From: Sue B

We have oil-fired hot water heat with an auxiliary solar hot water heater in the house I am renovating. Two different chimney sweeps say our terra cotta furnace flue needs to be replaced with stainless. Is it safe to turn on the heat until that is done? Is it even safe to live in the house until that gets done? I will be installing a CO detector on each floor before we move in. What do you think?

Sue,

1. I would get a third opinion from a home inspector who can and will inspect chimney flues (some inspectors don't), and one who does not sell flue liners.

2. I would consider replacing the old boiler (assuming it is an older unit) with a new energy efficient boiler that does not require using the old flue, but rather utilizes direct PVC side wall venting. These boilers are not too expensive and save money (They say 40-50%) by using oil more efficiently, so efficiently that the exhaust gas is cool enough to utilize direct PVC side wall venting.

Here is one of many web sites for oil boilers: http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/HeatingProducts/boilers/biasi/biasiboilermain.asp



3. You could subtract the cost of a stainless steel liner from the cost of a new boiler, making this option even more attractive.

4. I would not turn the heat on or live in the house with the heat on until the problem is resolved.

5. I would install CO detectors in ALL LIVING areas, ESPECIALLY bedrooms, even after the problem is resolved.

Good luck,
Carl