i have a wood and oil forced air furnace. getting the smeel of wood smoke in the house so strong sometimes it sticks to slothes. Would an outside air kit help me and How do you know if you need an outside air kit? is it possiable to tie it into the air return ducting going to the furance? thanks for any advice
Outside air kit
- Thread starter Kwhelan
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A fresh air intake may help depending upon what is causing the issue. And no it can't tie into the return duct that would pull a vacum when the fan came on causing massive problems.
Mech e
Feeling the Heat
Additionally, your furnace heating system is a closed loop, meaning no connection to the outside, thus no outside air for the stove which is what you are trying to get.
here is my problem any advice is helpful.
currently have a wood/oil combo forced air furnace in my basement. while the burning wood i am getting a smell of smoke in the house. chimney draft is good, not getting no back draft through the door while lighting or refilling. i have return air in main living area and one in the basement which is half complete. the area where the furnace is, is unfinished. The wood and oil share the same flue and chimney with non barometric damper. i am thinking it mabye something to do with negative pressure. any ideas or advice would be helpful. House is newly built with mabye 15 fires burnt in the furncae and it is not the smell of new coming from the furncae, it sticks to your clothes after so long. thanks
currently have a wood/oil combo forced air furnace in my basement. while the burning wood i am getting a smell of smoke in the house. chimney draft is good, not getting no back draft through the door while lighting or refilling. i have return air in main living area and one in the basement which is half complete. the area where the furnace is, is unfinished. The wood and oil share the same flue and chimney with non barometric damper. i am thinking it mabye something to do with negative pressure. any ideas or advice would be helpful. House is newly built with mabye 15 fires burnt in the furncae and it is not the smell of new coming from the furncae, it sticks to your clothes after so long. thanks
perhaps a negative pressure in House ( new places are sealed up pretty tight) and therefore pulling in exhaust scent from outside through nooks and crannies. Could be from when you open firebox to reload as well even with a good draft. What is the flue constructed of?
The flue is double wall stove pipe going into double wall insulated prefab chimney all sized correct to the furance. i am thinking it has something to do with negative pressure
Fresh, makeup air intakes are frequently tied into hvac systems. It's not the most efficient, but not uncommon either. I think this is what is being asked about.
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If there is a nearby window that you can open as a test, try opening it 1". If that makes a difference, then an outside air supply will help. There are a few ways to do this. An outside vent can be ducted using flexible or rigid pipe to end close to the furnace intake. Another more expensive, but more efficient solution is to install an HRV system.
In that case I would have the HVAC guys who set the system up come out to check pressures around the house.
i dont see thta being the problem when the hvac is not running i have the same issue
Why is it off? There are many factors that contribute to a stale house and negative pressure. Can the HRV be turned on independently of the HVAC system?
Is the upstairs finished and sealed off? When the smoke smell occurs, are any upstairs windows open or exhaust fans running (bath, kitchen, clothes dryer)? Ceiling vent to the attic open and unsealed?
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Why was this installed without a barometric damper? The manual calls for one. Likewise, the section on Combustion Air should be followed.
![[Hearth.com] Outside air kit](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/261/261079-9b6e34f6b918b13194c602618452776e.jpg?hash=oaV-IbosQ5 "[Hearth.com] Outside air kit")
![[Hearth.com] Outside air kit](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/261/261080-28b022515aa13d1092b795732d55b10b.jpg?hash=tIAGFho8qP "[Hearth.com] Outside air kit")
The reason it is off is only because I am trying different things. The hrv is its own indepentant unit. The entire interior of the house is complete. I get the smeel of smoke in the house when everything in the house off or on
I will be getting one installed to see if it helps. I was told a barometric damper is really only for the oil side, which I am having no problem with.
To clarify then, you get the smoke smell when the HRV is left on and running? Are all openings (windows, doors, attic vent) in the above floor(s) closed when this occurs?
Probably unrelated, I just started reading the manual and noted that. It may not be necessary for this circumstance and for testing purposes would add another layer of complication. I'd hold off until the smoke smell issue is resolved. If it is installed it should be done with proper testing equipment for draft and the draft should be tested with normal upstairs activity like opening a door, running a clothes dryer and/or kitchen exhaust fan.
Yes i get the smell of soke whether the HRV is on or off. All windows,doors,attic completely sealed when i get the smell also.
The next step is to open a nearby window about an inch to see if that remedies the situation.
Does the smoke smell start right away, or after a few hours? What is the outdoor temperature when burning?
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