On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 10:44:17 PM UTC-5, John wrote:
replying to m Ransley, John wrote:
The exaust pipe was scorching hot! Why?

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Assuming it's a conventional gas WH using a galvanized metal exhaust pipe,
it's hot because it's burning nat gas. The newer direct vent WHs use PVC
and those are warm, but not so hot you can't touch them.