FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Chimney for a Gas Water Heater?

joer3155 | Posted in General Discussion on July 17, 2020 10:07pm

My son bought a house recently which has a failing brick chimney which needs to be removed.  The chimney is on the exterior of the house. The question is whether it should be replaced….

He’s gotten a quote of $6000 to replace the brick chimney.  I’m wondering if there might be a less expensive option for him.

The gas boiler and the gas fired water heater both vent through the chimney.  They are installed in the basement. I checked out the boiler when he was buying the house.  The boiler is about 17 years old, but it can be horizontally vented.

But I didn’t think about the water heater. It’s at atmospheric vent, and is only about 1.5 years old. Couldn’t a stainless steel chimney pipe be installed instead of the brick chimney?  The chimney is on the least-visible side of the house, so the appearance isn’t a big concern.  I would hope this would be less costly.

thanks for the advice!

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    unclemike42 | Jul 18, 2020 10:03am | #1

    Of course.

    the next question is what he will replace the chimney with. what does the rest of the house look like? is it easy to match the sides where the chimney attaches? how tall is it? would he have to patch missing parts of the roof where the chimney is now?

    Is your son up for a DIY?

    You can also get prices for these alternates. If price is the concern, be sure to include all the costs, including removal and disposal of the existing chimney, purchase and installation of whatever exhaust venting system you decide on, and finish of the empty space where the chimney is now (or at least weatherproofing of the empty space)

    if the existing brickwork is a danger to the house or others, it has to come down.

    you might find that a new direct vent water heater costs less than an installed chimney.

    Who is going to install a direct vent for the 17 year old boiler? don't let the fact that there is a fairly new water heater drive the show. might find benefits from a new direct vent boiler with a domestic hot water indirect heater. perhaps with an air conditioner heat recovery feature.

    include operating costs for at least as long as your son expects to live in the house.

    1. joer3155 | Jul 18, 2020 10:58am | #2

      Thanks - Yes, I appreciate the other factors like matching the siding, etc, and looking at the total cost of all options.

      I was mainly asking about whether a stainless chimney *is* a viable option. I searched on-line for the installation manuals and other info, and it seemed like it should be, but I wasn't completely sure. Seems like it is.

      He's talked to a couple plumbing / heating companies, and they both seem to want to install all new systems. Maybe this is the right move, but just want to weigh the options.

      1. User avater
        unclemike42 | Jul 18, 2020 01:48pm | #4

        There are all kinds of houses and condos which have stainless chimneys installed, and no masonry. One thing that does get considered is the need to insulate the chimney so that all the moisture does not condense inside the chimney before it exits.

        In your son's case, the cost of the stainless chimney is best compared with increased costs of operation of a less-efficient heater that needs this.

        When you look at operating cost of a 17 year old boiler, you might be surprised.

        even with the current low price of natural gas, fuel is a large expense.

  2. Frankie | Jul 18, 2020 12:28pm | #3

    Why Stainless steel flue? The new gas boilers use pvc exhaust and fresh air intakes. Cheaper and easier availability and install.

    Research boilers which provide heat and hot water. Existing hot water heater may be able to be used as a storage tank, but I'm not sure. Review the install manual. Everything should be spelled out for you by manufacturer.

    Just be sure you have a proper condensate filter and maintain it yearly. The condensate is very corrosive.

    Frankie

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fast, Accurate Wall Framing

A rear addition provides a small-scale example of how to frame efficiently.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in