Fresh Air?

[MacGyver]

Is there an official consensus on whether or not fresh outside cold air will make a pellet stove burn hotter and more efficiently? The majority of pellet stoves I've seen have been simply drawing air from the room that they are in and seem to be operating well even though most stoves state it is "mandatory" to have the air intake running outside to bring in fresh air.

Thoughts?

 

[seige101]

The general consensus is why suck cold air into the house and blow warm heated air out the chimney. It makes a difference that you won't feel drafts on the floor

Do a quick search on the topic there are numerous threads

 

[bogieb]

Is there an official consensus on whether or not fresh outside cold air will make a pellet stove burn hotter and more efficiently? The majority of pellet stoves I've seen have been simply drawing air from the room that they are in and seem to be operating well even though most stoves state it is "mandatory" to have the air intake running outside to bring in fresh air.

Thoughts?

What Seige said.

However, I don't think most stoves state that it is Mandatory. A lot of them strongly suggest use of OAK. And, if you live in a mobile home, or the clearance from exhaust to windows/doors etc is not enough (2-4' depending on location/feature), then it is Mandatory,

 

[jintoreedwine]

In the time I have spent reading through the forums most seem to agree that it is good to have one. For some, it even solved some combustion problems. However, in terms of whether the pellets burn hotter, as long as you have good air, the pellets should burn the same. The absolute best way to know you have good combustion air, is to install an OAK and I think that's why most people do it.

Normally it is not much extra effort and it gives you piece of mind knowing that you'll be giving your stove the best chance at good combustion!

 

[chken]

Is there an official consensus on whether or not fresh outside cold air will make a pellet stove burn hotter and more efficiently? The majority of pellet stoves I've seen have been simply drawing air from the room that they are in and seem to be operating well even though most stoves state it is "mandatory" to have the air intake running outside to bring in fresh air.

Thoughts?

Common sense tells you that an outside air source is better; however, I suspect that for most people the difference is minimal, given how leaky most homes are.

 

[Tonyray]

Using inside air is the same air you paid to heat with Pellets..
I prefer free outside air along with not feeling the draft along the floors
which is how it was before we attached the OAK.

 

[Keifer2669]

Well my thoughts are. If you use the inside air and blow exhaust out,(causing a low pressure) the air that you use from the inside has to be replaced which will cause it to be sucked in from the outside by the way of drafts through windows,doors etc...

 

[johninwi]

4 years with the stove, 1st years with the oak on it, What i didn't expect is the humidifier runs far less. But then so has the snowblower this year.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

About every fourth post I write is some variation of "Yes, you need an OAK" (Outside Air Kit). Do a search on OAK and you'll have hours of reading from many here.

 

[Buckeyesfan75]

I've only been reading on this forum for a couple months now, but I'm fairly certain this might be the most controversial and dividing topics that is brought up. I believe a thread about the same topic was just shutdown a few days ago due to the heated exchanges. Personally, I enjoy reading the debates and funny quips and retorts people share, but you better be prepared to battle if you throw your hat in this ring of discussion.

As Wilbur Feral said, it's best just to search out past threads on the subject before this thread gets too "heated" !!

 

[BrotherBart]

About time there was an OAK discussion here.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

im all "OAK'd" out

 

[SidecarFlip]

About every fourth post I write is some variation of "Yes, you need an OAK" (Outside Air Kit). Do a search on OAK and you'll have hours of reading from many here.

Yep. Why use heated air for combustion anyway. Bring in outside, unheated air and use that for combustion. If you want to use heated room air, use your fireplace instead. Me, I prefer FAK over OAK (Fresh Air Kit versus Outside Air Kit) but I'm different in many respects.

 

[dozerdean]

Didn't think I needed oak either. Installed one and it does make a difference! Pellets burn better, glass stays cleaner longer & no more cold spots!!

 

[Lake Girl]

Hubby and I had a discussion on this a while back. We do have an OAK and did notice change from first week of install w/o OAK. Anyway, Hubby mentioned a Honeywell study from the 50s that found that cold outside air improved burn. Tried to find the study but no luck

 

[SidecarFlip]

Hubby and I had a discussion on this a while back. We do have an OAK and did notice change from first week of install w/o OAK. Anyway, Hubby mentioned a Honeywell study from the 50s that found that cold outside air improved burn. Tried to find the study but no luck

My opinion is out, one way or another. I've always run outside air...for 30 years now. It might cause a hotter burn, incrementally, but probably not so much as to be noticible. Gotta go play Santa for the twins this afternoon.... Little girls, 3. Identical twins and cute as buttons.

 

[Tonyray]

This OAK discussion will self-destruct again.............Maybe..

 

[TimfromMA]

Ive never read about anyone regretting their OAK installation.

 

[TonyVideo]

Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all pellet owners. May the draft elimination of an OAK find its way into your stocking on Christmas morning. If not you will be using the stocking for other than gifts.

 

[BrotherBart]

May the draft elimination of an OAK find its way into your stocking on Christmas morning.

 

[MacGyver]

Well my thoughts are. If you use the inside air and blow exhaust out,(causing a low pressure) the air that you use from the inside has to be replaced which will cause it to be sucked in from the outside by the way of drafts through windows,doors etc...

I never thought of it that way!

 

[Keifer2669]

I know an example on a bigger scale. If you ever go into a bldg or factory that uses large exhaust vents. You will notice how when you open the door it's like a wind tunnel with the air being sucked in. Not sure how big a problem the relates on the smaller scale of a house. But also as others have said why use the already heated air again? What is the downside of a oak?

 

[Keifer2669]

What is fak? Same as oak?

 

[Rich2343]

Is there an official consensus on whether or not fresh outside cold air will make a pellet stove burn hotter and more efficiently? The majority of pellet stoves I've seen have been simply drawing air from the room that they are in and seem to be operating well even though most stoves state it is "mandatory" to have the air intake running outside to bring in fresh air.

Thoughts?

Folks put cold air intakes on their vehicles for better peformance. Deisels run a intercoler,basically a giant air radiator just to cool the air. Drag cars put ice on the intakes. In conclusion colder air is denser which means better combustion. As I understand

 

[Keifer2669]

Amen! Sounds right to me!!