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Convert boiler to direct vent.

Snowmelt
Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,405
I’m converting a boiler to direct vent with a fan. Supply house told me if I put the fan close to an outside wall I can use smoke pipe, when I get out side or on other side of fan I can use stainless steel? Would that be the correct way of doing this?

Comments

  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    Powervent not direct vent.
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,506
    Which boiler, which kind of fan.
    steve
  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,405
    edited May 2019
    Weil McLain 140,000 btu chimney vented, changing to power vented, the boiler less then ten years old and there building an addition and want to remove the chimney.

    Note... I was called from someone doing the plumbing to just put the boiler direct fan on the unit and run it outside the house. Not to try to upsell them anything.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,177
    Oil or gas? And is that boiler listed to be used with a power vent? If not... don't do it.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,405
    I’m not sure I think they want to convert it. It’s a gas CGA
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,177
    I don't see anything in the manuals for the CGAs which provides for power venting... I'd contact Weil-McLain to see if they have any comments. Otherwise... you may be experimenting on your own.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    delta T
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    I agree with Jamie.
    Steve Minnich
    delta T
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 1,954
    I think that field control makes a conversion kit. Will probably void manufacturer warranty
  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,405
    I think the boiler is past it’s warrantee, my supply house says they do make a fan in a can for this?
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,455
    @Snowmelt

    Has nothing to do with the boiler age, warranty or what the supply house says.

    Gas appliances are listed to be vented a certain way. I would call Weil McLain directly and ask

    Just tryin to keep you out of trouble
    GroundUp
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    “Fan in a can” brings in combustion air for the appliance.
    Steve Minnich
    Solid_Fuel_ManSTEVEusaPA
  • mikeg2015
    mikeg2015 Member Posts: 1,194
    I think field control does make kits, which most importantly have pressure switches to verify fan operation just like an other induced draft appliance.

    But I think you’ll need a barometric damper and combustion analysis to fine tube the airflow to get it back to specs.

    Ultimately, the boiler doesn’t care what happens to the flue gases. Just so that the fuel air ratio is correct and secondary air is adequate to prevent condensation in single wall pipe while also not wasting too much energy. You will mainly end up with excess secondary air and waste energy sucking air out of the house. No different than having a really tall chimney.
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,230
    If the appliance comes with hood you require permission from utility and provincial safety to remove it.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    jumper said:

    If the appliance comes with hood you require permission from utility and provincial safety to remove it.

    In the case of the Field and Tjernlund power venter kits, the existing draft hood or barometric damper stays in place. The combustion appliance itself is not modified.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • John Mills_5
    John Mills_5 Member Posts: 950
    Those normally mount at the outside wall. Outside the house is a hood like a big dryer vent. You run b-vent to the power ventor. They also show a barometric i the horizontal run. We've used them on 80% furnaces but not atmospheric draft boilers.


  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,405
    I’m going to find out the hard way, that’s what I will be doing Friday