Hello everyone. Have some new information about my planned install of a Hearthstone Mansfield. Had a chimney sweep come out yesterday to inspect my chimney and give his thoughts on the install. Here is the original post:
I am switching from a pellet stove to wood burning stove for next burn season (winter 2010/2011). Home is ~ 3000 sqft. Open concept 2000 sqft lower level and the rest of space upstairs (3 rooms). Large central chimney containing two flues - one for oil and one for fire place. Pellet stove is tapped into fireplace chimney flue on opposite side of fireplace. The tap occurs at the smoke shelf of the chimney, approximately 12-18” below the first tile. Fireplace flue is lined with 12” square tiles. My plan is to install a Hearthstone Mansfield woodstove, using the existing tap of the pellet stove. I have a few concern since the 12” flue tiles are larger than the ‘guideline’ of 3X the cross-section area of the 6” stove pipe. First - do you think I will have adequate draft? Again, I have about 20’ of interior chimney, ~ 8’ in the attic, and ~ 4’ exiting the roof near the peak. So, I assumed that I would have good draft, even with large tiles, since the temperature difference between chimney air and outside air is likley quite high. Second - since the flue gases will cool within the larger flue space at a greater rate than within a 6 or 8” flue, should I expect high amounts of creosote near the top of the chimney? I am two years ahead on wood now, and will stay 2 years ahead, so I’ll be burning very well seasoned wood. Lastly - is there a problem having a woodstove tapped into the chimney below the first tile?
So.....although most replies from this first post suggested installing a liner through the ceiling, 2nd floor, and roof (i.e. not using the large chimney), the sweep thought the chimney would work just fine. He tested the draft and it was strong, plus he indicated that since only ~ 3 feet of chimney was above roof line, gases would stay nice and warm for the majority of the tile flue, and therefore, I should not see excessive creosote forming. He's been a sweep for ~ 20 years, and he indicated that a number of folks he services have the same set up (woodstove exhausting into 12' flue) and that they are doing fine. So, I'm leaning toward giving the easier install (directly into the chimney) a shot, and see if I can avoid the added expense of the liner and interior/exterior work. Figured I could give it a shot next year, during late fall, and if the draft proves to be too sluggish, be prepared to do a quick liner install. What do you all think? Cheers!
I am switching from a pellet stove to wood burning stove for next burn season (winter 2010/2011). Home is ~ 3000 sqft. Open concept 2000 sqft lower level and the rest of space upstairs (3 rooms). Large central chimney containing two flues - one for oil and one for fire place. Pellet stove is tapped into fireplace chimney flue on opposite side of fireplace. The tap occurs at the smoke shelf of the chimney, approximately 12-18” below the first tile. Fireplace flue is lined with 12” square tiles. My plan is to install a Hearthstone Mansfield woodstove, using the existing tap of the pellet stove. I have a few concern since the 12” flue tiles are larger than the ‘guideline’ of 3X the cross-section area of the 6” stove pipe. First - do you think I will have adequate draft? Again, I have about 20’ of interior chimney, ~ 8’ in the attic, and ~ 4’ exiting the roof near the peak. So, I assumed that I would have good draft, even with large tiles, since the temperature difference between chimney air and outside air is likley quite high. Second - since the flue gases will cool within the larger flue space at a greater rate than within a 6 or 8” flue, should I expect high amounts of creosote near the top of the chimney? I am two years ahead on wood now, and will stay 2 years ahead, so I’ll be burning very well seasoned wood. Lastly - is there a problem having a woodstove tapped into the chimney below the first tile?
So.....although most replies from this first post suggested installing a liner through the ceiling, 2nd floor, and roof (i.e. not using the large chimney), the sweep thought the chimney would work just fine. He tested the draft and it was strong, plus he indicated that since only ~ 3 feet of chimney was above roof line, gases would stay nice and warm for the majority of the tile flue, and therefore, I should not see excessive creosote forming. He's been a sweep for ~ 20 years, and he indicated that a number of folks he services have the same set up (woodstove exhausting into 12' flue) and that they are doing fine. So, I'm leaning toward giving the easier install (directly into the chimney) a shot, and see if I can avoid the added expense of the liner and interior/exterior work. Figured I could give it a shot next year, during late fall, and if the draft proves to be too sluggish, be prepared to do a quick liner install. What do you all think? Cheers!
