We have a gas hot water heater with a recirculater on it. It has 2-3 inch white pvc piping that is attached to the top of the heater and vents outside. The building inspector required us to cut a hole in our outside wall and attach round 6 inch aluminum pipe to it and run it down to the floor of the room that the water heater is in. This pipe brings in VERY COLD fresh air in the winter. It is like having a window open. Is there a better way to have done this? If it already vents to the outside why do we need fresh air?