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Loud power vent

John Maher
John Maher Member Posts: 8
in THE MAIN WALL
I moved into a 5-year old condo last week, and there is a very noisy Rheem power vent (it's on a rented water heater) located in a closet which is right next to my master bedroom. It wakes me up at all hours of the morning, and because my residence is heated with the use of the water heater (there is an air blower positioned over top of it), I can't turn the thing off without getting the place very cold.

Some people have suggested insulating the wall behind the water heater, but the air blower is mounted right into the wall and I would never be able to effectively deaden the noise.

Does anyone out there have any sort of experience with this? Are there "quiet" power vents out there, or are there good ways to block out the noise? I don't have much money to go out and buy a new water heater/furnace.. so I was hoping there would be a good alternative.

There is a link to a photo of the closet setup below.

http://www.efficientliving.com/images/powervent.jpg

Comments

  • Bill Nye
    Bill Nye Member Posts: 221
    That doesn't ...

    ...look like the "neatest" installation I have ever seen.

    Look for pipes or other objects that are in contact with one another, like pipes or brackets or wires, and try to isolate or insulate them some how. Moving a pipe here or there may cut down on some vibration noise.

    Or, have a professional look at the venter itself. The fan or motor may be loose or dirty and causing vibration.

    Are you sure it is the power venter or could it be the air handler inches above? Air filter clean? I'm just playing detective, not trying to second guess you. Hope you get it resolved, a good nights sleep is important.
  • andy_5
    andy_5 Member Posts: 20


    Is the water heater actually in the bedroom closet?Is it sealed combustion?If it is in your bedroom and not sealed combustiom as I suspect,it is an illegal installation.Any gas appliance install in a bedroom or bathroom must be under 11,000 btu's or sealed combustion.I would have an expert look at the installation.
  • Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating
    Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating Member Posts: 1,373
    with any power venter

    i would definately get a carbon monoxide detector. bob
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  • John Maher
    John Maher Member Posts: 8


    It's definitely the power vent.. the filter in the air handler does need to be replaced, though.

    I hope to have someone from Union Energy over this week to have a look at the power vent.. People lived here for 5 years before me and I have no idea how the hell they did it.
  • John Maher
    John Maher Member Posts: 8


    It's on the other side of the bedroom wall, not in the bedroom closet.. but it sures sounds like it's in the same room.

    I'm going to have someone over this week to look at it.
  • John Maher
    John Maher Member Posts: 8


    I almpst bought one the other night.. I'm not sure why I had second thoughts about it. I'll be sure to get one today.. thanks!
  • Firedragon_4
    Firedragon_4 Member Posts: 1,436
    If it's like most of them it has

    probably never been serviced properly. It has to be pulled apart, the fan and housing cleaned and the motor properly oiled. The fluepipe must be properly supported and secured at all joints and well fastened down. I will sometimes also recommend rubber shims against anything that will transmit sound.
  • Robert O'Connor_7
    Robert O'Connor_7 Member Posts: 688
    Q? for andy

    What state allows fuel burning apliances in toilet rooms or sleeping areas? I know it is NOT allowed in NJ. What states this in? And about the btu requirments, which code(s)? BOC ....... p.s. get the CO detector NOW!!!
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    I've yet to find a quiet one!

    I have used just about every brand available in my area. That's probably the worst location for one!

    Inducer fans are noise makers, especially when built in a metal cage. Probably more noise is produced in the process of consuming electricity, than air moved :)

    Soundproof the room, possibly.

    By far the quiestest fan assisted appliance I have come across is the newest Munchkin. Although not an exhaust inducer, more manufactures should seek out this assembly :)

    hot rod

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  • andy_5
    andy_5 Member Posts: 20


    It is a code in New Jersey as well as anywhere that I know of that a fuel burning appliance can be in a bedroom or bathroom as long as it under 11,000 btu for bedroom and under 4,000 btu for bathroom.Other than that it has to be sealed combustion.It is in the National Fuel gas code book if you want to look it up.I worked in New Jersey for a gas company for many years and it was a code there then and is now.
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