OAK condensation any help?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
woodknack

woodknack

Member
Hearth Supporter
Jul 21, 2010
65
central Maine - Farmingdale
Ok I just installed a newer pellet stove (P43). My old stove had a separate OAK, so I hooked my new one to that one too. The problem I am seeing it the pipe gets super cold and starts to condensate and drip. Any ideas from people that have this same problem? We really haven't even really hit very cold temps yet, so i'm sure it will get worse. I'm thinking I should wrap the pipe with something??
 
Just posted this in another thread...

The key is to prevent warm, moist air from contacting the cold surface, which causes surface condensation (same thing that happens when you have a glass of ice water get wet on a warm summer day). Wrapping the OAK tube with noncombustible insulation that has some vapor retarding properties does it. A thin (maybe 1 inch or even less) piece of fiberglass with foil-type backing should do it, with foil on the outside.
 
Wilbur Feral said:
Just posted this in another thread...

The key is to prevent warm, moist air from contacting the cold surface, which causes surface condensation (same thing that happens when you have a glass of ice water get wet on a warm summer day). Wrapping the OAK tube with noncombustible insulation that has some vapor retarding properties does it. A thin (maybe 1 inch or even less) piece of fiberglass with foil-type backing should do it, with foil on the outside.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Any ideas of what type or where to get the insulation?
 
One can check the plumbing dept for insulated pipe wrap. Its common at farm stores to wrap outside hydrants. Having gotten rid of the horse this fall I don't have a sample to take a picture of. Or one can go ghetto and wrap with some bubble wrap from a shipping package and wrap with electrical tape.
 
I took 2 pieces of foam pipe insulation (I dont know the size right now) and wrapped it around the pipe used electrical tape to keep it together
 
As noted by Bioburner, plumbing section sometimes has this. Advise not using flammable material such as bubble wrap, in case you ever get a backburn.
 
Turn the heat down :) . My OAK ducting will get cold, but never condensates. 65-68* around the 3' section of it near the floor. Stove is also only drawing minimal air, because the stove will almost heat the entire 1900sq ft house on the lowest setting. 1/1/fan on low.
 
Cory S said:
Turn the heat down :) . My OAK ducting will get cold, but never condensates. 65-68* around the 3' section of it near the floor. Stove is also only drawing minimal air, because the stove will almost heat the entire 1900sq ft house on the lowest setting. 1/1/fan on low.
Click to expand...
Wait till the actual cold weather hits ;)

I used 3", foil-backed insulation that I probably found at a BBS. It is a PITA to work with, but does work for keeping cold air from transferring into the room from the pipe. I'd guess it also helps with condensation but haven't unwrapped it to look.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
Nasty Condensation with New Pellet Boiler
Replies
14
Views
1K
The Boiler Room - Wood Boilers and Furnaces
Mr._Graybeard
Mr._Graybeard
B
water leaking through woodstove flue pipe joints. How do I seal it so water doesnt leak through anymore. Any Help is appreciated.
Replies
21
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
BillBurns
BillBurns
M
I've got one shot at this = OAK for pellet stove insert worth it?
Replies
15
Views
2K
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
Tonyray
Tonyray
J
OAK for pellet insert on interior chimney with three flues
Replies
2
Views
513
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
jeffreybcox
J
C
Pellet stove to chimney help
Replies
8
Views
2K
The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves
chrisnack
C
Top Bottom
Back