Attic boiler: installation possibilities and features

Installing a heating boiler in the attic is a non-trivial solution. But what if the cottage is small, there is no basement, as well as a basement floor. Our advice site decided to find out when the decision to install a boiler in the attic is justified and what features such a house heating system has.

1. Is it generally possible to install heating boilers in the attic and the second floor of the house? According to experts, this is not the best option, but in extreme cases, if there is no other way out, you can go for it, observing certain conditions;
2. Which boiler can be installed above the first floor of the house? With a closed combustion chamber! It is much safer than the traditional one, although it costs half the price. Condensing boilers are suitable in which the combustion chamber is always closed. In this case, there will be no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the room will not cool down during the operation of the boiler;

3. It’s clear about a closed combustion chamber, but still, which boiler is ideal for installation in the attic? Wall gas, up to 30 kW. Such boilers are compact, do not take up little space, they do not need a separate room. The specified capacity will be quite enough to provide heat in a cottage designed for one family, that is, relatively small. The main thing is that the wall can support the weight of the boiler. However, we solve this issue even in frame buildings. The portal devoted a separate article to the selection of gas condensing boilers;

4. And if the boiler runs on solid or liquid fuel, not gas, can it be installed in the attic? In theory, yes. However, think about how you will service the solid fuel boiler on the top floor? You will have to constantly carry briquettes, coal and firewood up the stairs. Yes, and solid fuel boilers weigh a lot, it will be necessary to strengthen the floors. Liquid fuel boilers make noise and give off an unpleasant odor, so they are categorically not suitable for installation on the upper floors;

5. What should be the chimney if the boiler is installed in the attic or second floor? There may be problems here. In general, the height of the chimney for a gas heating boiler should be at least four meters. Imagine if such a pipe will rise above your roof. This can ruin the look of your home. You can get rid of the need to build such a high chimney if you choose a boiler with a closed combustion chamber, which has a coaxial pipe. For boilers up to 30 kW, which we recommend for installation in attics and second floors, you can lead the chimney directly through the outer wall. In this case, the pipe outlet should be located at a height of 2.5 meters from the ground, but in the case of an attic, this is not a problem. The nearest window from the chimney that goes through the wall must be at least half a meter;

6. What should be the heating system if the boiler is installed above the first floor? Closed! This is a prerequisite. With an open heating system, when the circulation of liquid in the system occurs naturally, all heating devices are located above the boiler itself. In the case of installation in the attic or second floor, this condition for the normal operation of the heating system cannot be met. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to install a circulation pump, which will become part of a closed home heating system;

7. Will there be enough natural ventilation for the boiler in the attic? In general, yes. But for greater reliability and safety, experts advise making an unclosed hole 30 centimeters from the floor. An exhaust vent is made under the ceiling. The total area of ​​such ventilation should be at least 200 square centimeters..

We state: a wall-mounted gas boiler with a closed combustion chamber and a circulation pump in addition can be safely installed and used in the attic or second floor of a private house.