Power Vent vs Chimney

Moy

 We just bought an old farm house with a Buderus 215.  It is vented through a chimney that needs to be torn down.  I keep getting different opinions as to whether it is best to rebuild the chimney or to use a power vent.  We are replacing the roof so if I don't have a hole for the chimney, all the better.

I called Buderus and they told me that they make a power vent for the 115 but that I will need to source a power vent for a 215 from other vendors.

Any insight is appreciated!

04090

Along the same lines, can someone comment on the noise factor

Along the same lines, can someone comment on the noise factor of a natural gas fired Buderus 115 with the required power side vent?

icesailor

Powerventers:

I prefer a power venter to a FU'ed chimney and you can't always tell how bad it is.

I like and use Tjernlund SS-1 Sideshots and have good luck with them. If anything goes wrong, all moving and important parts are inside. I've never had to change the motor like on a Field, out side in the rain, snow or cold wind.

Others will tell you they hate them. Gas guys are all using powerventing. Get with the picture. Try not to face the PV'er to the Northwest but it isn't critical.

JMO,

Al Letellier_21

power venters

I agree with the PV on a gas boiler. We have done it a lot. We like the HS-1 venter. It is easy to install, and replacement parts cost about the same as the entire unit so we used to just carry a whole on on the trucks....easier and quicker to just replace the unit as it was to repair a side shot or other similar device. Field makes a good unit also but they put the motor outside.....brrrrrr ! No fun to service at 10 below...

Bob Bona_4

same as

the other guys. If you HAVE to PV, do it Tjerlund. 

Most folks live with the PV for a few years then go SS flue. No matter what, siding staining happens, ppl get tired of the noise, the thing craps, you have no heat.

I would anticipate a future route for a flue, internal or external, even if it entails boiler relocation.



  

Steamhead

A power venter

has moving parts, therefore it will break down at some point.



A chimney has no moving parts, so if it is properly lined, it won't break down.



There is something to be said for simplicity.

Bob Daros

Chimney

Never use a P/V

Once installed a chimney which was PROPERLY installed will work forever and never ask for anything in return, unlike a power vent which needs constant care.

A chimney is simplicity at it's best.

David Sutton_6

P/V's

As these new boilers are having lower stack temps i am finding a new problem with some of the PVs the condensate from the cooled flue gasses are getting into the proving tube and getting rock hard at the end of the tude.. had to drill a few and replace a few...