Giant UG50-62 power-direct-vent

The Giant UG50-62 power-direct-vent is the high-input 50-gallon member of Giant's Canadian power-direct-vent residential gas storage line, at 50 US gallons (189 L) with a 62,000 BTU/h input on both natural gas and propane. A power-direct-vent model draws combustion air from outside through a pipe and uses a motorized blower to force the exhaust outside, so it is the family for sealed mechanical rooms, closets and longer vent runs where inside air cannot be used. Giant lists a sealed combustion chamber (which eliminates the need for a flammable-vapour sensor), zero clearance to combustibles, an ultra-quiet blower, a compact design for tight spaces, a TankSaver design, 3/4 in side taps on the high-input model, a glass-lined inner tank, a magnesium anode and an electronic gas control valve with self-diagnostic capability.

Venting is 2 in, 3 in or 4 in ULC S636 PVC, CPVC or polypropylene up to 180 equivalent feet, and Giant states the unit can be installed with a concentric vent kit. Giant's page gives storage capacity and input but does not publish a first-hour rating, recovery rate, energy factor or dimensions for this model, so WaterHeating.ca does not state those figures. The published warranty is 6 years against inner tank leakage and 6 years on component parts from the date of installation, with conditions in the owner's manual.

A power-direct-vent unit needs a 120 V supply for the blower and a sealed intake-and-exhaust vent route to an exterior termination, so it suits a closet or sealed-room installation where an atmospheric tank cannot get combustion air. The installation manual governs the approved vent materials, lengths and clearances. Whether CANRO supplies this model for a given job is confirmed at consultation.