Sidewall venting

annie11771

Looking for advice.

We were just told our chimney is collapsing  and for safety reasons the home maintenance company shut off our gas boiler.

We can rebuild the chimney and install a liner- but we are wondering if we can also consider venting through a side wall as a viable option.  We live in New York State.

ChrisJ

annie11771 said:

Looking for advice.

We were just told our chimney is collapsing  and for safety reasons the home maintenance company shut off our gas boiler.

We can rebuild the chimney and install a liner- but we are wondering if we can also consider venting through a side wall as a viable option.  We live in New York State.

What kind of boiler and heating system do you have?
If possible it may help if you can supply some pictures of the boiler showing all of the piping around it?

EBEBRATT-Ed

We need to know if you have gas or oil and the make and model of your boiler or furnace

annie11771

It is a Slant Fin, Victory.  I don’t believe it’s high efficiency (90% AFUE) so I’m doubtful it can be vented out a side wall. It may come down to whether it’s more cost effective to get a new gas boiler and do the side vent, or repair the chimney and put in a liner.  House was built in 1910….

JUGHNE

Can you show the chimney outside, thru the roof and in the basement?

What part of it is collapsing, the whole thing or just above the roof?

How do you heat your domestic water for faucets etc?

STEVEusaPA

Your HVAC service professional (not a home service provider, whatever that is) can most likely properly install and commission a power venter. It's not a DIY project.

annie11771

Let me clarify- in NO WAY are we considering doing this ourselves!  Just wanted to get an idea of the viability and opinion of you all.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@annie11771

Please see the Victory boiler manual attached. See page 4 it states that "all victory boiler models can be side wall vented" Page 5 has the horizontal venting instructions

When you say the chimney is collapsing do you know if it is the structural part of the chimney or the clay liner? A 1910 house may not have a liner.

In addition, usually it is just the upper part of the chimney that is exposed above the roof that deteriorates and they can usually be rebuilt from just below the roof.

But all cases are different I am just trying to find out what is going on and if whomever inspected it is exaggerating.

Steamhead

@annie11771 , if that were my house I'd re-line the chimney. The reason is that a chimney has no moving parts, unlike a power venter which usually breaks down in the middle of winter.

Also, do local Codes restrict where a power venter may exit the building?

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Steamhead I agree about using the chimney if fixable. I could be wrong but to me it looked like the victory is induced draft and can be horizontally vented with AL29c

Steamhead

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

@Steamhead I agree about using the chimney if fixable. I could be wrong but to me it looked like the victory is induced draft and can be horizontally vented with AL29c

The boiler in the pics has a draft hood, so it can't be induced draft.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Steamhead your right. The pics were not posted earlier when I found the manual. Her post said Victory so that was what i went with

annie11771

Let me begin by saying thank you for the responses.  We are still weighing options- and getting estimates.  I greatly appreciate the different perspectives as to pros and cons of the choices that lie ahead.