Air draft at surround panel - Enviro 1700

[gazerbeam06070]

Folks I have noticed air being sucked into the grout spaces around the surround panel of my Enviro 1700. Trying to figure out what's going on, is this normal, etc. Photo posted below.

Bunch of things come to mind.

1. Is this necessary for the stove to draw air for the air intake? Or are there other air feed sources if this is insulated?
2. The Enviro Manual states they do not recommend insulating this area unless "your chimney have a minimum cross-sectional area of 28 and a maximum of 144 square inch." How do I measure the cross sectional area?
3. is this contributing the heat loss up the chimney? Would a block off plate improve this situation?

Thanks

Ken

 

[rwhite]

Do you have a full stainless steel liner and block off plate?

 

[begreen]

With a 6" liner you have the 28 sq in area covered. Sounds like a block-off plate may be needed.

 

[rwhite]

Sorry, I just noticed you asked if a block off plate would help. Yes it will, immensely.

 

[NoGoodAtScreenNames]

With a block off plate I have the reverse on the top. A lot of heat spills out the top even when the fan is on. Kids like to go put their cold hands on the brick above the surround to warm them up.

 

[gazerbeam06070]

With a block off plate I have the reverse on the top. A lot of heat spills out the top even when the fan is on. Kids like to go put their cold hands on the brick above the surround to warm them up.

That's an interesting point you have there. I can hold my hand directly on the center point of the surround panel. Warm but not too hot. It measures ~110/115 degrees on the infrared thermometer. At this point the rear of the panel is exposed to the firebox opening, not brick.

This stove does not throw as much heat as expected & I've suspected a lot is going up the chimney. Had planned for a block off plate this summer but more pressing projects consumed my time. So will do for sure next year and will try to repeat these measurements for comparison.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Ken

 

[NoGoodAtScreenNames]

These are the temps I’m getting right now towards the end before a reload in another hour. Big difference from what you’re reporting.

 

[gazerbeam06070]

Wow yes huge difference. That 212 reading is on the brick just above the surround panel?

This is confirming my suspicions. I felt I was not getting as much heat as my friends do from their stoves, and one has the exact same model. But it was difficult to accurately compare since our house/room is much much larger.

Thanks again very helpful

 

[NoGoodAtScreenNames]

Wow yes huge difference. That 212 reading is on the brick just above the surround panel?

This is confirming my suspicions. I felt I was not getting as much heat as my friends do from their stoves, and one has the exact same model. But it was difficult to accurately compare since our house/room is much much larger.

Thanks again very helpful

Yeah, the 212 is the brick where the air drafts upwards. I’ve seen lots of threads asking about sealing the surround. That never made sense to me based on the heat I get coming out.

I also have Roxul stuffed on the back wall. That helps a little too I think.