Power Vent Question.

Hello all, Looking to install a coal stoker boiler in my basement and use the existing chimney if possible for this purpose. It is only about a 10 year old chimney. Living in a 2 story 1900's farm house.

My question is as follows. I currently have an oil boiler into this chimney. When they installed this oil burner 4 years ago (prior to my buying the home) They started to build another chimney. Then decided to remove the existing coal furnace and so stopped building the chimney.

What they had done so far was the masonry about 1' above ground outside with the liner inside and into the basement. So the L portion if that makes any sense...

My question is do they make a power vent that I could rig up on top of what they have done thus far? switch the oil burner pipe to that flue liner in the basement and use the chimney for the coal boiler?

Its a little tough at my house for a power vent thru the basement wall. the ground level in that area is to the bottom of the siding almost. its an old stone foundation so if I could use what they already have and rig something to sit on top of that flue it would work better for me.

any suggestions or websites to check out please let me know! Thanks.

I don't know why you couldn't rig up a well designed adapter to top off the short flue liner, put in an elbow and mount the powerventer on the elbow.. you would have to rig up a bracket to support the weight of the powerventer, but it certainly is doable..

But make sure you check it out with a manometer to make sure you get adequate draft for the oil burner... it is non standard, so you must cover all the bases.. Safety first.

Greg L

Hey, Mark, Why don't you just finish the chimney? Someone has already done the hard part(getting thru the wall and put in the base). A couple of cases of beer and some steaks might get some friends to help? Or, with the slow down in construction you could get a mason to put it up for a good price(cash is king)This way you don't have to service the PV or replace it in a few years. The price of the venter could pay for a big chunk of material and you would have good chimney if you need it. I've seen alot of oil units with PV or DV's and the first few years they were ok but then if they are not taken care of they will cost big$$$ to repair or replace.

Well that is a good question on finishing it and I am considering it.

I have a few things going for me. My dad is a brick layer.. although he hasn't done it in about 10 years he knows how... just not as agile as he used to be on the scaffold.

Though the bigger reason is that this chimney appears to be almost too close to a window on the first floor then another on the second floor. So close in fact that I think it would even be cover over about 4" of them. blocking them. I had though of replacing them with smaller windows. which I guess would be the best method if I go with a chimney.

Very undecided. I can see putting the money into the chimney instead of a power vent because the chimney will last a much longer time..

Agh. decisions.

I believe you can find chimney blocks that are 'U' shaped, open on one side. this could save you the 4" you are talking about... Or, you could cut the end off of the full square chimney block, using a saw, you can rent the gas powered ones pretty cheap, and just cut all the block, at one time, and take the saw back, for usually a minimum charge.

With the open side placed against the other block chimney, and a terracotta liner, you would have a perfectly safe, full masonry chimney... And an added bonus would be the 'C' blocks or 'U' blocks would weigh less and be less work on your Dad.

Necessity is the 'mother of invention'..

Greg L

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Maybe you can talk Dad into teaching you to do block laying while your still on the ground and then you can be the guy on the "high steel" and he can be the ground man. He can also keep an eye on the steaks!!

These are good ideas. A picture would help in this situation. the new "foundation" for the chimney is about 1' from the other chimney so butting them up together I don't think will work. IF they were right beside each other that would have been nice.

I really think the power vent rigged up will be the ticket. I might try to take a picture to show you guys the situation. Thanks!

You could "corbel" it over next to the other, the way 2 flue chimneys are done when one flue is for the firebox and the other for the heating unit is brought up and around the fire box to run right next to the other flue. It looks good when it's done right.

Crazy. talked to dad tonight on the phone and asked him about the "corbel" he said sure we could do that! so that is good it may work out good after all. I'll have him come by in the next few weeks to have a look but it looks promsing...

Thanks for the correct terminology!

Mark,

You're dad is a brick layer? You are all set my man. He will get you a nice pertty littl' chimney. You do th eheavy luggin' and he does the masonry and you'll have that bad boy up in no time!!