I had an issue with a leaking furnace exhaust pipe from condensation. I also happen to have a 15 year old hot water tank that should be replaced. I'm told the hot water tank is not a direct vent type and new safety standards won't allow them to install the same type -- I need a direct vent model.

Here's are my questions:

1. The unused masonry chimney of the house is right next to the area where the water tank and furnace are located. If I have a new liner installed in the chimney can the new direct vent type water tanks be vented through the new chimney liner?

2. Can I add the furnace to this set up so they all vent through the new chimney liner?

Since my furnace and water tank are too close to a window, the safety requirements prevent me from being able to vent directly through the closest wall (I think you have to vent at least 3' from a window)... instead, there is a PVC pipe that runs along the ceiling to vent the furnace 8 feet away from the furnace to allow for enough clearance from the window. It's this exhaust pipe that started leaking from condensation.

My plan would be to solve the leaking pipe and the desire to get a new water tank at the same time by venting both through a new chimney liner. Thoughts?

Does your furnace vent with plastic?

And if you are right beside the chimney why are people telling you you need a direct vent. They still make regular gas water heaters. What state are you in? And what is there reasoning for making you use a direct vent?

If your furnace vents with plastic then you can not put it into the chimney inless your run the plastic all the way up the chimney.

if your furnace vents with plastic then you can not put it into the chimney inless your run the plastic all the way up the chimney.

My furnace vents through PVC plastic piping.

I'm located in Ontario Canada and I'm told that I'm required to install a direct vent water heater to comply with safety requirements. Part of the reason is that the adjacent room is a bedroom so there's a safety concern for those sleeping in that room.

I guess my question is whether installing a new liner in the chimney (since there isn't one there) will allow them to direct vent the water tank and then as you noted above, feed the pvc pipe from the furnace up the same liner.

No, if you use dirct vent units, the furnace and the water heater must have 2 seprate vents.

They also make power vent water heaters theat vent with the same plastic pipe as your furnace. You could run it right out beside your furnace vent.