Posted by  Paul Malo on January 02, 2002 at 07:17:21:

In Reply to:  Re: Dual Fireplace Idea - outside air supply posted by JWmHarmon on January 02, 2002 at 06:54:13:

We live with an oil-burning boiler for our hot-water system, and frequently the boiler has sooted up, extinquishing the flame while black soot is discharged and distributed over a wide area. What a mess. It's bad enough when the boiler is confined to a utility room. I wouldn't want it to be the center of my living space.

The advice about fresh air intake is critical, since one of the reasons (I'm theorizing) that the sooting problem develops is incomplete combustion of the oil. I noticed the air relationship when observing that an awning window that I had recently shut, due to frigid temperatures outside, but not latched, had mysteriously opened by itself. The cause apparently was negative pressure, resulting from demand for more fresh air. I'm leaving it open now, even in the coldest weather, as that's when we need the most air for the heavily working boiler.

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