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Energy Kinetics EK1 flue liner condensation

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arcticman
arcticman Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 39
edited May 9 in Oil Heating

We live in Alaska and I'm getting mixed opinions regarding using a flue liner with the EK1 in a cold climate.

Will installing a 5" liner into the existing ~30 foot 7" double walled SS vertical flue create a problem with condensation forming and collecting at the bottom of the 7" flue and then dripping on top of the boiler?

Thanks

Comments

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,542
    edited May 9

    It will depends on conditions . ….. North facing outside wall chimneys are the coldest , If there is a concern you can insulate the liner in …

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • arcticman
    arcticman Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 39

    Thanks Ed

    The existing 7" flue is not on an outside wall. It runs near the center of the house from the boiler thru 2 heated floors then thru the attic. The flue cap is near the roof peak. Any cold air exposer would come from the top down from the flue cap…. and cold air in the attic.

    It can be -20 degrees F for days at time here…. sometimes even colder.

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,495

    I'm no chimney expert, but IMO an interior 5 inch flue sleeved through a 7 inch B vent(?) chimney shouldn't be an issue with condensation. As long a the flue gas temperature at steady state (taken from the upper port) is 350° net or above. I would also seal the crown so there's no gap between the 5 and 7 up top. @Bob Harper would know chapter and verse.

    EBEBRATT-EdBig Ed_4
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,316

    Agree with @HVACNUT

    I would thing the smaller liner would heat fast and not be a problem. Is this a new boiler and liner install or is the boiler existing and the liner is to be added?

  • arcticman
    arcticman Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 39

    This is for new EK1 boiler to replace a 30 yr. old WM WTGO-5.

    The 5" liner is to accommodate the EK1 flue size requirements.

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,495
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896177#Comment_1896177

    Ok, back to the beginning. The existing chimney should be triple wall, not double wall. If it is triple wall rated for oil, why not just get a 7x5 reducer and connect there?

  • arcticman
    arcticman Member, Email Confirmation Posts: 39

    I'm a layman… but from what I've learned it has something to do with draft? or air pressure? to balance exhaust from the boiler and apparently using a 5" to 7" adapter out of the boiler and exhausting thru 30 feet of 7" flue will not work correctly.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,316

    @arcticman

    EK monitors this forum often. They will probably comment in a few days or less. Their customer service is excellent.

    arcticman
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 7,495
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896183#Comment_1896183

    Out of the boiler is 4 inch. From that point it should be increased to 5 inch. There should be no issue adapting 5 inch to the existing 7 inch triple wall as long as the triple wall is rated, in good condition, and is the correct height.

    Screenshot_20260510_052221_Samsung Notes.jpg

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