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Do I need a chimney liner?

bdp1999
bdp1999 Member Posts: 20
in THE MAIN WALL

I have clay flue for a low efficiency hot water tank in the Detroit area. Is it necessary that I get a stainless steel liner when the clay flue is being used? I also have a high efficiency furnace which is exhausted through pvc in another area.

What's the best way to measure the chimney for a liner?

Is this chimney liner necessary?

Comments

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,115

    Interior or exterior chimney?

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • bdp1999
    bdp1999 Member Posts: 20

    Exterior

  • bdp1999
    bdp1999 Member Posts: 20

    Btu 40,000 hot water tank

  • offdutytech
    offdutytech Member Posts: 190

    @bdp1999 Yes, technically by MI code you do need a chimney liner. It might be more cost effective to just install a power vent hot water heater that is side wall vented. Depending on the chimney sometimes we have to rent a boom lift to install one. If that's the case the labor, lift rental, liner kit it's almost cheaper and more effective to just install a power vent hot water tank.

    Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,020

    You would almost certainly benefit from a SS chimney liner. Just one 40 K btu appliance venting in to a clay-lined chimney (8 x8, or 8 x 12) is not ideal. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • bdp1999
    bdp1999 Member Posts: 20

    Can you be more descriptive with the power vent hot water tank?

    Mad Dog_2Long Beach Ed
  • psb75
    psb75 Member Posts: 1,033

    Its a regular gas or oil water heater (tank) with an electric blower that can vent out the side wall like your furnace does.

  • bdp1999
    bdp1999 Member Posts: 20
    edited April 9

    Would that be more cost effective or an electric water non-tank?

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,367

    At one time your home must have had a central heating furnace or boiler that was connected to the clay lined chimney along with your water heater.  When the replacement PVC vented central heater was installed, there was a portion of the venting instructions that had wording similar to this.   “When replacing a chimney vented heating system with this PVC vented heating system, make arrangements for the proper venting of any appliances that are connected to that common vent.”  referring to your 40,000 BTU water heater being left to vent in that oversized chimney.

    So technically the installer of the replacement furnace or boiler did not follow the manufacturer's instructions when they left the water heater connected to the clay lined chimney. But that is water over the dam.  Depending on the age of your existing water heater or the condition of your chimney, you have some choices. 

    1. Do nothing and the chimney will probably deteriorate slowly over time.  There may or may not be a problem with flue gas roll-out into your home with this situation.  Recommend that you purchase a low level CO detector. (not the one you get at Home Depot that will let you know that there is CO after you have already inhaled too much.)  
    2. Purchase a liner that is the proper size for your 40,000 BTU heater
    3. Purchase a water heater that vents with PVC that does not require a conventional chimney 
    4. Purchase a water heater that operates on electricity that does not need to be vented.  

    There are different costs for each choice and you need to weigh those costs based on your situation. 

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,906

    Or a heat pump water heater. Check for rebates here

    www.dsireusa.org

    Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 8.20.09 AM.png
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    ethicalpaul
  • bdp1999
    bdp1999 Member Posts: 20

    Thanks!

  • psb75
    psb75 Member Posts: 1,033

    Definitely get a heat pump water heater if you can. Check your electrical panel to see if you can put in a double 30 amp breaker dedicated to the new unit. And plan for getting rid of the condensate.

  • captainco
    captainco Member Posts: 809

    How many days does a water heater operate the furnace or boiler aren't running? Is it easier for the water the water heater to vent after they are removed? If you don't know it is because you don't measure

    If the chimney is bad then you do.

    Mad Dog_2PeteA
  • bdp1999
    bdp1999 Member Posts: 20

    The Chimney is good. I'm going to have a couple contracts come out this weekend and price compare. What a good price for a 25-30' SS liner install?

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,537

    It's against the rules of this site to discuss the pricing of a job like that. Get a couple quotes and you'll know what they are going for in your area.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    HeatingHelp.com

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