Sharing a flue?

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Pellet-King

Minister of Fire
Nov 30, 2008
1,658
Northern Ct
Can I share a flue with my oil furnace?, I dont use the furnace very much, could i run a 3" flex pipe in my basement up the cleanout ?, of course blocking off the cleanout plate, or what about adding a 3" pipe into the side of a 6", my furnace pipe is probably 5 feet long into chimney from the lowboy furnace.
Just thinking of options to heat my cellar with a freestanding pellet stove instead of using kerosone heater......

Or maybe removing my cellar window and piping out from there?
 
sharing flues is a no-no
 
Pellet-King said:
Or maybe removing my cellar window and piping out from there?

That's my vote! Box in the window completly and insulate it good. Also don't forget to put some rise for snow clearance on the outside. And watch the EVL.

Best to check your local code before you start.
 
This is just to use to heat my man cave, have a PJ with a big screen and we watch football every sunday down there, get's cold down there during dec-feb
Seems houses with hot weater heating are warm in there cellar's, not forced air.
 
Pellet-King said:
Can I share a flue with my oil furnace?, I dont use the furnace very much, could i run a 3" flex pipe in my basement up the cleanout ?, of course blocking off the cleanout plate, or what about adding a 3" pipe into the side of a 6", my furnace pipe is probably 5 feet long into chimney from the lowboy furnace.
Just thinking of options to heat my cellar with a freestanding pellet stove instead of using kerosone heater......

Or maybe removing my cellar window and piping out from there?

Weeeelllllllllllll............. there seems to be a grey area in the codes, depending on where you are. If they aren't running at the same time......... check your local codes..........and your homeowners insurance policy............and, maybe............
 
Sharing a flue makes the installation non compliant with the manufacturers installation manual and in most jurisdictions that means it violates code.

Check with your code enforcement folks.
 
hossthehermit said:
and, maybe............


NO

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Don't be confused by the possibility of correctly commingling the draft of like fuel appliances

but this is not one of those
 
I think "many" cellar windows are directly below windows for the first floor of the house... Venting out the cellar might require additional pipe to vent it away from the window.
 
Here is a detailed article on both the unsafe and potentially safe practices of shared flues, with due attention to the risks in both cases. Regardless, as stated above, your local codes and the whims of your insurer prevail. Also note the OEM's installation instructions. If you don't follow them, then you void the certification by the standards body (e.g., UL, CSA), and likely hence your insurance.
http://www.inspectapedia.com/chimneys/Shared_Chimney_Flues.htm
 
I would say to be safe run a separate flue pipe and dont risk the hazard of sharing a flue. Better safe than sorry, and your code probably prohibits sharing.
 
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