Pellet stove question or fireplace damper issue ?

thinkxingu · 01-04-2015, 07:57 PM

Not having a plate to seal off the chimney where the damper was is not uncommon--there are many different beliefs about this regarding lost heat vs. creosote build-up from a cold pipe causing condensation (non double-wall pipe).

If the chimney cap was sealed correctly, and the pipe is secured to your stove well, and you're getting a draft it's because you have negative pressure.

I'd probably call the installer to give him/her a chance to fix it before doing anything else--might be something simple they can remedy.

bigdog · 01-04-2015, 11:03 PM

Thanks Thinkxingu for the info...

I believe the chimney cap/plate to be sealed very tightly, although have not insepected myself. Will have that inspected in the summer when I get chimney cleaned.

I was also told by another that I might have a 'negative pressure' situation in the stove room, as 'lower level floors' are more prone to being in this state. The stove is on the fisrt floor of my 2,000 ft colonial built in 1999, and is well insulated.

On that note, how does one offset 'negative pressure' in the house?

Last, was also told that one reason for the draft may be air from the flue going through the stove and out the 'air intake', which is near the bottom of the stove ? This seems like a possibility.

Thoughts on all above ?

Thanks,
Bigdog

DickR · 01-05-2015, 03:11 PM

Your house may be well insulated, but still not very air tight. When the stove is not in operation, the chimney, through the stove, is just another low-level air leak, like a gap under a door, leaking heavy cold air in low and displacing warm interior air up higher, such as through air leaks into the attic. One symptom of a leaky (typical) house is that the interior air gets dry from overventilation in winter, to the point where you'd like to run a humidifier. Another would be the formation of ice dams and icicles at the roof edges, from warm interior air leaking into the attic. Air sealing will help this.

A good place to ask questions about your stove installation would be in pellet stove subforum here: http://www.hearth.com/talk/

For air sealing the attic floor in a leaky home, a good starting place is here: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...-sealing-attic

For more a general list of "how to" information, including air sealing in general, see http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...-do-everything

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01-04-2015, 07:57 PM	#1
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,229 Thanks: 1,171 Thanked 2,055 Times in 1,275 Posts	Not having a plate to seal off the chimney where the damper was is not uncommon--there are many different beliefs about this regarding lost heat vs. creosote build-up from a cold pipe causing condensation (non double-wall pipe). If the chimney cap was sealed correctly, and the pipe is secured to your stove well, and you're getting a draft it's because you have negative pressure. I'd probably call the installer to give him/her a chance to fix it before doing anything else--might be something simple they can remedy.

The Following User Says Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post:
bigdog (01-04-2015)

01-04-2015, 11:03 PM	#2
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Thanks Thinkxingu for the info... I believe the chimney cap/plate to be sealed very tightly, although have not insepected myself. Will have that inspected in the summer when I get chimney cleaned. I was also told by another that I might have a 'negative pressure' situation in the stove room, as 'lower level floors' are more prone to being in this state. The stove is on the fisrt floor of my 2,000 ft colonial built in 1999, and is well insulated. On that note, how does one offset 'negative pressure' in the house? Last, was also told that one reason for the draft may be air from the flue going through the stove and out the 'air intake', which is near the bottom of the stove ? This seems like a possibility. Thoughts on all above ? Thanks, Bigdog

01-05-2015, 03:11 PM	#3
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 750 Thanks: 4 Thanked 259 Times in 171 Posts	Your house may be well insulated, but still not very air tight. When the stove is not in operation, the chimney, through the stove, is just another low-level air leak, like a gap under a door, leaking heavy cold air in low and displacing warm interior air up higher, such as through air leaks into the attic. One symptom of a leaky (typical) house is that the interior air gets dry from overventilation in winter, to the point where you'd like to run a humidifier. Another would be the formation of ice dams and icicles at the roof edges, from warm interior air leaking into the attic. Air sealing will help this. A good place to ask questions about your stove installation would be in pellet stove subforum here: http://www.hearth.com/talk/ For air sealing the attic floor in a leaky home, a good starting place is here: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...-sealing-attic For more a general list of "how to" information, including air sealing in general, see http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...-do-everything

The Following User Says Thank You to DickR For This Useful Post:
bigdog (01-05-2015)