Installation/Chimney Question

[BCC_Burner]

My landlord is in the process of installing an Englander 30NC I purchased for the cabin I'm moving into.

There is an existing fieldstone fireplace in the house that he is sealing off. The woodstove will be sitting on the hearth with stovepipe running vertically for about 4 feet before bending 90 degrees and entering the chimney, with a horizontal run of about 2 feet.

The flue is clay lined and in decent shape, but it is 8x13 and external. I tried to convince him that this flue needs a liner for the stove to function properly, and for awhile he seemed open to the idea. But I spoke to him today and he said he won't reline the chimney unless the direct venting causes a problem. The chimney is not terribly tall, total vertical from stove top to cap is around 18 feet, so I'm worried that this very nice, very large new stove I've purchased will be hobbled by his install.

Apparently the insert he removed smoked so much that the previous tenants removed the smoke detectors from the place. So, am I destined to poor draft until I can convince him to spend the money to reline the chimney?

He is a home inspector for a living, but heating with wood is uncommon out here and I don't think he has much experience with newer EPA stoves.

 

[begreen]

Show him the flue requirements in the manual. The chimney exceeds stove specs and will perform poorly as well as being a creosote factory.

 

[BCC_Burner]

I have mentioned that, but he says he's spoken to a woodstove dealer/installer who told him the existing flue is fine. He say's he'll address it if/when it presents a problem. I'm just worried that the "problem" will be a chimney fire.

 

[Heatsource]

I'm just worried that the "problem" will be a chimney fire.

pretty reasonable concern!

 

[BCC_Burner]

Is there any advice on how I can convince him a new liner isn't optional? I've tried quite a few different angles, but he dismissed them today by saying he had spoken to a local fireplace/stove store and they had assured him that there was no need for a liner.

 

[ansehnlich1]

Ask the local chimney/stove expert if they will sign an agreement testifying to the fact that they ok the installation of the unit in contradiction to manufacturer's recommendation.....and if they would further sign a letter of agreement promising to repair/line the chimney when the installed system fails to operate and/or when the chimney fire occurs.

 

[begreen]

Contact Mike here or Englander tech support. We just went over this in another thread. Have Englander answer the question in writing then let the landlord know that if there is an insurance claim due to a chimney fire, the mfg. has the final say. The local guy will just be hearsay.

Here is the other thread that quotes from the manual.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/greetings-new-30nc-and-an-introduction.113811/#post-1519427

 

[BCC_Burner]

Thank you! Really appreciate the advice. This community is a great resource and I'm looking forward to being an active part of it.

Looking forward to the day when I have the financial stability to buy a home and ensure that things like woodstove installations are done right.

 

[Hogwildz]

Send the landlord here for some light reading

 

[Ed Williams]

Also, ask your landlord to get something in writing from his insurance provider. And your renter's insurance provider, if you have it. If they aren't in the loop, and anything isn't kosher, they'll have no problem not paying for any problems. Also, if there is any financing in effect, the leinholder has a say in all this, as their collateral is being put at risk with a non-compliant installation. Finally, in many places the habitability laws forbid renting a dwelling that isn't up to codes, especially with respect to plumbing and heating issues. On the other hand, your landlord could decide that you're more trouble than you're worth, but it's really not cool to have a sketchy woodburner in your home... Good luck.