Attic Fan Install?

[TxBowHntr]

So the pilot light on my new water heater keeps going out. It is located in the attic, and the plumber who did the install came out and said I need to install an attic fan for better circulation. He checked the thermocouple and said that is not the issue. He recommended a company to do the install, and for a solar powered attic fan, the quote is $2,000. This seems pretty high to me, but I am not an expert. Online, I am reading that they should be $800-$1200 which is pretty much what I expected it to be. I was hoping the TBH fam could give me some guidance here. What should the approximate cost for total install be? House is 2 stories and located in west Houston. Thanks in advance!

[Playa]

Any roofer should be able to install an attic fan. They will need to remove less than a square of shingles, cut a hole to fit the fan, seal around the fan and re-roof the cleared part. That sounds high, but costs have really increased.

I’d be surprised if circulation is your issue. Most roofs, unless it is foam insulated just aren’t that air tight.

[Walker]

I'm just using years of general knowledge here, but I don't see how better ventilation would keep your pilot burning unless it's burning up all the oxygen. Which I doubt.

[Buckshot4900]

How long did it work before this issue appeared?


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[Big_gun]

are there still water heaters with flame pilots? I thought they have electronic ignition?

https://www.supertechhvac.com/pilot-light-keeps-going-out/

[coachmas]

Definitely interested. No input but looking at adding a fan.

[Playa]

are there still water heaters with flame pilots? I thought they have electronic ignition?

https://www.supertechhvac.com/pilot-...eps-going-out/

My 2018 build has a pilot on the water heater. It’s electronic ignition for the pilot, but there is still a flame

[Bassdeer]

I'm just using years of general knowledge here, but I don't see how better ventilation would keep your pilot burning unless it's burning up all the oxygen. Which I doubt.

Yea I don't think ventilation is it. I had the same problem at first I put a small fan pointed at the bottom of the water heater and that seem to help but it keep going out but not as much. I ended up just buying a new water heater and it has never had a problem. The old one was a pilot light the new one is not. I would start with a attic fan for around $120 and mount it yourself pointed out your vent on the roof and see if that helps.

[WRasco]

Yea I don't think ventilation is it. I had the same problem at first I put a small fan pointed at the bottom of the water heater and that seem to help but it keep going out but not as much. I ended up just buying a new water heater and it has never had a problem. The old one was a pilot light the new one is not. I would start with a attic fan for around $120 and mount it yourself pointed out your vent on the roof and see if that helps.

This ^
Did he happen to explain the logic behind the no circulation causing the flame to go out?

[TxBowHntr]

The water heater is just over 1 year old. This has happened 6+ times in total, with 4 times in the last 6 weeks. The plumber said it has to do with the heat, and it stifling the flame. Like many of you stated, I don't see how the ventilation or lack there of would affect the flame and cause it to go out. The only reason I am contemplating this is I was planning on installing a fan anyways to keep it from being so hot up there. I just don't know if $2K is competitive or not.

[txlawdog]

From what I understand listening to Tom Tynan on the Home Show Radio on the weekends the heat in the attic can be the cause. He usually does not suggest an electric fan in the attic due to them at times catching fire. You may be able to go to his website and find info on pilot lights in the attic. I don't want to give you any wrong information. His show is very informative and he gives the facts and usually has the info to back them up.

https://homeshowradio.com/

[Playa]

The water heater is just over 1 year old. This has happened 6+ times in total, with 4 times in the last 6 weeks. The plumber said it has to do with the heat, and it stifling the flame. Like many of you stated, I don't see how the ventilation or lack there of would affect the flame and cause it to go out. The only reason I am contemplating this is I was planning on installing a fan anyways to keep it from being so hot up there. I just don't know if $2K is competitive or not.

I can tell you that 2 years ago when I sold roofs, I charged about $700-900 to replace powered attic fans. That was storm reclamation, meaning we already had the roof skinned to the deck, and were going to re-shingle. If a customer wanted to add a fan, we would cut the hole and mount the fan and connect to power if it was already existing.

[Greenheadless]

If you are in Katy, I am guessing you have ridge vents. Are you sure you don’t have any obstructions in your soffit vents or ridges?

I have always heard power fans are a waste of money if the ridge vents were designed correctly.

I am skeptical about a fan being your fix.

[Mountaineer]

There are many thousands of gas water heaters installed in attic’s that have poor ventilation and work properly. It’s probably a thermocouple or gas issue.

Also, solar or electric attic fans are a waste of $. You won’t get the amount of energy efficiency back for what they cost to install.


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