What is a Boiler Flue?

Boilers burn gas to heat water. This water either circulates around a cylinder or is sent directly to the hot taps. Excess heat and unwanted by-products need to be vented away by a flue but what is a boiler flue?

What is a Boiler Flue?

The boiler flue is the boiler’s chimney, but instead channelling away smoke and soot, it emits carbon dioxide and water vapour.

There are small traces of other substances, especially from boilers that are not working efficiently. The most serious is carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless but deadly. Another is nitrous oxide, which can cause respiratory problems.

Your boiler’s flue sends these gases safely into the atmosphere, away from your house a safe distance from the ground.

How does a flue work?

The flue is a piece of pipework that moves gases and hot air from inside the boiler to outside.

With condensing boilers, the flue is part of the heating system, as the heat from the burned gases warms the returning water. In most modern boilers, the flue passes through the wall horizontally.

Flue regulations

Because the gases from a flue are toxic and hot, there are regulations surrounding where they are placed. These are to prevent noxious gases from coming into your home or your neighbours’ homes.

Most homeowners do not need to know the specific safety measures, as your Gas Safe will apply them when installing your new boiler.

Checking your flue

It is good practice to check your flue occasionally, especially after windy weather, and especially in autumn. Leaves can get stuck inside, and need to be removed.

The effectiveness of the flue is one of the areas checked in your annual service. The engineer will check your flue is not blocked or restricted. If you have not had your boiler serviced in the past twelve months, call a local gas safe registered fitters such as L&W Heating and Plumbing.

L&W Heating and Plumbing – Here For You

During the COVID 19 Coronavirus pandemic, we’re following all recommended guidelines from the British Government, NHS and Public Health England whilst maintaining safe working practices at all times. For more information call our engineers on a regional number:-

Plumbers Wigan 01942 417220
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