Lopi Evergreen, smoke smell with AC on

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Fransles

New Member
Jun 26, 2022
3
Massachusetts
I am hoping you can help me…We just had Lopi Evergreen Insert installed…we had a cool enough night to cure paint. Now that we are using air conditioning …there is a pull of air down the flue into the stove, and through the bottom of the stove where the burn rate adjuster is and into the home. All we can smell is ash, making me sick with headaches, and difficulty breathing. From what I understand this is negative pressure but with burn rate completely closed it does not seem right that so much air is getting through. Is this a defect with my new stove…anyone else having issues with this? For now we stuck a towel to block flow of air and open a window to combat negative pressure but still get slight smell. Help.
 

begreen

Mooderator
Staff member
Nov 18, 2005
98,843
South Puget Sound, WA
The air control for the stove never closes off fully, that is not a defect. The air conditioner is creating negative pressure in the room. Is this a whole-house AC or a window or portable unit? If it is a ducted, whole-house AC system, is there a large return in the room?
 

Fransles

New Member
Jun 26, 2022
3
Massachusetts
The air control for the stove never closes off fully, that is not a defect. The air conditioner is creating negative pressure in the room. Is this a whole-house AC or a window or portable unit? If it is a ducted, whole-house AC system, is there a large return in the room?
It is a portable air conditioner, same issue with dryer, etc.
 

begreen

Mooderator
Staff member
Nov 18, 2005
98,843
South Puget Sound, WA
Negative room air pressure is a common issue with portable air conditioners using a single hose outlet.
It sounds like the area may be already close to negative pressure. In the winter this reverses when outside temps are colder than the indoor temperature. Is this a basement room?
 

Fransles

New Member
Jun 26, 2022
3
Massachusetts
Negative room air pressure is a common issue with portable air conditioners using a single hose outlet.
It sounds like the area may be already close to negative pressure. In the winter this reverses when outside temps are colder than the indoor temperature. Is this a basement room?
No, it is the ground floor. I guess I will have to vacuum all the ashes out, plug hole with towel for summer and think about putting in a vent with flapper. Hopefully that will keep me from getting sick. Thank you for your help.
 

ratsrepus

Minister of Fire
Jan 5, 2018
792
Howell, Mi
an out side air source will solve that problem
 

begreen

Mooderator
Staff member
Nov 18, 2005
98,843
South Puget Sound, WA
They make two-hose portable AC that address this issue too.