Moving gas water heater out of garage?

[cj777]

I just bought a new house, and it has a natural gas water heater in the garage. I am about to start a new frame up cj build, and would really prefer to move it out of there, preferably outside; for safety reasons as well as to free up some space in my way too small garage. Has anyone else ran into this problem, and if so what did you do about it? I've seen the aquahut water heater enclosures , but my HOA requires all outdoor buildings to be made of the same material, and the same color as the home. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[VortecJeep]

I too have the gas water heater in one corner of the garage. I boxed it in with plywood, but only 4 feet high because I don't want to have problems with not enough air getting to it. But at least I can put stuff up against the plywood walls and not worry about it falling into the water heater.

 

[shawn]

If you're going to bother with moving it, just get one of these. In round numbers, it'll cost a bit more than a grand to purchase and have installed, but you get a $300 tax credit, and they're substantially more efficient than tank heaters. Especially when you consider that most of the tank heaters built in the last 10 years are total crap, and don't last particularly long.

They're about the size of a mid-tower computer case, and mount to the exterior wall of the house.

 

[Rox&Mud]

If you're going to bother with moving it, just get one of these. In round numbers, it'll cost a bit more than a grand to purchase and have installed, but you get a $300 tax credit, and they're substantially more efficient than tank heaters. Especially when you consider that most of the tank heaters built in the last 10 years are total crap, and don't last particularly long.
They're about the size of a mid-tower computer case, and mount to the exterior wall of the house.

I agree that a tank-less water heater is the way to go. You can save considerable money with a Takagi Jr. over a Rinnai and it's just as good. I ordered mine on line about 4 years ago it cost about $600. Mine will supply plenty of hot water, enough for two showers at the same time. If you don't have gas there are also electric ones available too, they are even smaller.

 

[cj777]

If you're going to bother with moving it, just get one of these. In round numbers, it'll cost a bit more than a grand to purchase and have installed, but you get a $300 tax credit, and they're substantially more efficient than tank heaters. Especially when you consider that most of the tank heaters built in the last 10 years are total crap, and don't last particularly long.

They're about the size of a mid-tower computer case, and mount to the exterior wall of the house.

Unfortunately I have hydro heat. The heated water in my tank heats my house, so a tankless system isn't really an option unless I buy a new heating system.