Vent Location/Style versus Fume Smell

swellman

We are wondering about how to mitigate some of the smell/fumes coming from our boiler. We have two different CO monitors which have never registered the presence of CO, but there seems to be a general ‘boiler smell’ associated with our system in the furnace room and, to a lesser degree, in our basement. 

We currently have a single 4” pipe which draws air directly from outside and is attached to the area near the front of our boiler. We also have a low vent in the door and a high vent in the wall both right near the boiler. 

Is it possible to arrange for enough air to come from outside that we could block the vents leading to the other rooms of the basement and (ideally) mitigate some of the boiler smell. 

Our boiler system is cast iron and the boiler itself is a Raypak model that is maybe 30 or so years old. 

Thanks!

Jamie Hall

Well, yes you can. You would need a much bigger fresh air line from outside, however.

Before you do that, though, how long has it been since the burner and boiler were thoroughly cleaned and adjusted by a competent tech. with the necessary test instruments and the knowledge to use them? And how long since the breeching and chimney were thoroughly inspected? Should be done at least annually.

A properly cleaned and adjusted burner, with adequate draught, will almost never have more than a very transient smell.

STEVEusaPA

Need a lot more information.
For starters you shouldn't have any smell so you need to investigate, figure out why you have smell. Improper draft, lack of combustion air, something making the house negative pressure, improper combustion adjustment, dirty heat exchanger, blocked/failing chimney, and on and on.
What type of boiler-make model #, oil/gas/propane, size?
Is the 4" pipe connected to a fan?

swellman

It’s a natural gas boiler, a raypak 135WT. It’s definitely possible that it hasn’t been cleaned out in awhile and could be a dirty heat exchanger... 

I’m wondering if it’s possible there have been too many things piled up in the furnace room that perhaps the total air in that room isn’t as much as it use to be or just not allowing for good air flow like it should have? I’ve reorganized the room to make more space. I don’t know how much it will help. 

The 4” pipe is not connected to a fan.