what kind of professional do I need

Cheryl Shipman

I have an old and ineffiecient gas heater, and a chimney in serious need of repair. It's been suggested that I kill two birds with one stone and replace the furnace with a high-efficiency furnace which won't need a chimney. I can therefore have the chimney removed instead of replaced (and maybe get the whole project financed by an energy-conservation loan.)

What kind of expert/professional do I need to do this job properly? I also have a gas water heater which currently vents through the chimney. What should I be concerned about, other issues to consider, etc? And, first things first, is it true that a high-efficiency funace can siomply be vented at the basement level and won't need a chimney?


Cheryl

Unknown

Yes

Look at this combination, it is one of many that will allow you to remove the chimney.

http://www.slantfin.com/prod-victoryvsph.html

http://www.slantfin.com/prod-wh.html

Noel

Constantin

Decisions...

There are many furnaces and boilers than can be direct-vented right out of the box. All condensing furnaces (for air heat) and boilers (for water-based heat) fall into that category. Non-condensing appliances can also be vented out the side, though they usually require a powerventer, which can get noisy.

The size of the vent terminal on the side of your house is function of the temperature of the gases, and the folks who designed it (some exterior sidewall vents can only be described as enormous). One thing to consider is whether you have any wall sections that have no windows nearby, as most vent installations require 8 feet distance from any exhaust to the closest opening in the house.

Unless you are using air to heat your home, you can easily combine the boiler and a so-called indirect water heater to efficienctly and quickly heat potable water as well. Several companies have brought out paired sets, such as Heat-Transfer Products' Munchkin and Superstor, the Viessmann Vitodens and Vitocell series, Weil-McLain Ultra Series, etc.

What kind of heat emitters do you have? Baseboard, radiators, in-floor heat, etc?