Space required for side wall venting? Picture!

weekendguy

Thank you all for your help in my continued quest for a new boiler and the venting thereof. Without this site I would continue to have a poorly designed and installed system and I'd keep throwing money at the propane company.

My current boiler is venting into a claytile chimney that will require lining for anything new. Because it's almost 50 feet (requiring scaffolding) and because the flue has to snake around the fireplace, it's a very pricey install. For a completely different set of reasons, I have been interested in the Lochinvar Solution boiler (mostly because of the 2 stage firing). Reading on the Wall,I learned that the size I need (135) needs a 6" atmospheric vent or can use an optional power venter using 3" CPVC. This would be terrific because I could then abandon the chimney and let the squirrels finish that condo they've been talking about. It also means no pricey liner.

But - I have only one place where I can penetrate the sidewall and it's the galvanized square in the picture below marked by the red arrow. It's currently a 4" air intake hood which can be scrapped since the new smaller boiler will have enough house volume to not require outside air. I think it may be too close to the electric meters but I am wondering if there is a way to turn it up 90 degrees and have it vent above the meters with some kind of cap. The solar panel disconnect directly above it can be moved to the side wall as marked or even probably squeezed in by the downspout. If necessary I could relocate everything in that area somewhere else (2 sensors). The boiler sits right behind that wall. The current unit has less than 2 feet of lateral run if overall length is a factor.

If tha space can't be used, I'm back to the $$$ 6" SS chimney liner unless I can use the power venter and some type of flexible CPVC-like product that can run down the chimney like a chase. The boiler install will need a permit and so I assume an inspection as well. What do you guys think? Many thanks. WEG.

Steamhead

Too close to the meters. Also may be below the maximum snow accumulation which would depend on where you live. Plus, it's an inside corner which brings its own set of issues.

Figure on lining the chimney and eliminating all those extra moving parts that sidewall venting would need.

weekendguy

@Steamhead Thanks - I was afraid that would be the answer. I have another chimney quote coming later this week. Maybe the sticker won't be so bad this time...

Brewbeer

Why can't the unit be direct vented around the corner to the right?

weekendguy

Hi BB-

Just to the left of the vent is the fireplace sticking out. The left side of the fireplace abuts an addition that sticks out 12 ft. The nearest place to exit would be the back of the house which is 30 feet away and would have to run through finished space.

I read last night that there is flexible poly pipe that is good for higher temps that CPVC. I still wonder if that can be run down the chimney more inexpensively than a SS liner. Although then there would probably be a maximum run length that may be exceeded because we'd be at about 50 ft.

Sorry - I just re-read your post - you asked about the right side. That is the street face of the house and is 6" stone. So aesthetics and installation issues. Also the grade shifts there so the highest exit point is probably too low for the snow line unless I came out then up then out again - and I don't know if that's advisable.

I meet with another chimney guy tomorrow - I'll see what he knows about that whole thing.