High Efficiency & Condensing Heating Boilers & Furnaces
InspectAPedia^® -

High efficiency boilers & furnaces: guide to
How to inspect a high efficiency heating boiler or furnace
How to diagnose loss of heat, cold radiators, cold furnace air, noises, smells, all other heating problems
Gas piping hazards, repairs
Carbon monoxide hazards
Condensing or High Efficiency Furnace and boiler hazards, safety recalls
Plastic Condensing Boiler/Furnace Chimney and vent safety, product recalls, inspection; chimney soot & draft problem diagnosis, repair
Direct vent chimneys & flues - through wall venting for heating appliances can eliminate the vertical chimney
Questions & answers about high efficiency heating boilers & condensing boilers: inspection, diagnosis, maintenance, & repair advice

High efficiency & condensing heating boilers guide: Here we explain the installation, operation & maintenance as well as defect inspections for high efficiency oil and gas fired heating boilers & furnaces, condensing boilers, and similar energy-saving equipment.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

High Efficiency Heating Boiler or Furnace Inspection Methods, Diagnosis, Safety, Repairs

This website answers most questions about all types of heating systems and gives important inspection, safety, and repair advice. Also see CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE. If you don't know what kind of heat your building uses, we explain how to figure out the answer at HEATING SYSTEM TYPES. If your heating system is not working properly, see NO HEAT - BOILER or NO HEAT - FURNACE . The heating system articles provided at this website explain how to inspect and detect defects and hazards on heating systems, boilers, furnaces, and other equipment. Our page top sketch of a gas-fired high efficiency heating furnace is provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

The three heating furnace illustrations, one at page top and two more just below, provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, offer a quick comparison of conventional, mid-efficiency, and high-efficiency gas-fired heating furnaces.

Conventional efficiency gas furnace (C) Carson Dunlop

High Efficiency Heating System Reference Manuals, Inspection & Diagnosis Detailed Articles

Carrier Model BW9 Gas-Fired Condensing Boiler Manual - Gas Fired Direct Vent Condensing Boiler - Example Installation & Operating Manual
Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE - review of damage to heat exchangers or flues caused by condensation & corrosi9on in high-efficiency furnaces and boilers; what about older heating equipment and duty cycle condensation?
Goodman Furnace High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV safety recall US CPSC notice
Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection/Warranty Program: Carbon Monoxide Warning
Lennox Furnace Manuals
MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC - for most manufacturers, plus HVAC manufacturer names and contact information

Images courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Watch Out for These Unsafe Side-Wall Venting Errors for High Efficiency Gas Appliances

Vent condensate freeze (C) Daniel Friedman

All direct-vented or sidewall vented heating appliances have safety guidelines about placement of the wall-vent. Our photo (above left) shows ice formation below a direct vented appliance - you can see what happens if the vent is not properly pitched or located: ice can block the vent completely - an unsafe condition. Our gas appliance vent condensate freeze up shown at above right may be a more serious safety concern in the making.

Pulse Combustion & High Efficiency Heating Furnaces or Boilers - Visual Inspection

High efficiency heater problems (C) Daniel Friedman

OK so the homeowner was thrilled to see a high-efficiency heater in her new home. But just removing the covers for an inexpert visual inspection raised a question: what about that burn mark? Below, the two images, courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, describe how a pulse furnace works.

The sketch at below left applies to both conventional and high-efficiency gas fired heating appliances, and does not permit vents to extend outside where combustion gases can re-enter the building through a window, nor too close to the ground where venting could be blocked.

The Carson Dunlop Associates at right adds unsafe sidewall vent locations peculiar to high efficiency heating furnaces.

Images courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Direct Vent or Through Wall Vent Chimneys & Flues

Avoid a building fire with do-it-yourself thorugh-wall chimneys & flues

Our soot stained wall photo (photo at left ) shows what happens at a direct-vented oil-fired heating system when there are multiple errors and unsafe conditions including:

The heater is not working properly and needs immediate service as it is blowing thick dense sooty smoke

The through-wall metal flue vent and "chimney" appears to be a home-made adaption rather than a listed and approved direct-vent device.

The effects of this home made direct-vent "chimney" are quite visible: the siding on the building has been thickly coated with soot. If you (click to) enlarge the photo you 'll also see some interesting reverse thermal tracking effects marking the wall studs. This is an unsafe installation that needs immediate repair.

Our stained wall photo (photo at left ) shows what happens at a direct-vented high-efficiency oil-fired heating boiler if the vent is not properly sloped through the wall.

Condensate accumulates in the vent pipe, dissolves flue gas deposits, and ultimately leaks both outside and back into the equipment.

Here is an inside-view of the same Energy Kinetics High Efficiency Heating Boiler System 2000 from inside. Click to enlarge the photo and look for leak stains on the induced draft fan.

To repair this mistake the installer will have to disassemble the entire vent system, and either remove a bit of masonry block from the bottom of the present wall opening or change the interior flue vent connector piping to slightly raise the inside end of the through wall vent - one or the other - to obtain proper condensate slope and condensate handling on this equipment.

Venting Requirements & Effects of Long Heat Exchangers & Condensation in High Efficiency Heating Equipment

Images courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Text in process.

Special Safety Devices Found in High Efficiency Heating Equipment

High efficiency gas furnace safety devices (C) Carson Dunlop

Images courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Text in process.

Duct Sizing & High Efficiency Heating Furnaces or Boilers

Images courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Text in process

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about high efficiency heating boilers & condensing boilers: inspection, diagnosis, maintenance, & repair advice

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Recommend / Share this Article

...

Technical Reviewers & References

InspectAPedia.com^® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also list books on the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE CE
DIRECT VENTS / SIDE WALL VENTS

Carrier Model BW9 Gas-Fired Condensing Boiler - Gas Fired Direct Vent Condensing Boiler - Example Installation & Operating Manual
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Goodman Furnace High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV safety recall US CPSC notice
HEATING SYSTEMS (see master list of heating articles at page left)
Lennox Furnace Manuals
[1] "Instructions for Installing FIELD Type AF Barometric Draft Controls," Form No. 31 DC 30666, Field Corporation, Mendota, IL 61342, web search 04/02/2011, original source: http://www.fieldcontrols.com/pdfs/04592700.pdf, Field Controls, Kingston, North Carolina 28501, Tel: 919-522-3031
[2] Tjernlund Draft Controls, A Series (single action for oil, solid fuel, and fan-assisted gas burners) and B Series (double action for gas heating appliances), web search 04/02/1011, original source: http://www.tjernlund.com/Tjernlund_8500490.pdf , Tjernlund Products, Inc., 1601 Ninth Street, White Bear Lake MN 55110-6794, Tel: 651-426-2993 or 800-255-4208 website: www.tjernlund.com Email: fanmail@tjfans.com

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ^® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.

Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
DUST CONTAMINATION FROM HVAC? An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
Fuel Oil & Oil Heating Magazine, 3621 Hill Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-331-9545
Home Heating System Should Be Checked [for proper venting and for CO Carbon Monoxide Hazards - DJF]
Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection/Warranty Program: Carbon Monoxide Warning
Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update,
Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
"Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
"Residential Hydronic (circulating hot water) Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
"Warm Air Heating Systems". Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume I, Heating Fundamentals,
Boilers, Boiler Conversions, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2) Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
Installation Guide for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems
Installation Guide #200, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501. (Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.)
...

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

High Efficiency Heating Boiler or Furnace Inspection Methods, Diagnosis, Safety, Repairs

High Efficiency Heating System Reference Manuals, Inspection & Diagnosis Detailed Articles

Watch Out for These Unsafe Side-Wall Venting Errors for High Efficiency Gas Appliances

Pulse Combustion & High Efficiency Heating Furnaces or Boilers - Visual Inspection

Direct Vent or Through Wall Vent Chimneys & Flues

Avoid a building fire with do-it-yourself thorugh-wall chimneys & flues

Venting Requirements & Effects of Long Heat Exchangers & Condensation in High Efficiency Heating Equipment

Special Safety Devices Found in High Efficiency Heating Equipment

Duct Sizing & High Efficiency Heating Furnaces or Boilers

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair