Reznor heater venting questions

[specialk]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a used Reznor shop heater, and mounted it using uni strut in my garage. I've hooked up a gas line that we had installed when the house was built, so the next part of the process is venting the heater.

I found a kit that is used to vent the Mr. Heater Big Maxx heater, which includes the double wall pipe and vents cheaper than it would have cost me to buy all separately, so I figured that I'd use that for venting. The question that I have is that if I'm venting this horizontally out the back of the garage, can I just use a hole saw to cut a hole in the wall/siding for the vent? Also, since we have lap siding, how do I install flashing around the vent so that there are not gaps between the siding and the vent (because the siding isn't level)? Final question- since this is an older model heater with a standing pilot- should I be concerned with the pilot igniting any fumes from my solvent tank or if I use a spray cleaner underneath it on my workbench? It seems like there's a spark igniter conversion kit for the heater, so I may look into that if necessary..

If it helps anyone answer my questions, I can take pictures and post them later.

Any advice/help is appreciated!

 

[brewchief]

Standing pilot makes me think that this is not a power vented heater, if it's natural draft it will not be able to be sidewall vented and it will have to go though the roof. Got a model # or a pic?

 

[specialk]

Hi, the model is F25- you are correct, it is a gravity vented unit, but according to the install manual here-

https://www.rezspec.com/catalog-f.html#tabs-pdflit

It can be vented horizontally (in fact that's the way the exhaust vent is installed from the factory) with a 1/4" rise per foot on the exhaust run..

Standing pilot makes me think that this is not a power vented heater, if it's natural draft it will not be able to be sidewall vented and it will have to go though the roof. Got a model # or a pic?

 

[brewchief]

Hi, the model is F25- you are correct, it is a gravity vented unit, but according to the install manual here-

https://www.rezspec.com/catalog-f.html#tabs-pdflit

It can be vented horizontally (in fact that's the way the exhaust vent is installed from the factory) with a 1/4" rise per foot on the exhaust run..

I see nowhere in that manual anything about horizontally venting without a powerventer option, you can have a horizontal vent connector going to a gas vent or chimney and that connector would need a 1/4" rise per foot but that style of heater needs a vertical vent.

 

[specialk]

Looks like you're right- I stopped before seeing the horizontal vent accessory- so am I correct in reading that if I put a horizontal vent with a vertical portion outside the house then I should be good?

I see nowhere in that manual anything about horizontally venting without a powerventer option, you can have a horizontal vent connector going to a gas vent or chimney and that connector would need a 1/4" rise per foot but that style of heater needs a vertical vent.

 

[brewchief]

Looks like you're right- I stopped before seeing the horizontal vent accessory- so am I correct in reading that if I put a horizontal vent with a vertical portion outside the house then I should be good?

Problem with that is getting enough vertical height to meet the venting chart requirements, even a 2 ft horizontal connector will require a 7' vertical, that will be very hard to support in most cases I've seen.

Can you go up through the roof near the heater?

 

[specialk]

Yeah, 7' would be a bit of a stretch- in order to vent through the roof, I'd have to cut an access hole into the space above the garage in order to route the vent. I think that I'll have to consider if doing that is worth it, or if I'm better off trying to save up for a shop heater with a power vent that I can vent horizontally.

Regarding the original question though, assuming that I get a unit that I can vent through the wall, how would I flash around the exterior vent where it came through the lap siding?

Problem with that is getting enough vertical height to meet the venting chart requirements, even a 2 ft horizontal connector will require a 7' vertical, that will be very hard to support in most cases I've seen.

Can you go up through the roof near the heater?

 

[6768rogues]

General rules are a one inch space between the B vent pipe and combustible material. A thimble is available.

 

[dave67fd]

Consider your local codes as well as the heater is not certified for residential use. Typically your garage is considered residentialy zoned, attached or detached.
Will the system require inspection? Some insurance companies won't insure unless it is inspected.

 

[specialk]

That's a good point. I never considered if using this would be an insurance risk.

Anyways, after pricing out what it would cost me to get the power vent kit, I've ordered one of the Mr Heater units that I can vent horizontally.

Can anyone tell me if I need to/should get my installation inspected after I hang and get the heater up and running? I know it wouldn't hurt, but I'd like to get the opinions of anyone else that might have done their own install before...

Consider your local codes as well as the heater is not certified for residential use. Typically your garage is considered residentialy zoned, attached or detached.
Will the system require inspection? Some insurance companies won't insure unless it is inspected.

 

[philjafo]

Go to where permits are issued, or call, if it needs to be inspected its likely you will need a permit before installation, every city/area has different rules and codes the only way to be sure is to ask the ones that enforce your local codes. If you ask nicely they may even give you a list of all the codes concerning garage heaters that you will need to comply with.

 

[nwav8tor]

That's a good point. I never considered if using this would be an insurance risk.

Anyways, after pricing out what it would cost me to get the power vent kit, I've ordered one of the Mr Heater units that I can vent horizontally.

Can anyone tell me if I need to/should get my installation inspected after I hang and get the heater up and running? I know it wouldn't hurt, but I'd like to get the opinions of anyone else that might have done their own install before...

Are you sure the Mr Heater can be vented horizontally in your area? I think it's allowed in Canada, but I'm not sure about everywhere in the states...

Paul

 

[dave67fd]

The heaters accept horizontal venting if installed per the manufacturers instructions BUT you must see what your towns codes will allow. They are allowed per NFPA codes but again your town/state takes juristiction.

My install (specifically the gas line) requires a licensed gas installer to pull the permit and then needs to be inspected by my local fire chief.

Don't cut corners on the installation. LP/NG can be deadly. If it malfunctions and burns down your garage/house and is determined that the fault is a faulty or incorrect installation at least if done by a licensed pro your insurance will cover you. If i installed and something went wrong i couldn;t live with myself even if i was confident i did it correctly.

Download the installation manual and learn the codes. Many people buy the heaters and vents before they realize they have issues with where and how it should be installed.

 

[specialk]

Well, I called the county permitting office and spoke to someone there- they said that I'd be able to pull the permit myself and that it would cost around $45. I was surprised that they were as helpful as they were, as they said that they could answer questions about the install and venting for me when I came in for the permit. My plan at this point is to pull the permit, install the heater and then pay someone to come out and check it out before I get the final done....

The heaters accept horizontal venting if installed per the manufacturers instructions BUT you must see what your towns codes will allow. They are allowed per NFPA codes but again your town/state takes juristiction.

My install (specifically the gas line) requires a licensed gas installer to pull the permit and then needs to be inspected by my local fire chief.

Don't cut corners on the installation. LP/NG can be deadly. If it malfunctions and burns down your garage/house and is determined that the fault is a faulty or incorrect installation at least if done by a licensed pro your insurance will cover you. If i installed and something went wrong i couldn;t live with myself even if i was confident i did it correctly.

Download the installation manual and learn the codes. Most people buy the heaters and vents before they realize the have issues with where and how it should be installed.

 

[dave67fd]

Sounds like a good move.
My town use to allow individuals to pull their own permit but times change. Mine was $65.

 

[acidise]

Hey, You said you are using solvents and a wash tank under the heater. any kind of solvent, spraycan propellant, glues, gasoline fumes, wood dust, can all rot out your burner prematurely, not to mention simply EXPLODE once it kicks in. I suggest a separated combustion unit that eats outside air for burning. I'm trying to find one right now actually. i dont think mr heater makes one that does that. you will have to go reznor/modine/etc.

 

[Al Bundy]

I bought a Reznor sealed combustion unit specifically so I wouldn't have any issues with fumes. Been installed for a full year and works flawlessly.