What to do if the gas boiler is blown by the wind: causes, solutions, tips and recommendations of experts

The wind can occasionally result in unforeseen problems for your gas boiler. This can be annoying, particularly if your boiler is your main source of warmth and comfort in your house. Determining the root causes and implementing appropriate remedies can significantly impact the situation.

The wind may have an impact on a gas boiler for a number of reasons. The location of the boiler, the flue’s design, or even the wind’s strength and direction could be to blame. Regardless of the reason, it’s critical to take quick action to fix the issue so your boiler can continue to function safely and effectively.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to fix this problem and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Our experts have some helpful advice to help you keep your gas boiler operating smoothly, even on windy days, from modifying the boiler’s settings to installing wind deflectors or protective barriers.

Causes of the boiler blowing in the wind

While the coaxial ducting used in apartment buildings keeps the wind out of the heating system, blowing out during strong gusts is a common issue in private homes.

All responsible for the chimney’s design elements and contributing factors:

• There are trees next to the duct – at strong gusts of wind create vortex gusts that change the draught in the chimney, which leads to fluctuations of the burner wick and, consequently, the flame disappears.
• Prevailing downward wind currents, as well as incorrect level and height of the chimney – This is especially true for lonely private houses (dachas, cottages), with no other buildings nearby.
• Insufficient height of the chimney, in which gusty winds easily extinguish the burner flame.

• Faulty draught sensor, which gives false readings, triggering the automatics, blocking the gas supply to the combustion chamber.
• Chimney leaks, In particular, an open inspection hole, which forms a reverse draught and triggering of draught control sensors that signal the need for emergency shutdown of gas supply to the system.
• Improper chimney construction, When there are not the right number of turns and the wind from outside enters the boiler unimpeded.

Back draft may also be the source of boiler damping in high wind. A strong draft will be produced if the boiler is placed close to the balcony door during a windy period when the door is open, causing the wick to fade and oscillate.

How to identify the problem?

Although there are many reasons why a boiler may go out, you can identify that the wind is to blame by looking for these symptoms:

• The boiler stops working only in strong winds, and on other days it works properly.

• Fluctuation of the burner flame towards the outlet, change of its height in the presence of strong wind on the street. Normally, external factors on the operation of the boiler and burner in particular do not affect a priori.
• A pronounced whistling sound in the combustion chamber, which changes its intensity and expression at different gusts of wind and completely disappears in calm windless weather.

Additionally, I advise keeping an eye on system parameters like gas pressure. The boiler is more vulnerable to wind gusts when it is on the minimum setting as opposed to the medium setting. In many cases, increasing the heating system’s power solves the issue fundamentally. If that is still ineffective, you should consider all of your options.

When your gas boiler gets blown out by the wind, it can be frustrating and concerning. This issue usually happens due to strong winds disrupting the boiler"s flame, causing it to extinguish. To address this, start by checking the boiler"s location for any drafts or strong wind currents. Consider installing a windbreak or shield around the boiler to protect it from direct wind exposure. Regular maintenance and cleaning can also help ensure the boiler operates efficiently. If the problem persists, it might be wise to consult with a heating professional for further assessment and solutions tailored to your specific situation. Remember, safety should always come first, so if you"re unsure about anything, don"t hesitate to seek expert advice.

How to solve the problem?

It is strictly forbidden to operate gas equipment and ventilation systems without proper experience and skills. Should the frequent outages of the boiler be attributed to powerful wind gusts, it is imperative to seek the services of experts who can identify the cause (which could be multiple) and safely resolve it without compromising the safety or well-being of the occupants of the home.

Boilers with coaxial chimney

The main cause of a gas boiler that has a side chimney (more common in apartments) and leaks when there are strong wind gusts is condensation and icing. In actuality, the scenario is as follows: the exhaust gas at the pipe’s exit cools down extremely quickly and condenses into ice crust, which quickly thickens the interior walls.

Apart from a few icicles hanging from the outside chimney, it does not appear from the outside in any way. However, the natural exhaust of waste products is broken, which has an adverse effect on the boiler’s ability to operate. Swirls are produced, which cause the gas chamber to become oxygen-starved and either disrupt or stop the gas combustion process entirely.

The issue is frequently present in areas where wintertime lows exceed -30°C. To reduce condensate icing, experts advise adding insulators to the pipes that are accessible from the exterior. When there are significant ice accumulations, it is best to contact the gas service to handle the issue because mechanical thawing with the aid of specialized equipment is necessary.

The boiler with a side chimney should be installed independently if its design features do not presuppose the presence of a deflector. When there are more than 200 windy days in a year, this is required. a mechanism to stop airflows that are swirling. mounted on the pipe for the air intake.

Increasing the length of the chimney

When there are tall trees or other structures close to the house that could affect the draught in the pipe, raising the chimney’s height is appropriate. The process entails adding multiple pipes to the current chimney pipe that have a cross-section that is 0.5 larger than the chimney. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the boiler’s power and the roof’s design are the only factors that affect the chimney’s height.

The chimney is typically 5–6 meters high from the boiler grate. The roof surface can be taken into consideration to raise this value.

Work on increasing height should only be done by experts because doing so runs the risk of having the opposite effect:

1. A high chimney provokes a stronger draught, respectively, most of the heat will literally "fly down the chimney".
2. The amount of condensate increases, which will freeze on the inner wall of the chimney at sub-zero temperatures. It is fraught with violation of natural air exchange and triggering of automatic gas supply shutdown.

To manually adjust the draught and increase it in particularly windy weather, I suggest installing draught stabilizers or dampers.

It can be quite annoying when the wind blows out your gas boiler, particularly in the winter when you need your heating system the most. Finding a solution to this problem requires first understanding its root causes. Strong winds frequently have an impact on the boiler’s pilot light, extinguishing it and interfering with the heating process.

Installing a vent cap on your boiler that is wind-resistant is one typical way to solve this issue. This cover keeps the pilot light from being blown out by wind gusts, so your boiler will keep working effectively even when it’s windy outside. It’s also essential to perform routine maintenance to make sure the boiler is functioning properly and that there are no problems with the pilot light or other parts.

Experts advise monitoring weather forecasts and preparing ahead of time for windy days by implementing safety precautions. This can entail tightening any loose objects surrounding the boiler area and making sure the vent cap is clear of debris and clean. It’s also a good idea to have a professional check your heating system on a regular basis to spot possible problems early on and fix them.

In conclusion, a combination of preventive measures and routine maintenance is needed to deal with a gas boiler that has been blown out by the wind. You may make sure that your heating system stays dependable and effective and keeps your house warm and cozy regardless of the outside weather by learning the reasons behind this problem and heeding the advice and suggestions given by professionals.

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