Side Venting Flue Systems
From Cornburning
Generally it is best to use a Vertical Vent System or chimney on furnaces and boilers. However this could be cost prohibitive to run a long stainless steel chimney, or it could be difficult because all your chimney flues are already in use. In this case, a side venting system could be installed. However:
- You might get some smell back into the house because you are not above the roof
- The fins on the fan will collect fly ash and reduce the amount of draft you need to pull ..
- Perhaps the houses next to you will complain if they real close
- If you have a power outtage you could overheat and warp your boiler or heat exchanger while the fire burns down.
Here is some good information on the power venter, maybe some of you might have an interest in this.. It seems to be working for the Amazing Heat Units but I'm sure it will for many other units too.
The only power vent that will work must have a paddle fan verses a squirrel cage fan. The one I originally tried had a squirrel cage fan and needed to be cleaned every 2-3 weeks, which was too much hassle for me. It must be made of stainless steel to prevent, or reduce the affects of corrosion from condensation since the flue temperatures are low, and there will be condensation.
The only one Iâve found to date that works is a Tjernlund SideShot model SS2. Itâs made for oil-burning furnaces, has a paddle fan, and is made of Stainless steel. The manual states you must keep the inlet temperature above 250 degrees to prevent condensation, thatâs about the maximum out of the A-Maize-Ing Heat furnace. I checked with their technical support, and they said lower temperatures would be OK, but you will get condensation, and some scale buildup at the seams. Also make sure when you run your stove pipe to the vent the male end of the pipe is down to make sure any moisture running down the inside of the pipe stays inside. This is the correct way to install any flue or stovepipe, but some people donât know this. I ran one of these for 8 weeks on a test furnace in the Spring of 2004 with no problems
Halfway thru the 2004-2005 season, one customer was having no problems after spending a week or so adjusting it. The other customer was having problems with a tube that senses whether the blower is operating plugging up, and the unit would shutdown. He would then have to open the unit up and clean off the end of the tube. To do this he had to put the furnace out to prevent the smoke from backing up in the house.
SIDESHOT® Series Models: SS2, SS1, SS1C The SideShot® models SS1 and SS2 SideWall Vent Systems include the UC1 Universal Control for increased safety, performance and reliability. Designed for oil fired heating equipment or a deluxe gas vent system. Patented vent termination propels flue gases at high velocities away from the building exterior, a necessity when venting oil fired equipment. Both models can be installed with zero clearance to combustible materials and have stainless steel construction in critical areas. Factory wired safety and operating controls allow for simple interlock with any burner. The new model SS2 features a self-cleaning stainless steel, backward inclined impeller and sealed ball bearing motor for virtually maintenance free installations. Ultra-fine draft adjustment and slide-out access to all internal components. Easy multiple appliance interlocks with our MAC Series multiple appliance controls.
http://www.tjernlund.com/oilsidewall.htm
Tall's Ash Trap
