Hi there. I just had a Heat & Glow fireplace insert installed replacing my existing wood fireplace. During the install the installers encountered limited space to run the aluminum vent lines all the way up the existing flue due to an awkward bend in the flue. They ended up leaving the intake line short (starting at the gas unit and going as far up as they could) and running the exhaust gas line all the way up.
They then could not terminate either vent line with a wind cap due to the masonry construction of my existing chimney. The old chimney was built with a "cap" of brick over the top, with large side openings on all four sides of the chimney just below the top brick cap. These openings have spark arrester screening over them (local fire codes in my area requires this). So instead of drilling through the brick top to thread the exhaust vent up through it and into a wind cap, they just left the pipe kind of curved to a soft right angle inside the screened area under the brick top. They say they have to do it this way in many cases because of the odd ball chimneys in my area. They assured me it is ok with the manufacturer even though I know it is not technically to code. The unit functions fine.
The installation company (where I purchased the unit) did not put the cost of modifying my chimney by drilling into their quote so I would have to pay extra for it. I got an outside bid of around $500 from a general contractor that I know.
How essential is the wind cap? Is there a safety concern here?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
They then could not terminate either vent line with a wind cap due to the masonry construction of my existing chimney. The old chimney was built with a "cap" of brick over the top, with large side openings on all four sides of the chimney just below the top brick cap. These openings have spark arrester screening over them (local fire codes in my area requires this). So instead of drilling through the brick top to thread the exhaust vent up through it and into a wind cap, they just left the pipe kind of curved to a soft right angle inside the screened area under the brick top. They say they have to do it this way in many cases because of the odd ball chimneys in my area. They assured me it is ok with the manufacturer even though I know it is not technically to code. The unit functions fine.
The installation company (where I purchased the unit) did not put the cost of modifying my chimney by drilling into their quote so I would have to pay extra for it. I got an outside bid of around $500 from a general contractor that I know.
How essential is the wind cap? Is there a safety concern here?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.