Almost every house or apartment has a speaker. When installing this device, it is very important to properly organize the removal of combustion products. This is necessary not only for the efficient operation of the column, but also for the safety of residents. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so it is very dangerous if it gets into a room in large doses. The main condition for the good operation of the column is the natural draft generated in the ventilation pipe. Today, many owners of private houses and apartments are increasingly thinking about the question: is it necessary to install a hood for a gas water heater?
Why do you need a column hood?
First of all, it should be understood that with a weak draft in the ventilation pipe, ordinary columns work perfectly fine. The additional hood performs the following functions:
- enhances cravings. But experts say that not all columns require an additional increase in thrust, since the one that is already in the ventilation shaft is already enough. If the draft is weak, then the reason for this may be a blockage in the mine. Therefore, in this case, to eliminate the problem, you just need to clean the mine. In other cases, a decrease in thrust provokes unfavorable weather conditions. But, since they do not happen often, it is impractical to mount an additional hood only for such cases;
- reduces the amount of combustion products entering the room during the operation of the unit. In this case, you can simply check the connections of the unit pipes, and if there is damage, eliminate this deficiency. With normal natural draft and no damage to the connections of the pipes, carbon monoxide does not enter the house.
Thus, the installation of an additional hood is advisable in case of blockage of the mine and the impossibility of cleaning it. A signal that the ventilation is clogged is the periodic decay of the column.
When planning a home renovation and a new kitchen from scratch, do not rush to install an additional hood. First, you should check whether your column works normally with natural draft, since an additional exhaust pipe takes up a lot of free space in the room, spoils the appearance of the room, and requires additional costs and time.
Features of operation
If there is a need to install the hood, then you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the features of its operation. For example, this device may cause an unpleasant smell in the room. When there is no additional hood, there is a natural draft in the room: air enters the ventilation shaft, and from there it returns to the room, thus providing the necessary circulation.
When installing a special hood, the volume of air required for it will not be compensated if you do not open the windows or arrange an additional ventilation duct. The hood will begin to suck in air from the ventilation ducts of the neighboring rooms - bathroom and toilet, which will lead to the emergence of specific odors.
In the absence of another ventilation duct, the hood should not be attached to the water heater.
If the installation is carried out in an apartment building, then it is necessary to understand that an incorrect connection to the mine can lead to unforeseen consequences, therefore, all work must be performed by specialists.
Although installation in a private house is not associated with such consequences, in the absence of the necessary experience and knowledge, it is better to turn to professionals.
Hood material
The main qualities that materials for the manufacture of hoods must have are strength and fire resistance. This is necessary so that air and carbon monoxide do not penetrate through the pipe into the room. Most often, such devices are made from a corrugated pipe with a diameter of 110 or 130 mm and a length of about 3 m. This material is very convenient because it has the necessary flexibility and lightness. A special metal tape is used to connect the two pipes together.
In addition to corrugated pipes, aluminum or steel pipes can be used. In the latter case, the hood must be covered with enamel, which protects the steel from high temperatures. If the design provides for turns, then they should be performed using adapters and additional pipes.
It must be remembered that the presence of turns in the ventilation pipes reduces draft. With each such turn, the efficiency will decrease by 10%. In total, the number of turns should not exceed three. If the steering angle is too large, the thrust may disappear completely.
Steel pipes have some disadvantages. So, with significant temperature differences between the combustion products and the pipe surface, condensate forms on it. In winter, the pipe needs to be insulated, otherwise it may freeze over.
Installation
The hood must be installed very carefully. It is very important to correctly carry out all the calculations in order to avoid the ingress of harmful substances into the room.
Basic installation rules:
- correct determination of the diameter of the hood and the length of the pipes: very long ones can cause weak draft;
- taking into account the power of the unit: the more it is, the more traction will be required;
- observance of safety precautions during installation: the structure must be integral so that gas does not leak through it.
Any violations of the rules for installing the hood will appear immediately or after a while. It must be remembered that gas equipment, if used rashly, can cause serious harm to both the owner of a private house and his neighbors.
