15 A P P L I A N C E V E N T S

& EXHAUSTS
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
Combustion appliances require venting and certain appliances require exhausting. Rehab work on vents and
exhausts may be needed because of failure of equipment, venting, or structure. Venting failures may be deadly
or cause health problems, and are difficult to ascertain. Carbon monoxide deaths are often in the news and
detectors are becoming more common. Venting failure indicators might include corrosion, smoke (with oil
equipment), soot, backdrafting, appliance operation failure, excess moisture, or visual damage.
Combustion appliances can be fueled by natural gas, propane (liquified petroleum gas), or oil.
Traditionally, appliances were designed with a draft hood or diverter to vent combustion gases. Vents were
sized based on tables indicating maximum capacities for certain vent area, height, lateral (horizontal run),
and material. Traditional venting materials are masonry (lined and unlined), cement asbestos pipe, and
single- and multi-walled metal pipe.
The 1987 U.S. National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) increased minimum
efficiency requirements for residential gas and oil-fired appliances, because vents will not perform prop-
erly if they are too large or too small. The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) became at least 78%
for gas appliances and 80% for oil. New appliances meeting these and higher AFUE ratings produce fewer
and cooler combustion products. Condensation and corrosion can be a problem because moisture can
deteriorate chimneys through freeze/thaw action and corrode metal vents. New high-efficiency, self-con-
densing appliances produce such cool, moist exhaust that they use venting materials similar to drain sys-
tem materials and need to be sloped to drain the moisture.
In response to higher efficiency appliances, the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) in 1992
changed venting design requirements with concern for minimum and maximum flue capacities. Certain
fan-assisted combustion system appliances were included to overcome venting problems. Oil appliance
venting design standards have never been published but are expected in NFPA Standard 31.
Some non-combustion appliances require exhausts. Codes require clothes dryer exhausts, and
gas ranges should be exhausted (but are not required to be). Dryer failure indicators may be excess mois-
ture, clothes not drying, high energy bills, smoke, or odors. Lint and grease buildup can create fire haz-
ards, while blocked systems or combustion by-products can create health hazards.
The physical condition of the existing venting and exhaust system should be checked, especially
to insure the passageway is properly lined, clear, and free of obstructions. If the vent/chimney was previ-
ously used for solid or liquid fuel, it should be cleaned. The failure indicators mentioned above need to
be reviewed and system operation verified. Ages of combustion appliances should be matched to the vent
system to determine if a new efficient appliance has been installed without an appropriate flue
modification. As mentioned above, improper venting and flue damage may result. Existing oil appliances
might have had their older burners replaced with the more efficient retention-head oil burner. This could
require a flue modification because new levels of water and acid concentration could be present. Typically
corrosion-resistant materials and/or heat loss reduction are introduced to ensure proper draft and reduce
condensation. Some codes require the existing chimney or vent be brought into code conformance if a
new appliance is connected.
A properly designed vent controls draft and removes flue gases. Selection of a replacement vent
or checking compliance should consider factors such as appliance draft, configuration, size, heat, and
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