Unlined Chimney

 
Alfred
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Post by Alfred » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 5:39 pm

I have been using an oiled fired boiler for over 20 years in an old farmhouse with an unlined chimney. Apparently I am grandfathered under an outdated standard, that at the time, did not require a chimney liner. Current law (code) says that if I were to replace the existing boiler, then I would be required to have the chimney lined.

Are the risks of burning coal in an unlined chimney similar to that of burning oil in an unlined chimney?

Thanks,

Al


 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 5:47 pm

No expert here...IMO, about the same. :)

 
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blrman07
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Post by blrman07 » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 5:50 pm

Welcome to the forum. Before we can possibly comment on your situation we need a bit more information. First off will be what area do you live? Who told you that if you replace the boiler you have to put a liner in the chimney? What and why do you want to replace the boiler? As you can see a lot of info would be needed before we can even comment.

Rev. Larry

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 5:53 pm

Welcome to the forum.
Alfred wrote:Are the risks of burning coal in an unlined chimney similar to that of burning oil in an unlined chimney?
The risks are the same. I think that coal is generally easier on the chimney because it provides a steady flue temperature won't cause condensation on the inside of the chimney, but you still need to make sure the chimney is structurally sound.

 
Alfred
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Post by Alfred » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:10 pm

blrman07 wrote:Welcome to the forum. Before we can possibly comment on your situation we need a bit more information. First off will be what area do you live? Who told you that if you replace the boiler you have to put a liner in the chimney? What and why do you want to replace the boiler? As you can see a lot of info would be needed before we can even comment.

Rev. Larry
Hello Rev. Larry.

Maine code requires a chimney liner when installing a new boiler/furnace when the chimney is unlined. My question relates to the possibility that I might burn coal on the existing flue that I am also burning oil on. I know, there are two No-No's here. But I am trying to determine the risks here so that I can make an informed decision that I can live with - like in "continuing to live".

I live in this big old drafty farmhouse that I plan on selling next year. It is very expensive to heat this house with oil. I was hoping to lower my costs by burning coal in addition to oil.

I was thinking about warming up the basement with a coal burning stove. Rising heat would also warm the floor above. I was thinking about placing the stove near the oil fired boiler and tapping in to the existing stove pipe.

Al

 
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Post by ntp71 » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:17 pm

Alfred wrote:
I live in this big old drafty farmhouse that I plan on selling next year. It is very expensive to heat this house with oil. I was hoping to lower my costs by burning coal in addition to oil.

I was thinking about warming up the basement with a coal burning stove. Rising heat would also warm the floor above. I was thinking about placing the stove near the oil fired boiler and tapping in to the existing stove pipe.

Al
Well...I aint's no expert, buts if I were you's I would insulate that sucker first. Once I insulated my old house I was able to reduce my heating bill by 3/5 's. Then I added a coal burning unit. I bought the blow in type insulation from Lowes and I was able to do a 2 story home for less than $1000 with the help of a good friend.

My chimney is also unlined and I have been looking to line it with the help of the people at the Chimney Liner Depot.

http://www.chimneylinerdepot.com/

Neal

 
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Post by Wiz » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:20 pm

Don't tell anyone your replacing boiler
...codes :blah: thats my story


 
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Post by Rob R. » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:26 pm

If the chimney is sized properly and drafts well, the arrangement you mentioned can work very well....but it will not meet code (I guess it doesn't meet code already due to the lack of liner). I would not do this with a wood stove, but with a coal stove (no creosote) you should be able to achieve your goal of warming up the basement with a small investment.

 
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Post by Alfred » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:31 pm

Wiz wrote:Don't tell anyone your replacing boiler
...codes :blah: thats my story
Oh I know that story all too well. Keeping your mouth shut is especially good practice in a small town like I live in. At the same time I don't want to do anything stupid that would end up killing me. I suspect that what I am intending to do will be alright. But I'd like to hear what others have to say before I actually do this. Thanks - Al

 
Alfred
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Post by Alfred » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:35 pm

ntp71 wrote:
Alfred wrote:
I live in this big old drafty farmhouse that I plan on selling next year. It is very expensive to heat this house with oil. I was hoping to lower my costs by burning coal in addition to oil.

I was thinking about warming up the basement with a coal burning stove. Rising heat would also warm the floor above. I was thinking about placing the stove near the oil fired boiler and tapping in to the existing stove pipe.

Al
Well...I aint's no expert, buts if I were you's I would insulate that sucker first. Once I insulated my old house I was able to reduce my heating bill by 3/5 's. Then I added a coal burning unit. I bought the blow in type insulation from Lowes and I was able to do a 2 story home for less than $1000 with the help of a good friend.

My chimney is also unlined and I have been looking to line it with the help of the people at the Chimney Liner Depot.

http://www.chimneylinerdepot.com/

Neal
Your right about insulation. My house is insulated, its the basement that is the problem. Stone walls become freezer walls in winter time. What I need to do is excavate around the entire rock foundation and insulate with rigid insulating foam panels. I haven't been able to afford that.

Thanks,

Al

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:37 pm

Can't the floor be insulated underneath?
Last edited by McGiever on Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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Post by grumpy » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:38 pm

If you need to reline......


 
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Post by Rigar » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:44 pm

...for the hell of it-...look into what they consider a "liner"..
do you currently have clay flu tiles. ???

 
Alfred
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Post by Alfred » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:47 pm

Rob R. wrote:If the chimney is sized properly and drafts well, the arrangement you mentioned can work very well....but it will not meet code (I guess it doesn't meet code already due to the lack of liner). I would not do this with a wood stove, but with a coal stove (no creosote) you should be able to achieve your goal of warming up the basement with a small investment.
I was thinking the same thing Rob. Thanks.

 
Alfred
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Post by Alfred » Fri. Nov. 29, 2013 6:49 pm

Rigar wrote:...for the hell of it-...look into what they consider a "liner"..
do you currently have clay flu tiles. ???
No, no clay tiles, just brick, single brick for that matter.

Al


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