Power Vent vs Atmospheric — What's the Difference?
If your current water heater vents up a chimney with a metal pipe, you have an atmospheric unit. If it vents out the side of your house with a fan running, that's a power vent. Each has its place.
Atmospheric (standard)
Hot exhaust rises naturally up a metal flue into your chimney. No fan, no power needed for venting. This is the original design and most older Philly homes have one.
Power vent
A blower motor on top of the tank pushes exhaust horizontally out a PVC pipe through your wall. Required when there's no chimney, when the chimney is too short, or when the chimney is shared with another high-efficiency appliance that's killed the natural draft.
When you NEED a power vent
- No chimney available
- Existing chimney has been relined for a high-efficiency furnace
- Water heater is being moved to a location far from the chimney
- Local code now requires sealed combustion for your application
Cost difference
Power vent units cost more — the blower motor, the PVC venting kit, and a 120V outlet add up. Our flat rate for a power vent install is $3,999 vs $2,499 for a standard 50-gallon atmospheric.
Not sure which one you have?
Send us a photo of the top of your water heater. We'll tell you in 5 minutes.