I'm a little perplexed on this issue. I have read numerous posts here and am pretty clear about the stated opinions of most Hearth members (because my chimney is unlined brick and in questionable condition ca.1889, I should insulate the liner). The draft issue is secondary here as the chimney is interior and ~28ft. from hearth to crown with a 8"x8" flue. I have a 6" Homesaver Pro 316ti liner ready to go.
So, here's the rub. I have had 2 certified chimney sweep/inspectors look at my chimney and both said I don't need to insulate.
Their arguments basically were that with modern wood burning appliances the liner will never get that hot, in fact, you should be able to put your hand on that ss flex liner and not get burned. Furthermore, the air space between your 6" liner and your 8" flue is already of significant R-value. They both went on to say that the liner manufacturers are basically trying to sell you something you don't need (essentially in cahoots with the code people (NFPA?) who seem to change the codes all the time and are making the requirements unrealistic for most any chimney in any home).
I realize that most professionals on this site will advocate safety first, and for good reason, as well as liability concerns. I guess what i'm asking is, in a real world scenario, not who's wrong or who's right, but what is reasonable?
If say, I cleaned my flue liner twice a year, what are the chances that a creosote fire could burn through a 316ti stainless liner, continue burning to a point where the brick chimney gets hot enough to transfer that heat to nearby combustibles and set the house on fire? Are most people's overloaded circuit boxes more/less of a hazard?
Thanks for your input on this.
So, here's the rub. I have had 2 certified chimney sweep/inspectors look at my chimney and both said I don't need to insulate.
Their arguments basically were that with modern wood burning appliances the liner will never get that hot, in fact, you should be able to put your hand on that ss flex liner and not get burned. Furthermore, the air space between your 6" liner and your 8" flue is already of significant R-value. They both went on to say that the liner manufacturers are basically trying to sell you something you don't need (essentially in cahoots with the code people (NFPA?) who seem to change the codes all the time and are making the requirements unrealistic for most any chimney in any home).
I realize that most professionals on this site will advocate safety first, and for good reason, as well as liability concerns. I guess what i'm asking is, in a real world scenario, not who's wrong or who's right, but what is reasonable?
If say, I cleaned my flue liner twice a year, what are the chances that a creosote fire could burn through a 316ti stainless liner, continue burning to a point where the brick chimney gets hot enough to transfer that heat to nearby combustibles and set the house on fire? Are most people's overloaded circuit boxes more/less of a hazard?
Thanks for your input on this.
cant wait to get my stove in.
