new boiler for use with old 4\" flue?

Brad_12

I have a circa 1940s Bethlehem Dynatherm oil-fired boiler that heats hot water radiators and my domestic hot water. It uses a 4" flue. Our house is circa 1888, brick ,and has an in-wall chimney (no "bump-out" on the inside or outside) I think is about 3"x8". My heating service company tells me that most new oil-fired boilers require a 6" flue. I have no place to build a new chimney if I wanted to (I don't). I also don't really want to switch to a gas-fired unit that is power--vented to the outside through the foundation. There would be no good location for that either, due to a wrap-around porch, etc. How can I find a replacement boiler that can use my existing 4" chimney? I don't currently have gas in the house, but it's available on my street. I am willing to switch to gas if necessary, but I prefer oil. This is not currently an emergency but I want to be prepared for the day I need to replace my trusty old Dynatherm.

Mark Hunt

I would


switch to gas and get a wall hung condensing boiler.

The PVC vents can be dropped down the existing chimney.

We did just that on a brownstone that is being remodeled.

Munchkin T-80 wall hung and we used the 3"x8" chimney as a chase.

Mark H

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Rit Roberts_2

4\" flue

The Energy Kinetics EK-1 boiler has a 4" flue. It is set up for heat and domestic hot water. I have been having real good luck with these boilers for over fifteen years. They run cool so you may have a condensation problem if the chimney is cool. Here in Maine we have to have lined chimneys, is yours lined?

Kevin Emery

new boiler and old 4\" flue?

I believe you have a RB series Dynatherm boiler. The new FP series has a 5" flue, though it can be reduced to a 4" if the run is less than 6' to the chimney. Your 6" chimney is what is required for the new Dynatherm FP, Another advantage to replacing the RB with the FP is that the plumbing will match up.

Joe Brix

If your flue is truely 3x8

then you have slightly more volume then a 5" round vent. There are many oil fired models with 5" flues. You might have to get a larger thimble to pipe into the chimney. The only issue is you probably can't get a liner in there, so a regular low 80% efficency boiler will be required.

Bruce M.

Dynatherm Web Site

Go here and call up the company and ask them. They may have a kit to upgrade your present boiler. I am sure they can answer your question.
http://www.dynathermboiler.com/

Contact Kerry via E-mail

43 E Cherry Road
Quakertown PA 18951

(215) 536-4078 - FAX (215) 536-8960

Al Gregory

I love the internet. I never would have thought they were still making them.

freyheating265342

I agree with Mr Roberts, the Energy Kinetics System 2000 is the way to go. I have two EK1 boilers, one at home and one in a rental property. The stack temp. on the EK1 runs about 300.... Your Dynatherm boiler, even at that age, runs aprox. 200 stack temp. The EK1 would give you a hotter stack temp, but still might not be hot enough to keep the combustion gasses from condensing....Another option might be, install a boiler with an stack temp of 450 (Slant fin or another) and power vent in to your chimney. some power vents come in 4" on both ends and could be adapted to a new thimble in your chimney. Has anyone out there seen this type of venting before or would a draft inducer work as well or am I just thinking a little to far out of the box.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Al

Your right about the internet! And to think a few years back I couldn't even turn a computer on.

Ed

Steamhead

Impressive Specs

Those are some of the highest AFUE numbers I've seen on oil, and it looks like they use standard burners. And yours has lasted since the 1940s- wonder if they've made any construction changes since then that might shorten its life span?

If not, this might be the exception to Dan's recent statement to the effect that to keep up with efficiency improvements, boilers should be replaced every 15 years or so.

Brad, when you get in touch with Dynatherm, see if they ever work the Wall.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Lurch

I was recently at the Dynatherm plant. They pointed out a boiler to us stamped year1957, they said that it was in perfect operational condition. We were told that the homeowner traded in the boiler for the purchase of a new one. They showed us the tubes they use, they went to a thicker gauge also they pointed out that the steel shell is the same thickness as it has been since the beginning.
Our next boiler installation will be a Dynatherm.

Steamhead

\"Trading in a boiler\"

I've never heard of that.

Too bad they don't make a steam version........

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"