AREA(s) SERVED:
County/Borough:
Anchorage
Town/Neighborhood:
Anchorage
Zip Code(s):
99501–99524, 99529–99530, 99599
Note: Our products and services are available in Anchorage and the Anchorage County area, as well as nationwide.
Rural Energy Enterprises: Anchorage's Trusted Direct Vent Heaters Supplier.
Rural Energy stocks direct-vent wall furnaces and venting components for Alaska homes, mobile homes, cabins, and commercial spaces, available for pickup at our Anchorage location or shipped statewide. Rinnai's EX Series is our primary direct-vent line, and DuraVent venting components are stocked alongside.
Why Direct-Vent Heaters Are the Right Choice for Alaska Homes
A direct-vent wall furnace draws combustion air from outside through a sealed coaxial pipe and exhausts through the same assembly. It does not consume indoor air for combustion. It does not require a chimney or roof penetration. The entire system is sealed.
In Alaska, that sealed system matters for specific reasons.
In extreme cold, negative pressure in a tightly built home can cause conventional vented heaters to backdraft, pulling combustion gases indoors. A direct-vent unit is sealed against this risk. The combustion chamber is isolated from the living space regardless of indoor-outdoor pressure differential.
Freeze-related flue problems, common with conventional vent systems in subarctic conditions, do not apply to a properly installed direct-vent wall furnace. The concentric pipe assembly handles condensation and temperature differential by design.
Many direct-vent models also operate without electricity or with minimal electrical draw, an important consideration for Anchorage homes during outages and a baseline requirement for remote properties.
Rinnai's EX Series has been specified in Alaska residential and commercial projects for decades. Rural Energy has supplied these units, and the DuraVent components to install them, to Anchorage customers and remote communities for over 37 years.
Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces We Carry
Rinnai EX Series
The Rinnai EX Series is the most widely specified direct-vent wall furnace for Alaska residential use. Three core output models cover the range from a single room to a substantial open-plan home.
Rinnai EX17
- 16,700 BTU output
- Covers up to approximately 650 square feet in a well-insulated structure
- Available in natural gas (EX17DTN) and propane (EX17DTP) configurations
- Suitable for: bedrooms, small cabins, additions, supplemental zone heating
Rinnai EX22
- 20,700 BTU output
- Covers up to approximately 800 square feet
- Natural gas and propane configurations available
- Suitable for: medium-sized rooms, open-plan cabins, larger bedrooms
Rinnai EX38 Series
- 38,400 BTU output
- Covers up to approximately 1,500 square feet in a well-insulated structure
- Available in four configurations: EX38DTN (natural gas, standard), EX38DTP (propane, standard), EX38DTWN (natural gas, white), EX38DTWP (propane, white)
- Suitable for: primary heating for Anchorage homes, larger cabins, open-plan commercial spaces, mobile homes
All EX Series models feature:
- Sealed combustion with concentric coaxial vent pipe through exterior wall
- No chimney required, no roof penetration
- Thermostatic control with optional remote thermostat
- Quiet operation
- CSA certified
DuraVent Direct-Vent Components
Correct venting is as important as the heater itself. We stock DuraVent direct-vent pipe and terminal kits for use with Rinnai wall furnaces, including concentric pipe assemblies for wall penetrations.
Key note: pipe sizing, wall thickness, and terminal clearance must match the heater model and installation requirements. In Alaska, exterior wall construction is often thicker than standard. Confirm pipe length requirements before ordering. Our team can help.
Serving Anchorage and Rural Alaska
Anchorage Pickup
Our Anchorage location at 6637 Arctic Spur Rd stocks Rinnai EX Series wall furnaces and DuraVent components. We serve customers from across the Anchorage Bowl: Midtown, Spenard, Dimond, Fairview, South Anchorage, Abbott Loop, Hillside, Muldoon, Turnagain, Airport Heights, and Eagle River. Call +1-907-278-7441 to confirm the model and configuration you need are in stock before visiting.
Statewide Shipping
We ship direct-vent heaters and venting components to rural and remote communities across Alaska. Equipment is packaged for Alaska freight conditions. For remote installations, call before ordering. We can help confirm the right configuration for your wall construction and fuel supply.
How to Choose the Right Direct-Vent Heater for Your Space
Square footage and ceiling height. The BTU output needed depends on your space size and how well it is insulated. Use the sizing reference below as a starting point, and contact our team to confirm.
Fuel type. Natural gas is available in Anchorage and a handful of larger Alaska communities. Propane is common in rural properties. Match the unit configuration to your fuel supply. Do not order a natural gas unit for a propane installation.
Alaska propane note. Propane loses vapor pressure as temperatures approach -44°F. For LP installations in locations with extreme winter lows, tank insulation, tank sizing, and regulator selection all matter. Discuss your installation environment with our team before ordering a propane-configured unit for a remote location.
Wall construction. Rinnai EX Series requires a concentric vent pipe through an exterior wall. In Alaska, exterior walls are often 6 inches or thicker. Confirm your wall assembly depth and order the correct vent pipe length.
Non-electric operation. Rinnai EX Series operates with thermostatic control that has minimal electrical requirements. Confirm the specific model's electrical needs if non-electric operation is a priority.
| Model | BTU Output | Coverage (well-insulated) | Fuel Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rinnai EX17 | 16,700 BTU | Up to 650 sq ft | NG / LP |
| Rinnai EX22 | 20,700 BTU | Up to 800 sq ft | NG / LP |
| Rinnai EX38 | 38,400 BTU | Up to 1,500 sq ft | NG / LP |
Shop Direct-Vent Heaters at Rural Energy
Browse our Rinnai direct-vent wall furnace selection online, visit our Anchorage location, or call to confirm availability and discuss your project.
Rural Energy Enterprises, Anchorage, AK
Sales: +1-907-278-7441 | Toll-free: +1-800-770-7330
Serving Alaska for over 37 years. Live Life Warm.
Map of Anchorage, AK
Frequently Asked Questions: Direct-Vent Heaters in Anchorage, AK:
Q. What is a direct-vent wall furnace and how does it work?
A. A direct-vent wall furnace uses a sealed coaxial pipe through an exterior wall to draw combustion air from outside and exhaust combustion gases back outside. The combustion chamber is completely sealed from the living space. No chimney is required. Combustion air supply and exhaust travel through two concentric pipes in a single wall penetration.
Q. Does Rural Energy carry Rinnai direct-vent heaters in Anchorage?
A. Yes. Rinnai's EX Series is our primary direct-vent wall furnace line. We carry the EX17, EX22, and EX38 in natural gas and propane configurations. DuraVent venting components are stocked alongside. Call +1-907-278-7441 to confirm current model availability.
Q. What size direct-vent heater do I need for my Alaska home?
A. As a general guide, the Rinnai EX17 suits spaces up to about 650 square feet, the EX22 up to about 800 square feet, and the EX38 up to about 1,500 square feet in well-insulated structures. Poorly insulated spaces, high ceilings, or severe local temperatures may require additional output. Call us with your space dimensions and we can help you choose the right model.
Q. Can a direct-vent heater run without electricity in Alaska?
A. The Rinnai EX Series requires power for the thermostat and controls, but draws very little. It is not a fully non-electric unit. For locations where complete non-electric operation is required, oil drip heaters are the better choice. See our oil heaters page for those options.
Q. What is the difference between natural gas and propane direct-vent heaters for Alaska?
A. The combustion systems are similar, but fuel delivery is different. Natural gas is supplied by a utility and available in Anchorage and some larger communities. Propane is stored in on-site tanks and is more common in rural Alaska. For propane installations in extreme cold locations, tank management and insulation matter because propane loses vapor pressure near -44°F.
Q. Do you carry DuraVent and venting accessories in Anchorage?
A. Yes. We stock DuraVent direct-vent pipe assemblies and terminal kits for use with Rinnai wall furnaces. Call to confirm specific lengths and configurations needed for your installation.
Q. Can you ship a direct-vent wall furnace to rural Alaska?
A. Yes. We ship Rinnai EX Series furnaces and DuraVent components statewide. Call to confirm availability and discuss packaging for your freight route.
Q. Do I need a chimney for a direct-vent wall furnace?
A. No. A direct-vent wall furnace vents through a coaxial pipe through an exterior wall. No chimney, no flue, and no roof penetration is required. That is one of the primary installation advantages for existing homes and for structures where adding a chimney is not practical.
Q. Does Rural Energy carry Eskabe direct-vent heaters in addition to Rinnai?
A. Yes. In addition to Rinnai EX Series, Rural Energy carries Eskabe DVEL direct-vent gas heaters in Anchorage. Eskabe's key advantage over Rinnai is fully non-electric operation, with no power required for ignition or controls. Available in 8,000, 11,000, and 17,000 BTU outputs in natural gas and propane. See the Eskabe page for the full lineup.
Q. How long does a direct-vent wall furnace typically last?
A. A well-maintained direct-vent wall furnace will typically last 15 to 20 years or longer. Rinnai EX Series units are built for durability in demanding climates. Annual inspection of the venting assembly, burner, and heat exchanger is recommended. In Alaska, pay particular attention to the exterior vent terminal. Ice and snow accumulation can block the vent and trigger safety shutoff. Clear the terminal at the start of each heating season and after heavy snowfall.
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