Pro Handyman Blog

Installing a water heater means making all of the proper connections. One of these connections is at the top of the water heater. If you have a gas water heater the exhaust will be carried out of the unit and the building via a vent. This vent is connected to the water heater by a draft hood. The draft hood has legs on it to allow air to carry the exhaust out of the building.

A water heater draft hood has legs on it that allow it to connect to the top of the water heater. The tabs on the bottom of the legs slide into some slots and turn, which locks the draft hood onto the water heater.

Connecting the vent to the top of the draft hood is a little more work. The vent should slide over the top of the hood. Secure the vent to the draft hood with self-tapping screws (minimum of 3 spaced equally around the perimeter). Wrap foil tape over these screws and the connection to further secure the vent to the draft hood. Just make sure you don’t cover any of the openings in the draft hood as these are important for proper ventilation of the exhaust.