I have a Santa Fe Insert on order and the dealer is refusing to install an OAK in masonry chimney. The manual has a picture showing it installed, an it looks reasonably simple to me. The only tricky part could be the chimney cover needs to have another hole for the air pipe. I insist on having an OAK but don't know where to turn now? Does anyone have a Quad insert in a brick chimney and an OAK? Was it a near impossible task to accomplish?
DEALER REFUSES TO INSTALL OAK
- Thread starter jackiec
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I wanted outside air for combustion on my pellet insert in a brick chimney and found Selkirk Direct-Temp Pellet. It just arrived and looks great. The cap and fresh air intake adapter that attatch outside snap together and are all stainless. No sealing joints with goo either!
Link to Selkirk: (broken link removed to http://www.selkirkcorp.com/Metalbest/Product.aspx?id=7428)
"Direct-Temp / Pellet is a revolutionary, high performance venting system. This one-of-a-kind system is two vents in one. The Stainless Steel Inner Pipe vents exhaust gases while the outer pipe supplies fresh outside air into the stove. Direct-Temp /Pellet is ideal for both sidewall and through-the-roof venting solutions and is available in 4”/6-5/8” diameter. And because DT/Pellet uses the same lengths as DT/Gas, inventory requirements are reduced.
Direct-Temp / Pellet features Selkirk’s proprietary siliconized fiberglass seal which adds an extra layer of protection to prevent joint leakage of any fly ash and combustion products. Other features include chamfered edges to allow an easy slide-together assembly, the exclusive LockTab design which securely locks sections of pipe together, and heavy duty centering brackets to keep the inner pipe centered. 1” clearance to combustibles. Smart Choice Lifetime Warranty.
Link to Selkirk: (broken link removed to http://www.selkirkcorp.com/Metalbest/Product.aspx?id=7428)
"Direct-Temp / Pellet is a revolutionary, high performance venting system. This one-of-a-kind system is two vents in one. The Stainless Steel Inner Pipe vents exhaust gases while the outer pipe supplies fresh outside air into the stove. Direct-Temp /Pellet is ideal for both sidewall and through-the-roof venting solutions and is available in 4”/6-5/8” diameter. And because DT/Pellet uses the same lengths as DT/Gas, inventory requirements are reduced.
Direct-Temp / Pellet features Selkirk’s proprietary siliconized fiberglass seal which adds an extra layer of protection to prevent joint leakage of any fly ash and combustion products. Other features include chamfered edges to allow an easy slide-together assembly, the exclusive LockTab design which securely locks sections of pipe together, and heavy duty centering brackets to keep the inner pipe centered. 1” clearance to combustibles. Smart Choice Lifetime Warranty.
very good question mac, if he's willing to pay to have a oak installed why wouldn't the dealer provide that service.Some dealers are complete as!@#$%^.macman said:
The dealer told me it would be a "monumental task and that I should get over the idea of having an OAK installed.
I spent over an hour on the phone with a technical engineer from Selkirk and am really excited to learn of their venting system which incorporates outside air. I called dealer and was met with some more nonsense about being an approved product and so on.. Then I started giving him part #'s and he said his company will have to approve it. I'm thinking of just installing it myself now. Does anyone know the approx. costs including 12' of pipe?
I spent over an hour on the phone with a technical engineer from Selkirk and am really excited to learn of their venting system which incorporates outside air. I called dealer and was met with some more nonsense about being an approved product and so on.. Then I started giving him part #'s and he said his company will have to approve it. I'm thinking of just installing it myself now. Does anyone know the approx. costs including 12' of pipe?
Here's what my OAK looks like.... the outside air is drawn in from around the exhaust.
![[Hearth.com] DEALER REFUSES TO INSTALL OAK](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/outsideoak-gif.210739/ "[Hearth.com] DEALER REFUSES TO INSTALL OAK")
![[Hearth.com] DEALER REFUSES TO INSTALL OAK](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/oakkit-webp.210740/ "[Hearth.com] DEALER REFUSES TO INSTALL OAK")
Call ESES for a quote... 920-779-6647... they are a Selkirk dealer.
Call ESES for a quote... 920-779-6647... they are a Selkirk dealer.
jackiec said:
And this is the dealer that you'll have to deal with when or if you have a problem with your stove or the install?????
Can you tell us the dealer that's being a PIA?
If I were you, I might be re-thinking who your dealing with. There are a LOT of forum members who live in Ma.....they might be able to shed some light (pos. or neg) on this dealer.
Did you give them any $$ in advance? Did you sign anything?
Macman is right around the corner from you... heck, buy the beer and we'll BOTH show up to install it.
macman said:
I agree with macman, I would be looking for a new dealer. Any good dealer must realize how important a OAK is, run and find a new dealer
Just a question to help me understand. Has the dealer communicated with Selkirk about what is involved with the install? I am not getting it. Looks like all the hardstuff has nothing to do with the chimney liner, maybe a modification at the top. What is the dealer resisting about? Would they pay for a certified sweep to do the install? Seems awfully weird. There are certain things I will not do in my shop, and my customers understand that. I will work with them to find an alternative.
macman said:
Before I decided to go with this dealer, I went to 9 other dealers and not one of them thought an OAK was a good idea or needed. Most said it was a waste of time and money because pellet stoves draw so little air. I have a pretty good deal and I might not have them install it Knowing how the other dealers feel about outside air, I might just be running into the same issue with another guy and paying more for it. If I don't have outside air, I won't have a pellet stove.
Jack,
I recently installed my own OAK for my Harman Accentra Insert and with a little fine tuning it works great and I did go up the chimney. The Selkirk pipe is really nice and makes an install go really easy but it is a little pricey to accomplish a long run up a chimney. Here is a link to my OAK install with pics. Total cost about $100. It could of been cheaper if I didn't get the OEM kit from Harman for the install and just run the 3" pipe up 1/4 of the chimney.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/41401/
I recently installed my own OAK for my Harman Accentra Insert and with a little fine tuning it works great and I did go up the chimney. The Selkirk pipe is really nice and makes an install go really easy but it is a little pricey to accomplish a long run up a chimney. Here is a link to my OAK install with pics. Total cost about $100. It could of been cheaper if I didn't get the OEM kit from Harman for the install and just run the 3" pipe up 1/4 of the chimney.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/41401/
jackiec said:
Another possibility is a different person for the install. Here's a site that will give you a list of installers in your area....just input your zip code:
(broken link removed to http://www.stovesdirect.com/installers.php)
I don't know how you would get that rigid Selkirk pipe around your smoke shelf in the fireplace. You'll need to use flex pipe to do the reline but it would take little to add the 2" OAK IF you really want it up the chimney like the diagram shows. At the top, you want to put 2 90 degree turns in it so that it is pointing down and away from the exhaust as well as falling rain. The diagram doesn't show that but I've seen pictures of people doing it that way. In my case (and maybe yours), there isn't enough room behind the insert to add a 90 degree elbow for the small flex to go up. It's a tight squeeze for me so I opted out of an OAK. The combustion blower is only 80 cfm on HIGH so we aren't talking nearly as much airflow as your fireplace wood insert sucked out of your house. Also, the Sante Fe is pretty 'loose' so you'll suck air out of the house even with an OAK AND when it is off, you'll suck cold air IN when you turn on the clothes dryer, exhaust hood, etc.
jackiec said:
I guess I am not sure why the OAK is a deal breaker. If you have a super tight home, it may be a practical issue, except out here all homes are ventilated for radon buildup. Do you have any other combustion based appliances such as range, water heater, clothes dryer? Are all of those on closed loop outside air suppliers? Tell us why you are hinging your deal on an OAK? I have burned wood and pellets for lots of years and had no concern about the combustion air except in my wood shop. Stove is 26" off ground there.
Aren't you the customer? Isn't the customer always right? why he would be arguing with you is beyond me. I'd find a new dealer as well, someone that is going to satisfy thier customers in which it sounds this company has no intention in doing. Can't an oak also be easily run out the clean out at the bottom of the chimney as well?? seems there would be less distance to travel saving in cost of venting??? And here is another ? about the selkirk vent. since the air intake is right next to the exhaust isn't it pulling back in "bad" air, I realize in essence it is a closed system and not coming directly into the house or anything but one would think "fresh"air would be more advantagous. (for instance, most vents say they must be x amount of feet away from any air intake into the house???? just asking...
"Tell us why you are hinging your deal on an OAK?"
I have been following this forum for around 6 years contemplating a pellet stove purchase. In the beginning, it was because I was looking to save $$ on oil bill. Now, the principal reason is comfort. After having seen how much better the oil burner performs since adding outside air, I want it for pellet stove also. I am aware the oil burner draws much more air than a pellet stove, but I have waited this long, and am willing to pay for it, why shouldn't I get it? I would rather give the 2.6 tons of Okanagan pellets away and just forget about getting a stove. I could probably keep the house at 75 for the next 10 winters and save $$ over a stove purchase. Besides, in ten years I'll either be dead or in Florida, hopefully the latter. Hope this explains it.
I have been following this forum for around 6 years contemplating a pellet stove purchase. In the beginning, it was because I was looking to save $$ on oil bill. Now, the principal reason is comfort. After having seen how much better the oil burner performs since adding outside air, I want it for pellet stove also. I am aware the oil burner draws much more air than a pellet stove, but I have waited this long, and am willing to pay for it, why shouldn't I get it? I would rather give the 2.6 tons of Okanagan pellets away and just forget about getting a stove. I could probably keep the house at 75 for the next 10 winters and save $$ over a stove purchase. Besides, in ten years I'll either be dead or in Florida, hopefully the latter. Hope this explains it.
jackiec said:
In six years, how many members of this forum have OAK's and have said it improves the burn in their stoves??? Unless you have an extra tight house, it is nice, but not necessary. You say you have outside air for your oil stove, is it closed loop? Is your burner completely isolated from the inside air? I think you improved the combustion by allowing more air in, but you can not expect the same improvement from the p-stove.
Personally, unless necessary, it's sort of like those extra large exhausts on pick-up trucks around here. Look cool, but they are just louder, and are never cost justified. I know I am cheap, but that's the whole idea, right??????
littlesmokey said:
If you admit to being cheap, then you should be the 1st person to NOT want to use burn air that you already paid to heat, and send it out of the house. 8-/
macman said:
Mac,
Using that logic, I shouldn't open the door and let the air escape, or open the fridge, cause the cold leaks out, or turn the vent on in the bath. Cheap means something different to me.
littlesmokey said:
No, be real, OK?
Those are things that you have NO control of...you HAVE to do them. You DON"T have to burn already heated air if you don't want to, by installing an OAK.
And by YOUR logic, what the hell, we might as well open all the windows in the house in January, because we have to open the door anyway, and the frig, and turn the vent fan on....that's logic???
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