Open-flue boiler replacement
Posted: November 23rd, 2016, 10:41 am
My existing old Thorn gas boiler still gives excellent service, but I need to plan for the day when it doesn’t.
Gas is fed from 22mm piping (with one gas fire tapped off it), so the gas supply should be adequate without re-piping, and the present boiler site even has a convenient indoor waste pipe to take the condensate without the risk of freezing.
But routing a new balanced flue from the existing boiler cupboard would be very difficult and it would have a long tortuous path with many joints (and hence many inspection hatches). Siting the boiler elsewhere would necessitate extensive re-piping for both gas and water.
The present open-flued boiler vents though a chimney with a seamless metal liner, and takes air from the room (which has approved air vents).
My house needs a substantial boiler (the Vaillant Ecotec 438 looks attractive), but such boilers all have a room-sealed (‘Cnn’) flue classification.
Is there any way to use the existing flue?
Gas is fed from 22mm piping (with one gas fire tapped off it), so the gas supply should be adequate without re-piping, and the present boiler site even has a convenient indoor waste pipe to take the condensate without the risk of freezing.
But routing a new balanced flue from the existing boiler cupboard would be very difficult and it would have a long tortuous path with many joints (and hence many inspection hatches). Siting the boiler elsewhere would necessitate extensive re-piping for both gas and water.
The present open-flued boiler vents though a chimney with a seamless metal liner, and takes air from the room (which has approved air vents).
My house needs a substantial boiler (the Vaillant Ecotec 438 looks attractive), but such boilers all have a room-sealed (‘Cnn’) flue classification.
Is there any way to use the existing flue?