Saw this on an inspection and have never seen it before. House is 3 years old and do not know who or why it was installed this way. Called it out for a plumbing contractor to look at it but not very curious on what they are trying to do here? Seems like trying to make this a direct or power draft but the water heater isn’t. Any help here would be appreciated. Yes the exhaust seems to be a dryer vent too.
Thanks
They are using a Bradford White flexible vent kit. It is only for a couple of the Defender models depending on which kit they used. Before calling for someone else to inspect, do a little research.
That unit is designed that way. That is concentric vent that is drawling air from outside and then it is directed down to the burner. Flue gases go out through that same vent through a separate pipe to the exterior. Just do some research on Bradford White direct vent water heaters.https://s3.amazonaws.com/bradfordwhitecorp/wp-content/uploads/residential_gas_natural_direct_vent_naeca_compliant_iomanual_51005.pdf
Thank you for the response Stephen. I appreciate it. Had never seen it and I did do some research on it. The BW flexible kit never came up. This forum was a part of my research and I am glad to be able to pull on some of the experience here…
Scott. Thank you for the reference. Most helpful
The vent connector does not seem rated for the application. Looks like clothes dryer flexible duct. I believe they should have used something rated for a water heater vent connection.
Selkirk 173036R Gas Vent Connector, Expandable & Flexible, 1 to 3-Ft. - Quantity 53713000317 | eBay
It’s not. The vent you posted is for a connection to an atmospheric class B vent. The Bradford White in the OP’s photo is a direct vent-air intake kit which is concentric.
Here is an installation manual for the type of vent pictured in the OP’s photo. Since I do not have a model number, it may not be exact.
The OP could probably chase down the exact kit with a bit more information.
