"The government formed a boiler flue regulation to protect the health and safety of homeowners."

A boiler flue is a pipe that connects to your boiler system and helps heat, smoke, steam and toxic gases (carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) generated within the system get out of the house.

No central heating system can work without a flue. Gas circulating through your central heating system either sends water to a tap or comes out of the system. Meanwhile, some excess heat is generated within the system as well. This excess heat should be safely removed, and that’s when a boiler flue comes to the fore. Here we explain in detail what is a boiler exhaust and how long it should be.

What Types of a Boiler Flue Are There?

1.    Horizontal Flue

A horizontal flue position is installed on the external wall and is the most common type of flue in the UK.

2.    Vertical Flue

A vertical boiler flue drives gases and heat outside your home through the roof or loft. Installing this type of flue requires more effort, which is why horizontal flues are more popular.

Do You Need a Boiler Flue?

Yes, you do. The appliance exhaust is a matter of safety and you should have one installed no matter if you have a combi, condensing, or system boiler. However, you need a different size of flue for different boiler types. If you don’t have a flue or don’t use it properly, toxic substances produced by your boiler may cause fatal injuries.

Boiler Flue Regulations

The government formed a boiler flue regulation to protect the health and safety of homeowners. This regulation states it should be placed 30 to 60cm from a door or window. The ideal height to position a is around 2.1 metres above the ground.

How Long a Boiler Flue Should Be?

A flue should be 10 to 20 metres long, depending on the type of your boiler, the shape of the flue, and the location where you want to place it.

Boiler Flue Shapes

A square flue is an old-fashioned flue type, trickier and pricier to install than a round-shaped flue. A round flue works with 22mm pipes and is more affordable and more convenient to install. However, if you have a narrower or wider pipe, you should opt for the square.

Summary

An appliance exhaust is a must if you want to prevent accidents in your home. Also, you should pay attention to the type, shape, and length of your flue. That’s why consulting an installer or a Gas Safe engineer would help you make the best decision. Your Heat’s experienced and friendly engineers will answer your questions anytime. If are thinking about having your old boiler replaced, click here to get an instant quote, then we can talk about the flue as well!