Garage Heater Venting Vertical or Horizontal: Which One Is the Best?

A garage heater will help keep part of your house warm during the cold season and also allow you to make this your working space. It will also make your vehicle’s battery last longer as it keeps it warmer, plus your fuel consumption also reduces because there will be no need to warm the vehicle before it starts up.

However, it should have proper venting for the heater to work well. But should you vent your garage heater venting vertically or horizontally?

Depending on your choice, you can vent your garage heater vertically or horizontally. Venting horizontal is through the wall where you drill a hole to let it pass through. Vertical ventilation is where you let the heaters vent through the roof.

If you’re planning to vent your garage heater, this article will help you know the best choice to go for.

Understanding Garage Heater Venting Vertical

Whenever you opt to include a heater in your garage, be ready to install a vent to help regulate the airflow. If you decide to have a vertical vent for your heater, it should run through the roof.

The ductwork should pass through a hole into the roof. Then the length of the ductwork showing from the roof should depend on the regulations of your area and ensure everything holds tight. 

How To Vent Garage Heater Vertically

Tools Required 

• Ducts and vent cap
• Power drill and reciprocating saw
• Ladder
• Screwdriver
• Plumber tape
• Pencil

It’s important to vent your garage heater vertically to help exhaust gases within the room. This is a process that professionals should do, but since it costs a lot of money, you can save some coins for a DIY project. 

You can do that by;

Take The Measurements of The Duct 

The first thing you need to do is take the duct measurements to enable you to vent the garage heater properly. The duct should have a similar diameter as the heater’s flange, which should be written on the heater’s packaging. Use a tape measure to get the measurements.

After that, you should also know the length of the duct, which is necessary when creating the vent. Measure the distance from the heater to the roof with a measuring tape to determine this length. 

Locate The Area of Installation

You should then identify where you’ll let the duct pass through the roof. Draw an outline of the hole, then figure out where you’ll connect the unit to the vent. Also, figure out where the hole will be on the roof. 

Place a 90-degree duct elbow on the vent flange of the garage heater. Let the other end of the ductwork be on the ceiling.

Use a pencil to draw a circle around the ductwork where you will let the vent pass through. You should make two circle drawings. One should be bigger than the other one so that the bigger one will act as the clearance you’ll use to install the duct on the roof without challenges. 

Drill The Holes 

After that, you should drill holes in the roof using a power drill. Make ¼ inch holes all over the circle’s perimeter. Then use a power saw to cut the circles. Remove the cut pieces, and you’ll have a place to fix the duct. 

Then drill another hole with similar measurements on the roof. Put the flange on the roof flashing under the shingles.

Attach The Outer End of The Duct

Let the ductwork pass through the hole straight by positioning the holes on the roof and flashing well, then cover the edges. You should do this while some meters below the hole and allow the duct to extend by around 24 inches over the shingles. 

Then cover the duct using the vent cap. Tighten the screws well with the screwdriver. 

Connect The Piece at The Middle 

To do this, measure the length between the hanging duct on the roof and the elbow on the heater. After that, add 16 inches to the measured length. Then cut some part of the plumber tape and use it to cover the duct. 

Also, attach the elbow to the duct’s lower side. With a deck, a screw attaches the remaining part of the tape to the opposite end. If there are additional parts of the duct that you should fix, do so to complete the connection. 

Attach The Elbow to The Heater

Finally, attach the elbow to your garage heater. Ensure you fix them using 1-inc taping screws all over the elbow. Then test if your garage heater vent is working.

Garage Heater Venting Horizontal

You can also vent your garage heater horizontally. This means the vent will pass through the wall. Most people prefer horizontal venting as it’s easier to clean the vent and prevents the roof from being damaged. You can achieve this by;

Take The Measurements

You should measure the distance between the heater and the wall. You can decide to have the vent on your preferred wall, but some go for the wall next to the garage heater.

Identify Where to Place the Vent

Then locate where the duct will pass through on the wall. Use a pencil to mark this area and draw the vent’s diameter. Make two circles, one bigger than the other by about two inches. 

Cut Through the Wall

Use a drywall knife to cut through the wall. Also, drill through the insulation until you reach outside your garage. 

Fix The Duct

After that, fix the wall’s duct through the hole you’ve drilled above. Then seal the duct with a vent cap. But don’t also forget to cover the other parts that go around the vent to prevent heat loss. 

Attach The Duct on The Wall

You will need someone to help you hold one end of the duct as you fix the other one. Ensure you connect everything to the right place, just as you did on the roof venting. 

Between Venting Vertical and Horizontal, Which One Is the Best?

These venting methods are ideal and give the best results with your garage heater. So, you can use any depending on your choice. When you choose to vent vertically, you need to know that you should climb up to have it work better whenever you’re cleaning the vent. 

However, most people prefer venting horizontally because it prevents their roofs from being damaged. It’s also easier to identify problems on the horizontal vent without climbing up.

FAQ About Garage Heater Venting Vertical or Horizontal which one best

How to horizontally vent a garage heater?

Horizontally venting a garage heater is a simple process. First, find the spot on the wall where you want to install the vent. Next, use a level to make sure the vent will be installed level. Then use a drill and hole saw to cut the hole in the wall. Finally, install the vent and attach it to the heater.

How do I vent my garage heater horizontally?

There are a few different ways to vent a garage heater horizontally. One way is to use a wall thimble and install the vent pipe through the wall. Another way is to use a roof jack and install the vent pipe through the roof.

Can I vent my furnace horizontally?

Yes, you can vent your furnace horizontally. However, it is important to consult with a professional to ensure that your system is properly installed.

Can B vent terminate horizontally?

Yes, the B vent can terminate horizontally. However, it’s important to note that the horizontal terminations must be installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 90A, which specifies that the termination must be located at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) from any opening into the building.

How long can a furnace vent pipe be horizontal?

A furnace vent pipe can be horizontal for up to 10 feet. beyond that, the pipe must be vertical.

Do electric garage heaters need to be vented?

Electric garage heaters do not need to be vented, but it is recommended that you do so in order to improve the heater’s performance. Venting the heater will help remove any hot air and moisture that builds up inside the garage, which can help keep the garage warmer and prevent the heater from working harder than necessary.

How far does garage heater need to be from wall?

The garage heater should be at least 3 feet away from the wall. Garage heaters should be kept at least 18 inches away from walls to prevent fires.

Bottom Line 

Garage heaters are an essential addition to our homes as they help keep the space warmer, preventing the tools and items stored there from being damaged. For example, your vehicle will not have difficulties starting or have a cold battery affecting its lifespan. However, for the heater to work well, you need to vent it properly to help air circulation. You can vent your garage vertically or horizontally, depending on your choice. But most people like horizontal venting to keep their roofs in shape.

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