To insulate or not to insulate, that is the question...

[martel]

I know there has to be a few threads about this in here someplace, but I can't seem to find one. I am looking at having my masonry fp lined and put in a wood insert. I have had two different sweeps out to price the job. One said you absolutely need to use insulation in the job- the other siad you absolutely don't need to insulate (that yes it would make the stoves more efficient).

Words of wisdom? links to other threads?

Thanks in advance.

zgjd

 

[Mike Wilson]

I wouldn't do it. Just run the liner up through the chimney, close off the top with a top plate, and seal the damper with a direct connect plate. It will work fine, and if you ever want to remove the liner it will be an easier job. Now, will an insulated liner have a better draft, yeah, probably, but how much better? I think marginally so. Its a cost benefit analysis. Besides, after the liner will warm the air inside the chimney a bit (which, being sealed, should hold some of the heat). That's my opinion.

YMMV...

Mike

 

[martel]

mike thanks- so most of all- its safe right? I'm looknig at an abundance of free wood, so a bit less efficient is not going ot break the bank. This sweep did mention if it s a good terracota (sp?) liner he would perhaps recommending not even using a liner.

 

[Mike Wilson]

Its totally safe, that's not the issue. As for not using a liner, don't do it. I had a brand new terra cotta flue, and ran the insert into it for one season. It worked, but wind was a problem, and it wasn't nearly as good, or efficient, as with the liner. Now its a machine, starts fine, wind and rain are never a problem, and the draft is 100% better.

-- Mike

PS - I have an uninsulated flex liner in a 12" terra cotta flue, sealed on top and at the damper plate, 6.5' X 3.5" brick chimney, exposed to the elements and the Atlantic Ocean on 3 sides.

 

[Sundeep Arole]

Another thing to consider if you don't use a full liner is that cleaning the chimney will become a much bigger chore. You will at the very least have to pull the insert out each time. With a full liner you could run a brush down the liner, and gather the crumbs from the insert.

 

[martel]

May be worth it just for that. I cannot wait to get a stove in. I spend the days shivering and dreaming of it...