EK system 2000 details

Brew4Lou

I'm looking at getting an EK system 2000 but can't find the answer to a few questions i have. Any help out there?

1. In order to take full advantage of the advertised increased efficiency, does fresh air for the combustion need to be used vs air from within boiler room?
2. In order to take full advantage of the advertised increased efficiency, does the chimney have to lined and with what material?
3. Lastly, regarding my chimney, I have a 3 flue chimney. a cold flu that is used for a fireplace that is mostly decorative, a hot flu that is used by a wood burning stove (not used everyday or all day), and the flue used by my boiler. I'm concerned that the cooler exhaust from the system 2000 will not draft well, especially when the wood burner is running and exhausting right next the top of the boiler flue due a negative pressure in the house. My current boiler uses a power vent blowing into the flue to prevent this. How should i have the system 2000 vent?

Thanks for any help!
-Lou

Paul Pollets

An insulated SS chimney liner is required when drafting through an exterior chimney. The liner size is determined by the manufacturer's requirements. If not vented properly, improper draft will cause condensation and corrosion, not to mention reduced efficiency. Combustion fresh air requirements will be detailed in the boiler manual and the local code requirements.

brnrman1

Lou,
Thank you for your questions.
Having a controlled source for combustion air for the burner, specifically connecting outside air, is always recommended for the best performance. Although this can have a moderate impact on efficiency, it is not the primary reason, and you should expect substantial savings even without outside air connected.

In your specific case, it sounds like your wood stove can back draft from negative pressure in your house, and that you have an inducer (power vent) connected to your chimney to allow your current boiler to draft properly and overcome the negative pressure. Based on these symptoms and conditions, we would recommend that outside air be connected to isolate the boiler from the negative pressure in the house for safety reasons.

Regarding your question about the chimney liner, a properly constructed and lined chimney should provide adequate draft. If the inducer was installed because your current boiler did not draft properly, then a liner would be recommended for your current and any new boiler. There may be other reasons to install a liner, such as signs of damage to the chimney or existing liner.

For an oil or gas System 2000, we recommend a properly sized 316L or 316LTi chimney liner. The 90+ Resolute can be vented with a flexible plastic liner (polypropylene) for oil or gas as well. This may be less expensive when comparing the complete installation of the boiler and liner combined, although your heating professional would the right source for that information.
Thank you,

"Mitch"

Roger Mitchell
Senior Technical Support Specialist
Energy Kinetics
800-323-2066

HVACNUT

Have you looked at the EK Resolute? It might be the answer for your 3 questions.

It Requires outdoor combustion air. (What are your other options?)

The Resolute uses a forced air inducer fan.

It can be vented using a polypropylene liner (available from EK), or sidewall.

SuperTech

I also agree with the recommendation for the Resolute. That is a fantastic boiler and sounds perfectly suited for your application

GBart

Technically all gas, oil, wood etc fired units require outside air for combustion, there is no way any large basement with cracks and crevices makes the grade, ever, I have no idea why this is such an issue with the code book, it's wrong.