Proper Vent for Gas Heaters

In the middle of a cold winter, any homeowner wants to ensure that his residence is being heated effectively and safely. One way to address the venting of a gas-burning heater is to use draft hoods.

Identification

• A draft hood is a venting option you can install over your gas heater. The hood usually comes with three or four "legs" and is positioned over the vent hole of the heater. Like all mechanisms, the draft hood can be subject to disrepair and must be observed for signs of potential danger.

Function

• Gas heaters operate through combustion and for this process oxygen is needed. The hood furnishes the heater with an "extra air" input making its output more effective. It then extracts the resulting gases out of the heater and into the piping and/or chimney. The flow of air offered by the draft hood also protects the flame in the heater from going out.

Considerations and Warnings

• Perhaps the most critical danger presented by the gas heater is carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure that corrosion and other forms of damage have not jeopardized the hood's integrity. Make certain that the hood you install corresponds in size to the heater you have and that the same is true of the piping routed out. If at all possible, always involve the opinion of a professional installer or contractor.