Do modern boilers need ventilation? It is an important question that will give you peace of mind if you have taken the precautions and fulfilled all the requirements (if any). Most homeowners are unaware of their boiler ventilation requirement, even though it affects how well your system performs and how safe it is to use in your home. While keeping yourself informed will cost you nothing but time, the benefits of properly ventilated boiler systems are substantial.
Boiler ventilation refers to the process of sending out gases that are created by combustion to prevent them from being trapped in the boiler house, which can cause explosions or asphyxiation, as well as to allow new oxygen to enter the space and aid in combustion.
Every boiler has different ventilation requirements. However, a boiler owner must take great care to make sure that there is enough space around the boiler and boiler engineers can reach it easily for inspection. This article contains everything you need to know about boiler ventilation.
Does your boiler need ventilation or circulation?
Boilers require ventilation or circulation to work properly. But what’s the difference between these two? And what do they both mean for boiler performance?
Ventilation is the process of drawing in the air (oxygen) for fuel combustion to produce heat while exhausting the gases produced. On the other hand, circulation means the area around the boiler that needs to be clear of any objects.
It’s important to keep the space around the boiler free of clutter as they can get very hot and can damage the things placed nearby. Try not to keep things very close to the boiler but if you don’t have any choice at least ensure that the items in close vicinity of the boiler are heat-resistant, nonflammable, and at a safe distance.
Does every boiler need ventilation?
Oxygen is needed by the boilers for combustion and to keep certain parts of the boiler from heating up. Ventilation requirements of a boiler depend upon the type of combustion chamber a boiler has i.e. room-sealed and non-room-sealed. These boilers are also called condensing and non-condensing boilers.
Boilers with a room-sealed combustion chamber (non-condensing) get their air (oxygen) supply while throwing out exhaust waste through a balanced flue pipe system. On the other hand, non-sealed boilers (non-condensing) have a flue pipe that gets rid of combustion byproducts but doesn’t bring in a fresh air supply for burning the gas. Such boilers need a proper ventilation system.
So, before you get into ventilation, you should first figure out if your boiler is ventilated. All modern boilers are condensing boilers that are auto-vented. It means they have internal fans that push air from inside of your home into a flue pipe that exits outside.
If you have bought an old house with an already fitted boiler and you are not sure about the boiler type, occult an expert to check if it’s ventilated or not. In the case of an old non-condensing boiler, I would suggest replacing it with a new condensing boiler to be on the safe side and prevent the hassle of ventilating the boiler.
What is a balanced flue pipe?
All boilers installed after 2005 are condensing boilers. These are extremely efficient in comparison to older types of boilers. They’re easy to maintain, and because they reuse heat from exhaust gases, they also help you save on your heating bills along with being more environment-friendly. They use a balanced flue pipe that eliminates the need of ventilating them.
A balanced flue pipe is a specially designed pipe that can intake and exhaust air simultaneously. It comes with two tubes; one tube introduces oxygen into the boiler while the other takes away exhaust gases to the outside. Older boilers have only one tube in the flue pipe that gets rid of exhaust but can’t let oxygen into the boiler so they need a ventilation system for safe operation.
Ventilation requirements for different boiler types
These days the common boiler types that are used in homes are condensing types. While they don’t require ventilation but they have other requirements that are necessary for high performance.
A) Combi boilers
These are small in size so you can conveniently place them in restricted spaces such as cupboards and under the sink. Combi boilers are tankless but very efficient in heating the water taken directly from the main pipe. The best part is they are condensing boilers so you don’t need to ventilate them.
B) System boilers
System boilers require a big storage tank to keep heated water ready for use in large households. You can’t put them in confined spaces as they need a proper circulating space around them for operating efficiently. These are also room-sealed or condensing boilers so ventilation is the least of your worries.
C) Conventional boilers
Forget putting this one in the cupboard! This boiler system comprises a boiler, a hot water tank, and a cold water tank. You’ll need a lot of space to install this conventional or heat-only boiler. Also, you’ll need to ensure clear space around it and easy access to it. If you have a conventional gas boiler that was made after 2005 or an oil boiler made after 2007, it is a condensing boiler that doesn’t need ventilation.
Should a boiler be enclosed?
Depending on your local building codes, you can enclose or leave your boiler exposed. However, for aesthetic reasons many homeowners choose to enclose it in a box or kitchen cupboard. Enclosing a boiler is a completely safe option as long as you follow the regulations and manufacturer’s manual regarding boiler installation and ventilation. While boxing in the boiler ensure that it is easily reachable for maintenance and inspection.
How much space do you need around a boiler?
As standard, leave a minimum of 50mm gap all around the boiler from the cupboard. Also, ensure that the box or cupboard holding the boiler isn’t air-tight as your boiler needs free air circulation around it. It is also advisable to have some space above and below the boiler. If you know your boiler’s dimensions beforehand, leave some extra centimeters in the box in addition to the suggested clearance to be on the safe side.
Ensure that these conditions of space are fulfilled:
- The cupboard should open fully to provide access to the boiler engineer
- Provide a 300mm space between the boiler top and cupboard roof
- There should be at least 100mm space under the boiler and the cupboard base
- There must be a gap of 700mm between the cupboard front and opposite wall
Does a boiler in the cupboard need ventilation?
You can put a modern boiler with a balanced flue pipe in a cupboard without worrying about its ventilation requirements. Older non-condensing boilers were not recommended for bedroom installation but you can install a new condensing boiler in your bedroom without any safety concerns.
Conclusion
As a final note, remember that condensing boilers don’t need ventilation at all. If you have an old boiler that vents smoke and gases into your home, it’s probably worth replacing. Before investing in something as expensive as a new boiler, though, consider having your current ventilation system inspected for leaks and efficiency issues—it may still be good for some more years. Either way, ventilation is important for safety reasons so if you have the budget it’s better to be safe than sorry and switch to a new condensing boiler.
