Abstract: A water heater includes a tank for receiving cold water and dispensing heated water. A thermostat is associated with the tank and detects the temperature of water held therein. A gas burner including a hot surface igniter receives fuel to be combusted via a fuel line when a valve on the fuel line is opened. A controller is responsive to the thermostat and opens the valve and operates the igniter to ignite the fuel when the temperature of the water held in the tank falls below a first predetermined level. A vent including a flue passes through the tank and allows combustion gases and heat of combustion to be vented from the water heater. The vent includes a blower responsive to the controller which mixes ambient air with combustion gases prior to venting the combustion gases to the atmosphere. The controller initiates the blower when the water temperature falls below the first predetermined level to establish at least a predetermined pressure in the flue before the valve and igniter are operated.