If you’re looking for a new water heating solution, then you will be sure to come across power vent models. A power vent water heater has become one of the most popular choices for home use as it offers numerous benefits.

When choosing a new water heater to install, you will need to make sure that you pick the right unit for your space and needs. Let’s take a deeper look into what one is, and when to use one.

What is a Power Vent Water Heater

There are two different types of vent water heaters available – power and direct. Basically, your heater will produce harmful combustion gasses which need to be pushed out of the home. The kind of venting system used is what sets these two types of heaters apart.

A power vent water heater differs from the older direct vent water heaters in terms of where the venting is found. Direct vent models can only be attached to your home’s chimney, where the gasses are vertically expelled from the heater.

With a power vent model, the vents exhaust horizontally out of a pipe. This does not have to be connected to the chimney and can be directed anywhere out of the building. The ‘power’ part refers to an additional fan or blower that pushes these exhaust gasses.

With these types of water heaters, the blower will always require a separate source of power. Sometimes you will have a gas water heater, but then still need an electrical supply for the venting.

When to Use a Power Vent Water Heater

Like with any unit being installed in your home, power vent water heaters come with their pros and cons. These models are an amazing choice when used in the right space and installed correctly.

The first, and most important, thing to note about these heaters is that their venting system allows them to be placed practically anywhere. While direct vent heaters can only be installed where there is a chimney, power vent models are a lot more versatile. You will just need a space for a horizontal pipe to run out of the heater. Other than this, they can easily be incorporated into the design of your home. So, if you do not have access to a chimney, or require the heater to be placed in a difficult position, then power vent models are a good choice.

Another benefit of these models is that they use a powered fan or blower to push out the exhaust fumes. This means that the risk of backdrafting is way lower, making these units safer to have in the house.

Unfortunately, a power vent type will require a source of electricity, so they will need to be placed somewhere with access to this. These models can also be a little bit noisier sometimes, thanks to the fan. This means that they are often best placed in areas that are a little bit removed from the main living areas.

Rheem 42000BTU Power Vent Water Heater Review

If you are considering installing a power vent water heater, then be sure to check out the Rheem 50 gal. residential gas water heater. This model is one of the best in its class, with some standout features and design elements.

Rheem is always a leading name in household water heaters, and this power vent model is no exception. Read on for a full review of this powerful product below.

About the Rheem 50 gal. Residential Gas Water Heater

This sleek and efficient water heater is a smart choice for just about any household. Rheem has managed to design a unit that can easily fit into your home, and provide you with a strong supply of hot water. With a 50 gallon capacity, this heater will provide plenty of water throughout the household.

This model is gas-powered – something that many people prefer thanks to its heating efficiency. However, you will still require an electrical source to power the blower in the venting system.

The blower included with this heater makes it an easy product to fit into different spaces too. As long as there is a point for the vent to release outside the house, you can easily incorporate this heater into various places. The blower also runs very quietly, which is a big benefit for these kinds of heaters.

The Rheem 50 gal. is also about as eco-friendly as they get, with low emissions and an environmentally safe burner. It is also easy to monitor and service thanks to its electronic gas control. Overall this is a smart unit that can effectively be incorporated into most homes.

Let’s take a more in-depth look into some of the prominent features of this unit.

Stand Out Features

50 gal. Tank Capacity

One of the first things to take note of when buying a new water heater is what kind of tank capacity it has. This Rheem model can hold 50 gallons, which is a good size for any typical residential heater.

Recovery Rate

The recovery rate is an important aspect of any tank water heater. This refers to how quickly the heater can heat up again once it starts to use up its water supply. The faster the recovery rate, the better.

This Rheem heater has a rate of 32.4 to 42.4 for its 50-gallon models. This is at a 90-degree rise. The first-hour recovery is at 87 gph. Essentially, this means that the unit recovers quickly and efficiently, allowing for speedy heating of water while in use.

Temperature Range

This is a versatile heater that can cover a pretty wide range of temperatures. The heater can run between 80°F to 160°F. The temperature can be fully controlled and easily monitored.

Size

This power vent water heater has dimensions of 21 x 21 x 65 inches. The whole unit is very slim and sleek looking with an attractive grey finish. While water heaters never look that good in a home, this one can fit in quite easily.

Self Diagnostic System

One of the top features of this Rheem heater is its clever self-diagnostic system. This includes electronic controls to handle the gas. Not only does this make controlling the unit far easier, but it also allows for improved monitoring and service.

The heater also includes a handy adjustment dial at the bottom to help you regulate and monitor the temperature. There is also a blinking light used to indicate the status of the heater.

Low Emissions

One of the great things about this modern water heater is the fact that it produces very low emissions. This Rheem model uses an eco-friendly burner with a specialized low NOx design. Emissions can often be a problem when it comes to vented water heaters, but this one is about as good as they get in this field.

What We Like

• A fast and efficient water heater
• A gas-fuelled heater with low emissions
• Fast recovery rate
• The blower on the power vent system runs very quietly
• The heater has a smart and easy to manage self-diagnostic system
• The 50-gallon capacity is ideal for household use
• The unit looks great, and can easily be incorporated into different spaces

Minor Drawbacks

• This water heater will require a source of both gas and electricity
• The installation will require you to connect gas, electric, and install the correct venting system

How to Use This Rheem Water Heater

Power Venting

As this is a power vent water heater, properly installing the venting system is one of the most important aspects of the unit. This heater comes with a power vent and a blower. This blower exits the tank from a horizontal pipe, which then needs to be connected to an outdoor vent. This exhaust is a 3” PVC channel.

Although the water heater is fueled by gas, the power vent will require an electrical connection. This will need a 120v power supply next to the tank.

Fortunately, the blower on this product is much quieter than most other power vent heaters. In fact, you will hardly notice it while in use. This makes it a great choice for anyone that needs to install a water heater somewhere central in their home.

Fuel

This water heater uses natural gas to stay heated. This is utilized through low NOx burners that produce very low emissions. As mentioned above, you will still require an additional 120v of electricity to power the blower on the vent.

Control

Electronic controls on the heater allow you to be in charge of, and monitor, the gas usage. There is also a useful temperature control dial and indicator light to keep you aware of how hot the system is running.

Here are some benefits of using a water heater like this:

• The heater does not require chimney access for venting, and can easily be positioned around the home
• An eco-friendly water heater, and it is also economic to use in the long run
• The water heater is easy to control
• Maintenance and monitoring of the unit is made simple

Final Thoughts

If you are planning on installing a new hot water system for your family to use, then you could consider a power vent water heater. These devices are popular choices in homes today thanks to their efficiency and ease of use. The Rheem 50 gallon heater has got to be one of our top picks in this category. Anyone looking to upgrade their current heater should definitely consider this product.

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