Keep Wood stove in Earth shelter house?

[snaple4]

We picked up a 2200 sqft Earth sheltered house this month. Sides, back, and roof are below grade. Not sure of insulation levels but assume 1-2" of foam board. This is in North West Arkansas/South West Missouri. Stove is in the in the living room. Sierra 2200. It looks like 1980 on the plate but hard to see. I just replaced the gaskets but haven't fired it yet. Should I keep this thing or replace it with a newer epa stove? If so what size would be best in an underground house? I'm coming from a regency i2400.

 

[webby3650]

That is one funky set up! It’s a fireplace insert, without the fireplace.. That’s a ticking time bomb!

 

[moresnow]

Believe I'd get rid of the stone enclosure? A giant heat sink. Never seen anything like that? Bet you would get much better heat dispersion as a open corner install and straight up pipe. Just my opinion! Not trying to offend. I have zero knowledge of your current stove. Guessing any stove will struggle in that setup.

 

[snaple4]

I'm not a fan of the setup and would like to change it to a corner but that will have to wait for a year or two. It is an actual stove, they just made it look like an insert.

Something else interesting... The HVAC system pulls the return air from around this thing. Actually an interesting idea but not what should be done.

From talking to the neighbors he thinks it originally had an open fireplace but not sure when they changed it to what it is now. House is recorded as being built in 92.

If I replace it with a stand alone stove, what size do you think i should get?

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[moresnow]

I'm not a fan of the setup and would like to change it to a corner but that will have to wait for a year or two. It is an actual stove, they just made it look like an insert.

Something else interesting... The HVAC system pulls the return air from around this thing. Actually an interesting idea but not what should be done.

From talking to the neighbors he thinks it originally had an open fireplace but not sure when they changed it to what it is now. House is recorded as being built in 92.

If I replace it with a stand alone stove, what size do you think i should get?

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Read this https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...first-burn-of-season-why.170641/#post-2288456

 

[snaple4]

Good link. Several things lead me to believe they didn't have things inspected during construction. I'm actually in the HVAC field; I wasn't surprised by the setup because of all the things I see but still don't like it. I made some changes and now only some of the air is pulled from around the stove. No way to fix completely because of the 8" thick concrete wall.

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[jetsam]

That sounds like an awesome house. I bet it doesn't need much heating or cooling.

With the entire house below grade, I'd take a look at air intake and venting as part of the new-stove process. You may not be allowed to use an OAK.

When the stove/dryer/exhaust fans/etc run, how does air get back into the house?

How does the flue get outside? Especially if it's directly buried, what condition is it in?

The HVAC air intake at the stove is dangerous in a regular house, and I'd be ten times as scared if my flue was directly cooled by earth- more potential for draft reversal there. If your draft reverses, you have combustion byproducts including CO flowing out of the stove and straight into the air intake above the stove.

 

[bholler]

I am not sure what pipe that liner is hooked to but i really have to question if is is rated for use as a chimney for a woodstove. It almost looks like l vent to me.

 

[webby3650]

Looks like dura-vent dura liner to me. It’s a really sketchy setup, I sure wouldn’t use it.

 

[bholler]

Looks like dura-vent dura liner to me. It’s a really sketchy setup, I sure wouldn’t use it.

Could be i have never worked with that. Absolutly sketchy regardless

 

[snaple4]

Posted before about this stove when we picked up the house.

1st I will be taking out the wood frame of the doorway and the rock enclosure.

We will also be redoing the ductwork. Wi have a trunkline on both sides of flue pipe. We will remove the furnace b-vent and will go with PVC out the front of house. Furnace will be moved to in front of doorway with plenum going up.

What I need help figuring out is how to put in new flue pipe and seal up the doorway. Was thinking of using a ceiling support on the chase but not sure this will work. Could I just use some metal studs and durock to seal up the door way?

I'll be able to post measurements in about an hour.

 

[begreen]

It's good you are tackling the problems. This is a nightmare of a setup. Funky is much too kind a description. As you've gathered, there are multiple code and safety violations. In planning, note that the return air intake is supposed to be at least 10ft away from the wood heater. Clearances to combustibles, insulation around the class A, and who know what else has been ignored with this install. Personally, my approach would be taken from the old song Tobacco Road - Bring dynamite, and a crane. Blow it up and start all over again.