still need reline my chimney for an insert pellet stove?

[lmei007]

I am thinking install an insert pellet stove. The saleman keepes telling me I need reline installation (cost extra $1000). I checked my chimney, I think it is in excellent condition with tile lining. Please see the photos named Chimney 1 and Chimney 2 here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmei007/?saved=1

the stove spec do have three different options:
A. Direct connect with outside air;
B. Direct connect without outside air;
C. Full reline with outside air;

My understanding is if the chimney condition is not good, use option C, otherwise option A and B can be used.

Here is the spec: (broken link removed)

page 14 and 15 specified the installaton.

I think my chimney condition is good, am I right?

What is your opinions? I am new to those kind of things. I need your advice.

thanks

 

[begreen]

He is correct. This is not based on the chimney condition. Your dealer is trying to guide you into a proper installation. Yes, you can just pipe the stove 5' up the chimney through a block off plate. It will work. And you will be getting all kinds of crap dumping on your new stove and a lot of rain which will drop it's value and reliability like a stone.

If you want the best, long-term running with this stove you will want a stainless liner, all the way to the top of the chimney. I think this has been gone over a few times already. However, the $1000 price is pretty steep unless they were also planning to install the outside air intake up the chimney. But this is peak season, so prices will be higher.

Can you safely access the chimney top? Are you comfortable and prepared to be working at heights? If yes, this is a pretty straight forward task. Go back to the links provided earlier and work up a pipe order. You can post it here if you want it double checked.

Search on pellet liner for more info:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/10755/

 

[lmei007]

Great! that is what I am looking for. I have already started to get ready for the reline installation. I can do it myself, no problem. My house is a ranch, not so high and I was like a monkey few years ago.

Can I reuse my chimney cap and just put the pipe outlet under the cap? (broken link removed to http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmei007/2043410427/)

I plan to do it with outside air. What's kinds of pipe I can use for the air?

thanks

 

[Xena]

lmei you will have to remove that chimney cap in order to
cap the pellet stove liner. The new cap will slide over
a hat shaped thing that you screw down to the chimney top
with anchoring screws. The liner will be either 3" or 4" (whichever you use)
so that's why it won't work with the cap you there now.


Here's a picture of my 4" rain cap.

Here's a few links of the items that go up on top of the chimney flue. I
used simpson duravent pl vent, but these are just to show you why you
have to remove that existing cap:
http://www.novaflex.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=117&idproduct=827
http://www.novaflex.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=117&idproduct=792
http://www.novaflex.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=117&idproduct=825

 

[begreen]

Thanks for the picture zeta. lmei007, you can use 3" pipe for your particular installation. Follow the instructions in the manual, including the block off plate. Be sure to have flex on the bottom for easy servicing and don't make it tight. You want enough flex so that it is easy to pull the stove out for servicing. (FWIW, I ran flex from the stove to the top of the chimney where I connected to a 2 foot section of rigid pipe to go through the top plate.) Don't forget the rain collar on the exterior rigid pipe.

For the OAK you'll want 2" aluminum flex piping.

 

[lmei007]

Thank you BeGreen and Zeta. It is clearer now.

I just got a quotation for A 4" X 25' liner kit. The price is $400 from NH. One installer there also sell parts online. The price is good?

As BeGreen mentioned, 3" is also good and I will ask again. And also the 2" alumium flex for air.

 

[begreen]

I would think a 3" x 15' kit would be what you want for a one story house. 25' is for 2 story.

 

[lmei007]

I would think a 3" x 15' kit would be what you want for a one story house. 25' is for 2 story.

you are right. I measured this morning. From the cap to flanking is about 14' length. I measured from bottom to up so the actual length will less than that because the tape was bent inside the chimney.

 

[Xena]

Though my house is a ranch, I got the 25 foot flex kit
just because we had never done this before and if
we screwed up on the cuts then we'd be screwed.

lmei, $400 is just about what I paid for a Simpson duravent kit in October of 2005.

 

[lmei007]

Can I use this 3" x 25' aluminum duct as the outside air intake pipe? (broken link removed to http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId;=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100314310&marketID=39&locStoreNum=2674)

(broken link removed to http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2049865539&size=l)

It says that it can be used in general cooling, heating and exhausting.

I found it in Homedepot. I cannot find 2" pipe there and lowes.


Another thing is the installer who sells stainless steel pipe to me suggested me "taking the air from the chimney should be fine, we do that all the time without a problem. there is usually enough cool air in there for combustion". From your professional point of view, it is right or not?

thanks