25-EP Fresh install, OAK or no OAK?

[mursebuzz]

Just installed my 25-EP and its working great. I have read and reread the lit on the stove and I have nice basic understanding. However from what I have read on here the OAK is debated. I don't really wanna knock another hole in my plaster and brick. My house isnt tight, 1978 split level, needs a few upgrades in that department. I have done a decent amount to tighten it up myself. If I could get some feedback it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Big papa]

Try it this year without the oak and then make a decision from there.since it's so highly debated that's what I'm doing this year.will let you know what I end up doing

 

[mursebuzz]

Try it this year without the oak and then make a decision from there.since it's so highly debated that's what I'm doing this year.will let you know what I end up doing

Yeah, that was certainly my plan. Im a rookie, not an HVAC guy, but it just seems kinda senseless. What kinda stove did you install?

 

[BrotherBart]

There isn't any debate in the manual for that stove:

" Use of outside combustion air is mandatory with this unit."

 

[Big papa]

I had an harman accentra installed by the dealer in June only used it a couple times this year but the high today is 50 so I'll be using it as soon as the temp drops in the house.the biggest reason I think I would go for an OAK is some people say it drags cool air across the floor making it uncomfortable.if I experince this I will install the OAK but haven't yet

 

[mursebuzz]

Understood, But I would like to know some of the science behind their rational. If is because the cold air creates more efficiency?

 

[Big papa]

Good eye Bart I wouldn't have caught that

 

[Big papa]

Understood, But I would like to know some of the science behind their rational. If is because the cold air creates more efficiency?

Well Bart our staff member says your stove requires theOAK so not to void any warranty I would install it

 

[Peterfield]

Yeah, that was certainly my plan. Im a rookie, not an HVAC guy, but it just seems kinda senseless. What kinda stove did you install?

I have been thinking about this as my installer is NOT recommending an OAK for my upcoming installation, although he did say there are situations when it is warranted, such as when a window that can be opened is within four of five feet of the stove. Due to the convective nature of pellet stoves, I was wondering if the heat would be more evenly distributed if the stove was pulling cold air low to the floor, thereby allowing the warm air to replace it from above and creating a natural circulation depending on one's room layout. If the air is being pulled solely from outside via an OAK, would it not make sense that the circulation within the home would be significantly lessened, thereby reducing the spread of heat throughout the house. Just a thought.

 

[Big papa]

Lots of things to consider but the main goal of my stove is to be warmer more comfortable in the winter so if it's pulling cold air in an causing drafts I will get an OAK.just teasing things out now to make my own decision hoping I don't need one cause it's another$250.

 

[BrotherBart]

Personally if there is a power loss or chimney obstruction I would rather all of that smoke and CO go out an OAK than into my house.

 

[Big papa]

Wouldn't the smoke go out the exhaust liner 16' up the chimney

 

[dlehneman]

Keep in mind that without an OAK, the stove will take your already heated air inside your home and blow it out the chimney. That warm air will be replaced by cold air pulled through whatever air leaks you have in your home since it's creating a vacuum. So avoiding this situation by using outside air makes more sense and makes the stove more effective, no doubt why Englander requires it.

 

[Big papa]

No argument here just going to test the differnce between no OAK and having an OAK this year already planning the cost of install now but was curious to learn on my own given the information on here

 

[johninwi]

3" oak is a touch over 7 sq inches of area, lets say a nearby window is 24" wide, would you leave it cracked open 5/16" to satisfy to stove's demand?

 

[Pellet-King]

My stove is a insert, If i stuck a hose down my fireplace cleanout would that be better?, I feel drafts when sitting near the stove, you will feel cold air breeze.

 

[Big papa]

I think everyone should get an OAK and be happy

 

[FTG-05]

You can pull cold air in through your house or you can pull cold air through the OAK.

Tell us why you would want to pull cold air through your house. Isn't the purpose of the stove to heat the air inside your house? It's hard enough to heat a house with wood (or pellets), why make it harder?

 

[BrotherBart]

From the horse's mouth:

http://www.englanderstoves.com/help/PelletStove/outside_air.html

 

[mursebuzz]

Next free day I'm going to put the oak on.

 

[Tonyray]

You can pull cold air in through your house or you can pull cold air through the OAK.

Tell us why you would want to pull cold air through your house. Isn't the purpose of the stove to heat the air inside your house? It's hard enough to heat a house with wood (or pellets), why make it harder?

Also, you end up pulling air that you already paid to heat with pellets by not having an OAK..so better to pull in free outside air.

 

[BrotherBart]

It is kinda funny. Any time a cord wood burner posts in the hearth room that his stove is burning like crap the first thing they are told is to crack a window and see if negative pressure is causing it. Never seen anybody in the pellet room ask the same question. Despite the fact that pellet stoves require one hell of a lot more combustion air.

 

[Pete Zahria]

Next free day I'm going to put the oak on.

Good idea.

 

[alternativeheat]

I have been thinking about this as my installer is NOT recommending an OAK for my upcoming installation, although he did say there are situations when it is warranted, such as when a window that can be opened is within four of five feet of the stove. Due to the convective nature of pellet stoves, I was wondering if the heat would be more evenly distributed if the stove was pulling cold air low to the floor, thereby allowing the warm air to replace it from above and creating a natural circulation depending on one's room layout. If the air is being pulled solely from outside via an OAK, would it not make sense that the circulation within the home would be significantly lessened, thereby reducing the spread of heat throughout the house. Just a thought.

Well your point has a certain level of validity to it. But the "natural" circulation within the house should be contained within the house, this is the job of the convection blower. However the combustion blower air is used up in burning pellets and ejected out your flue, thus needing replacement. That process of combustion causes a negative draw inside the house and so cold outside air replaces it where ever it can enter from. Convection air circulates and gets warmed all over again and as the house warms you can ultimately turn down the heat level of the stove or in the case of Harman it will do that for you in control of combustion temps. Make sense ?

 

[mursebuzz]

It makes sense to an extent. I understand what you guys are getting at. I appreciate the feedback.