I have a Regency 2400 that was installed a couple weeks ago. About a week ago I noticed smoke coming from my fittings inside. It was a really windy day. Called my installer and he said I was getting back drafting and suggested a high wind cap which he installed. All seemed OK. Last night we had really really bad wind over night. I woke up around 4 AM to a completely smoke filled room! I didn't have a big fire going because it wasn't that cold but smoke was exiting the hole in the bottom ( I think this cut out is for an ash drawer) and out the airmate. I needed to remove and shut it down. Now I am wondering if I can ever use this stove during high wind conditions? If not that is a bad thing because we have bad wind a lot. Any suggestions would really be appreciated.
Woke up to smoke last night!
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For some reason your losing your draft. I don't know how you lose it when you have a fire. Is your chimney tall enough?
SteveKG
Minister of Fire
We have had this problem for years, only in high, gusty winds. We have three stoves, three chimneys. The only solution for our situation has been taller chimneys.
It does sound like not enough flue. But the bad draft could be aggravated if you have a smoldering fire and a too-cool flue. If the fire is choked down all the way, with unseasoned wood, it could be burning low enough to help lose the little draft you have, with the wind doing the rest.
Well I am new to this for sure. I am thinking that I didn't have enough of a fire going to create a draft? Problem is if the fire dies down while you are asleep and it's windy I'll have the whole situation over again. Also, when you leave the house for an extended period. If I stack a lot of wood in there to have a longer burn I find that my temps go up to high. I have been up to 700 plus degrees with four splits in there. If I put two to three larger splits in before I hit the sack I am feeding it again around 2:30 - 3:00 in the morning. I do know the wood I have isn't the best as well. It's hardwood but not totally seasoned (about 27-28%) which isn't helping either.
shawneyboy
Minister of Fire
Talk to your installer again. How tall is the stack, and does it meet the 10-2-3 rule?
"The basic rule is this: the bottom of the vent termination must clear the roof penetration point (the upper edge) by at least 3 feet; further, the bottom of any fireplace vent termination must clear anything within a 10 foot radius by at least 2 feet. This includes: the peak of the house, parapet, dormer, chimney or spire."
"The basic rule is this: the bottom of the vent termination must clear the roof penetration point (the upper edge) by at least 3 feet; further, the bottom of any fireplace vent termination must clear anything within a 10 foot radius by at least 2 feet. This includes: the peak of the house, parapet, dormer, chimney or spire."
shawneyboy
Minister of Fire
That chimney is not taller than the roof peak. I am not sure but with wind blowing from and over the (in your picture) left side of the roof, the turbulance that it creates crossing the peak and over to the other side could be pushing air into and down your chimney. Someone correct me if I am wrong here. If that is the case perhaps a few more feet of chimney may address the situation.
Lumber-Jack
Minister of Fire
Yeah I already went to the trouble to make a diagram for him in this thread. but no reply.branchburner said:
Even if it fits the rule the chimney is lower than the roof and will likely be effected by down drafts off the roof in high winds. You need a taller chimney.
It looks like the top of the chimny is even with the peak of the roof. I think it's supposed to be 2 or 3 ft above the peak.
Carbon_Liberator said:
Yes you did answer that for me, Thank you. I did go out and get a thermometer. Doesn't take much to get this stove up to 700 degrees. I thought I'd try the wind cap first. No luck there I guess. I am in search of dryer wood. I did try a bundle of kiln dried wood. Burnt nice for sure but still could not close the damper/flue down to where I wanted it. Which brings me back to the chimney height. My next move will be to add a section of pipe on the chimney. Just didn't want to do that unless I absolutly had to. It will just look goofy to me. Oh well.
SteveKG
Minister of Fire
The rules must be altered or changed with some roof pitches, as I've found. Your roof is fairly steep, but I have a pipe on a roof that is far steeper, in an unusual case, the backside of a greenhouse. I have added several feet of pipe, twice, and still have trouble if the winds get to above 50 mph, which they do here at times. It will be a hassle to add pipe lengths to that one there, but you are going to have to do it. If you get gusty winds from the left, air will be deflected upward and create a localized wave as it crosses the peak. Below the wave will be an area of turbulence. [I am a mountain pilot, I deal with this regularly.] There is nothing you can do except get that chimney opening up higher. How much higher, you will have to try another section of pipe and wait for windy days and see. I have added to my greenhouse-roof-chimney twice and, unfortunately, I am faced with doing it again.
maverick06
Minister of Fire
Keep an eye on outside temps. I have had problems like this when outside temps are above 50F. If I want to use the fireplace when it is above 50F I have to light up a sheet of newspaper to heat the stack up prior to the actual fire.
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Fsappo
Minister of Fire
I used to call that wake and bake. The 10-2-3 rule is a building code. Common sense needs to take over in regards to wind. Your getting good suggestions. Just raise the chimney some. Make sure its braced properly.
Really appreciate all the responses. Will be looking into raising it up one section. It's windier here now then that night. Got a nice hot fire going with no issues as of yet. I also think me being new to burning and letting everything cool down to much before trying to throw in more wood had a big part in it. I never really knew that you had to really warm up the flue to get a draft going. Keep ya posted........
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