Heating Helper

INTRODUCTIONEven newer chimneys with a properly configured and installed liner butsituated on the outside of the building or house can be harmed by fluegas condensation. Extreme caution should be exercised when attemptingto use chimneys such as these. It would advisable to install aninsulated metal liner in these types of chimneys to protect them againstcondensation damage and to allow the boiler and other attached appliancesto perform properly.Chimneys...Bigger is not necessarily better!Caution should also be exercised when using larger internal linedchimneys with new boilers and other appliances. Bigger is not necessarilybetter when considering a chimney’s venting capabilities. Youneed to remember that a new boiler’s flue gas temperatures are lowerthan ever before and may not be able to establish the draft you needin one of these larger chimneys. Even if they can establish proper draftthe concern still exists of the effect that flue gas condensation will haveon life of the chimney. Be sure to abide by the venting regulationsadopted and enforced by your state or locality regarding proper ventingpractices.Most, if not all, higher efficiency gas boilers these days are vented bybuilt-in induced draft fans and utilize AL29-4C stainless steel, PolypropyleneConcentric or even PVC/CPVC venting materials. Most of theseboilers allow for venting distances of up to 50 equivalent feet of ventingand have a multitude of venting options such as sidewall, vertical andconcentric venting. Bear in mind that the venting options and materialslisted in the Installation Manual for one manufacturer’s boiler are proprietaryto that particular boiler and may not apply to a different modelor brand of boiler. Read the Installation Manual carefully and abideby the information provided in that manual to ensure that the boileroperates correctly and safely. If you don’t see a particular venting optionlisted in that boiler’s manual then more than likely it has not beentested or certified and you cannot use it.Aftermarket sidewall power venting equipment and related controlshave been commonly used when a chimney is not an option. Becautious of using them with the boiler and other equipment you are installingin that they will more than likely involve cutting into the boiler’sfactory wiring harness. If the person performing this wiring procedure isunfamiliar with the internal wiring of the boiler and11