buderus conventional gas boiler: condensation

[kodo]

hi folks-

i am a home owner with a 2 year old buderus gc124 conventional gas boiler.

it seems that recently i am collecting a huge amount of condensation. the condensation T is overflowing, and dripping into a 5 gallon garbage pail underneath. in the course of a few weeks i am collecting 2 or 3 gallons.

the boiler is running at 120 degrees which seems pretty low to me. my contractor says there is nothing to be done.

my chimney guy thinks it is from "driving rain" but i don't believe that. seems like way too much water, plus, why would it only start happening recently, when the flue and cap have been in place for 5 years?

the buderus guy told me to open the baffles, but my contractor says this unit does not have baffles. i suppose i should contact buderus again.

buderus said that running at 120 is ok, and won't hurt this unit.

i am concerned that something is wrong.

any ideas

thanks,
kodo

[danielworkerbee]

Can you post some photo's , I think somethings wrong. luck dan

[Anderson Air]

Every Buderus gas boiler I have touched has had baffles near the flue opening. They are used for exactly that, preventing condensation in the chimnet/flue. I think they even have an exploded view in the manual which shows them.

Edit, Every gas non-condensing model I have worked on.

[kodo]

Every Buderus gas boiler I have touched has had baffles near the flue opening. They are used for exactly that, preventing condensation in the chimnet/flue. I think they even have an exploded view in the manual which shows them.

Edit, Every gas non-condensing model I have worked on.

Hi everybody, thanks for the responses.

Anderson Air, here is a link to the installation guide for my buderus. http://www.buderus.us/files/201001240058430.7747000512_GC124InstallationAndSer vice0706.pdf

I don't see baffles mentioned in it. Am I missing it?

thanks
kodo

[Freezeking2000]

The contractor that installed the boiler should be able to call the supplier of the boiler to get recomendations. The chimney is too cold.

You are using this for radient heating? Why 120 degrees?

I know what to do, but no DIY here!

[kodo]

i am not sure i will be able to persuade my contractor to contact buderus.

If you tell me what he should do, i can suggest it to him.

thanks,
kodo

[Freezeking2000]

Just ask your contractor to correct the issue.

Buderus did not sell the boiler to him. He needs to get the supplier involved is he does not know what to do!

[kodo]

I just got off the phone w/ Buderus support.

Here is what he said
1) confirm that the unit's thermometer is accurate by checking the boiler temperature

2) check the exhaust temperature. If it is too low, check the "firing rate" (ie, how much gas is coming into the burners).

3) if all is ok, then insulate the chimney by filling the gap between the (stainless steel) flue and the brick with vermiculite

does this sound right? should i convey this to my contractor?

thanks much,
kodo

[REP]

I just got off the phone w/ Buderus support.

Here is what he said
1) confirm that the unit's thermometer is accurate by checking the boiler temperature

2) check the exhaust temperature. If it is too low, check the "firing rate" (ie, how much gas is coming into the burners).

3) if all is ok, then insulate the chimney by filling the gap between the (stainless steel) flue and the brick with vermiculite

does this sound right? should i convey this to my contractor?

thanks much,
kodo
sounds exactly right.
You also have to do a draft check to make sure a bird or squirl didn't end up somewhere in the liner.When doing the draft check make sure ALL bathroom fans ,kichen exhaust fan,fireplaces using house air for combustion and any other exhaust fan are all running to see if a negative pressure isn't pulling exhaust back down or severely slowing the fumes going bup the chimney.
You shouldn't sign off on the job until there is zero condensate ever.

[kodo]

REP-

super helpful. thanks.

kodo

[kodo]

Experts-

I forgot to ask one question.

When I get my contractor to measure the stack temperature, what is the acceptable range?

thanks,
kodo