Condensing boiler - wall vented - clouds!

Duh · 6 Nov 2008

Hi All

We had a new condensing (oil) boiler fitted in May.

We had lots of problems with the installation, and many of you kindly helped to solve one of the problems. It enabled us to sort out the installer, and get the pipework done correctly!

The heating is being used most of the day now, and I'm hugely embarrassed by the clouds being vented through the outlet, which is in the wall. The installer originally convinced us that there was no toxic fumes being vented. I've been told that all water condensate is being channelled into the ground. So what is causing my system to produce clouds (of something) when it's firing? It's not a neat little puff, but a 10 foot high cumulus!

All ideas welcome, even those telling me I'm worrying unnecessarily!

JohnD · 6 Nov 2008

they all do that, guv

spacethegas · 6 Nov 2008

its normal when in condensing mode & should have been explained to you.

Duh · 6 Nov 2008

Thanks guys. Should have asked more questions of the installer.

gas4you · 6 Nov 2008

No, the installer should have TOLD YOU all about what to expect when it is running

Duh · 7 Nov 2008

We were told NOTHING Dave.

It would have cost us an extra £200 or so for flue venting at the time, which we would have willingly paid if we'd known how unsightly it

would look. Special permission had to be given by the Council, to sink the condensate pipe into their ground (which borders our house), so we jumped through hoops to save £200! It was a bad saving.

I made lots of calls yesterday, and know that it would cost over £700 to change to flu venting now. We're going to have to send a note through all our neighbours' doors, telling them not to worry - it's not smoke, and it's not toxic fumes!

spacethegas · 7 Nov 2008

i don't understand what the £200 or the £700 figures relate to.

Duh · 7 Nov 2008

When the new boiler was installed we had a choice between venting through the wall, or replacing flue linings, and using the flue to vent. The difference in price was £200. We chose the cheaper option, which was to go through the outside wall.

If we now wanted to get rid of the wall vent, and reroute using our existing flue - all the kits etc (and labour) would cost us in excess of £700. It's a lot of money.

JohnD · 7 Nov 2008

you might consider having a flue clipped to the wall, rather like a chimney, and going up to roof height. On my boiler, there is a kit that has a max height of 10 metres like that.

spacethegas · 7 Nov 2008

thanks i understand now.

as has been said 'pluming' should have been explained to you prior to installation. there may be issues in regard to nuisance by the sound of it also.

Duh · 7 Nov 2008

It's another option, and I'll look into it. We're in the strange situation of the side of our house butting straight up against Council land. An external flue fixed to the side of our house would overhang their land. There may, or may not be a problem...

Thanks for your help and ideas.

gas4you · 7 Nov 2008

So are you saying the the balanced flue for the boiler exits this wal that abutts council land?

If so this is an illegal installation, as no flue should discharge over a boundary. There has to be a minimum of 600mm between the flue and a boundary. 2.5M if you apply building regs.

If this is your case then the installer sounds liable to have to put it right at his expense

Duh · 8 Nov 2008

We're in the unusual situation of having council land abutting our property, as already stated. This land takes the form of a 'quarter of a pie' shaped grass segment, with a tree in the middle. We have no house or other building near the wall where the vent is. The nearest house to this wall is about 50' away.

We sent drawings and specs to the County Council (highways) to gain permission to sink the condensate pipe into a soakaway adjacent to our wall. The drawings detailed all.

Sadly, I think that we've contravened nothing, and can't blame the installer of anything other than being a complete cowboy. We picture future home buyers veiwing our home when the boiler is firing - clouds of 'smoke' coming from the side of the house. It would put many off, and I think that we'll eventually have to bite the bullet and change the flue system.

mehran · 8 Nov 2008

steady on mate...

almost every boiler sold since April 2005 has been condensing models...which means in a few years there be whole streets steaming away

remember the new boiler is doing the same thing as your last boiler was doing, just now doing it better(more efficiency) it is the same old gas that it is burning, with the same old fumes with the same old water vapour that was always been coming out gas boilers. it is just now you can see it

from the sounds of it, it is blowing in to open space so I don't see how your neighbours can have much to say about it.

no need to be so up tight about it

edit: just seen it was a old boiler, the same goes for old... same old oil with the same old water vapour

Duh · 8 Nov 2008

It's good to get grounded! The thought of every other house doing the same thing in a few years time makes me feel a lot better.

Thanks for being sensible, you've helped a lot

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Condensing boiler - wall vented - clouds!

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