and protected. Manifolds are generally located behind the units so that
short runs of plastic tubing into the manifold can be used for the condensate drain. A base drain must
be installed at the bottom of vertical common flue piping.
The pH level of the condensate produced by AERCO water heaters ranges between 3.0 and 3.2. The
installation should be designed in accordance with local codes that specify acceptable pH limits. If
required, any type of commercially available neutralizer may be used. For water heaters designed for
connection to gas vents or chimneys, vent installations shall be in accordance with Part 7, Venting
of Equipment, of the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1, or Section 7, Venting Systems and Air
Supply for Appliances, of the CAN/CSA B149, Installation Codes, or applicable provisions of the
local building codes.
