This summer, I bought a condominium. I was informed about the age of the gas boiler and had already factored in the modernization costs for a condensing boiler. Now, the old heating system has broken down, and, as absurd as it sounds, I am not allowed to install a new one.
The problem:
The apartment is part of a terrace house, so chimneys are generally not possible.
The old gas boiler was installed on an outside wall without a chimney.
According to the local chimney inspector, modern condensing boilers are not permitted to operate this way, and he would not approve one installed like that.
Old gas boilers that had this exception for outside-wall installation are no longer produced, according to both my heating technician and a second specialist company.
Chimneys on the outside wall are not approved because, due to the terrace construction of the houses (my apartment is the lowest of four units), they would need to be incredibly tall, according to the city building authority.
Next week, there will be an on-site meeting with the chimney inspector and the city building supervision to look at the problem.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t make me warm either...
Can anyone offer advice?
I’m sitting here frustrated with two cold children, using an electric fan heater in one room, and unable to enjoy the beautiful large apartment because it’s cold.
Thanks in advance for all helpful comments!
The problem:
The apartment is part of a terrace house, so chimneys are generally not possible.
The old gas boiler was installed on an outside wall without a chimney.
According to the local chimney inspector, modern condensing boilers are not permitted to operate this way, and he would not approve one installed like that.
Old gas boilers that had this exception for outside-wall installation are no longer produced, according to both my heating technician and a second specialist company.
Chimneys on the outside wall are not approved because, due to the terrace construction of the houses (my apartment is the lowest of four units), they would need to be incredibly tall, according to the city building authority.
Next week, there will be an on-site meeting with the chimney inspector and the city building supervision to look at the problem.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t make me warm either...
Can anyone offer advice?
I’m sitting here frustrated with two cold children, using an electric fan heater in one room, and unable to enjoy the beautiful large apartment because it’s cold.
Thanks in advance for all helpful comments!
B
Bauexperte23 Oct 2016 14:10Ornberg1 schrieb:
@Bauexperte
My profession may not be very popular, but I make those I deal with feel warm-hearted, not cold in their homes. The chimney sweep would certainly like to keep you warm as well; however, he must comply with regulations.
How do the other 3 parties heat their homes? Is a replacement of the heat generator expected for them soon, given the supply temperature?
Regards, Bauexperte
Each unit in the residential complex is heated by its own gas boiler. The complex consists of 6 terraced houses, each with 4 to 6 apartments. Since the houses were built in the 1970s, most of the heating systems were replaced before the year 2000. This means that sooner or later all of them will need to be replaced again.
According to the chimney sweep, I am the first person to encounter this issue, and he said that while I have started the process because a decision needs to be made, it will, of course, take some time.
He assured me that he would still inspect an identical boiler in my apartment if I could find one and locate a professional company to install it. That is currently my hope.
If the roundtable discussion between the building authority, chimney sweep, and management finds another solution, I might be able to switch to more modern technology in a few years. But at least this winter, the heating will keep me warm!
According to the chimney sweep, I am the first person to encounter this issue, and he said that while I have started the process because a decision needs to be made, it will, of course, take some time.
He assured me that he would still inspect an identical boiler in my apartment if I could find one and locate a professional company to install it. That is currently my hope.
If the roundtable discussion between the building authority, chimney sweep, and management finds another solution, I might be able to switch to more modern technology in a few years. But at least this winter, the heating will keep me warm!
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