Water heater/ Furnace sharing same flue pipe

1

Please correct me if I’m wrong! Isn’t the water heater pipe supposed to be lower than the furnace pipe when sharing the same flue?

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2

The smaller unit (in BTU’s) should connect downstream of (or above in this case) the larger unit.

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3

The only way to tell if the installation was done properly is to determine the BTUs of each unit?

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4

Yes. The BTU ratings are on the data plates. At least in my area, the furnace will typically have the higher BTU rating.

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5

Typically the WH is the smaller unit and the flue should be above the furnace flue.

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6

That is correct. The BTU can be found on the data plate of each appliance.

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7

Thanks! Here’s a doozie!

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8

That is not the furnace flue.

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9

Apparently you haven’t seen HVAC work in rural Georgia… :stuck_out_tongue: :wink:

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10

Lol! Yea, amazes me at times!

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11

I’m assuming you mean the drain tube tapped into the side of the sink drain? What was it being used for?

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12

Good question! I have no idea. Plumber said it could be used as a condensate line drain. I told him that the car hose is in an apartment bathroom under sink. He replied “that’s strange.”

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13

Appears very similar to a commonly used dishwasher drain hose. I’m not sure I’d have an issue with the material.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Sioux-Chief-906-7-8-ID-50-Coil-Dishwasher-Drain-Hose?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=pmax&utm_campaign=pmax_nca_test&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1RhMotDw18cveUwEcIehRLn-eQv5EVmdszPa9BH7QphGlhHca9-txO0aAi7fEALw_wcB

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14

But are we sure this is a dishwasher drain? I haven’t seen one exiting the back of a cabinet like that, but there are many things I haven’t seen before…except here. :wink:

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15

I also vote for dishwasher drain line, but if not, then maybe a condensation line or water softener drain line.

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16

I have no idea what it’s for. But if the hose is good enough for a dishwasher, it should be good enough for most things. The only one I would question would be HE furnace condensate maybe? Not sure if the acidic nature of that condensate would be detrimental to the hose.

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17

Had one of those yesterday! Ran to the furnace…and that flue was also loose and not sitting on the exhaust. It was one of the “more wrong” installs I’ve seen lately!

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18

Why did you run, was it that far?

19

LOL!! It was a ways!

Bruce Quinn, CMI, CCPI

Certified Master Inspector

Absolute Inspectors, LLC

(615)916-7264

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20

Yep…