Air Cooled Chimney in Cold Climate?

[velvetfoot]

The large fireplaces I just looked at, the Quad 7100 and FPX 36 and 44, require air cooled chimneys, I believe their own systems. How does that work in a cold climate? With that and the outside air, I can see a lot of coolness coming in when the unit isn't working. On the plus side, my Heatilator has the same system as the Quad, and Northstar.

 

[SpeakEasy]

Well, it isn't an issue if you keep it burning

-Speak

 

[Village Idiot]

The doors on the Quad 7100 are nice and tight and do not let cold air in. With the door open, I could feel a bit of cool air. I have only done one burn so far, but the draft quickly kicked in once I got all the levers and knobs in the correct positions.

I couldn't understand why the fire was not going and the box was full of smoke. Then I flipped the OAK lever and the smoke went right up the chimney. (Note to self, open the OAK before lighting the fire.)

 

[velvetfoot]

But, there are separate air inlets for the air-cooled chimney?

 

[Trail_Time]

There is no air intrusion if you do a correct install, at least not in my case. A "P" trap is required on the cooling inlets. I put all my vents below the actual unit as cold air will not rise. The heat output of the FPX44 is amazing.

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks. If there's a possiblity to go with the existing Quad. sl300 air-cooled pipe, it might reduce some cost.

 

[Village Idiot]

The Quad 7100 requires a separate vent for the air cooled part of the chimney. I have a 4" dryer vent next to the 6" OAK vent on the side of my chase. When I was doing my first burn, I went and put my had on the vent and it was sucking a lot of air. Which I guess is what it is supposed to do to keep the chimney temperature at an appropriate level.

I suggest that once you have selected a lineup of likely suspects that you want to consider, download the install manuals for each unit. Then you can really see what it required for the installs. I did "virtual installs" in my head as I read the manuals to see what issues I needed to be aware of.

Once I selected the 7100 and had gotten to know the install needs, I knew the unit requirement better than the vendor/installer. During framing, I caught a couple of mistakes that would have been showstoppers if they had been missed.

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks.

 

[Trail_Time]

The Quad 7100 requires a separate vent for the air cooled part of the chimney. I have a 4" dryer vent next to the 6" OAK vent on the side of my chase. When I was doing my first burn, I went and put my had on the vent and it was sucking a lot of air. Which I guess is what it is supposed to do to keep the chimney temperature at an appropriate level.

I suggest that once you have selected a lineup of likely suspects that you want to consider, download the install manuals for each unit. Then you can really see what it required for the installs. I did "virtual installs" in my head as I read the manuals to see what issues I needed to be aware of.

Once I selected the 7100 and had gotten to know the install needs, I knew the unit requirement better than the vendor/installer. During framing, I caught a couple of mistakes that would have been showstoppers if they had been missed.

Great advice. I did the same and it helped make the right decision for my situation.

 

[Got Wood]

There is no air intrusion if you do a correct install, at least not in my case. A "P" trap is required on the cooling inlets. I put all my vents below the actual unit as cold air will not rise. The heat output of the FPX44 is amazing.

Yup I agree!

 

[velvetfoot]

I was just at the stove shop.
Man, that FPX Elite 44 is HUGE!

 

[jonwright]

I did what village did with reading the books and doing a lot of thinking as to which unit to purchase. As with him I knew the stove better than the local retailers. When a local salesman standing in front of the 44 said "we don't sell any catalytic units" I knew I was in the wrong store. Nonetheless I was all up in the framers, masons, and did some of the install myself to ensure that it was right.

I basically went with the unit as my brother in law has been working at a fireplace joint for nearly 20 years doing installs - albeit a 4 hr drive away. He knows what he's doing. Bought it from him. The Quadrafire dealer also didn't have installers (they gave me a list of folks to call - which didn't do much for me) and no other dealers around here really sell the Napoleon units.

The install manuals aren't really that complicated - just read it with a cup of coffee. You'll be more informed that 99% of the "knowledgable sales people" that are supposed to know them.