Vacu Stack Chimney Cap needed for wood burning insert

[WIT Performance]

I'm having a Hearthstone Clydesdale fireplace insert installed on the 21st. My Brick Chimney currently has a Vacu-Stack on it I'm guessing to prevent a down draft. Is this needed for my wood burning insert or would it hurt to leave it?

The installer is saying I don't need it but also said I could raise the chimney a few feet if I have a problem with regular cap.

The house is 2 story and single story extension where the fireplace is the chimney is about 15 feet away from the second story and a few feet lower than the second story.

This is the VacuStack below on top of my chimney

 

[chimneylinerjames]

Sounds like as per code you are ok, but that doesn't mean no problems. I would raise the chimney the 2 feet or even more now before you install the stove. It is easier to install a chimney liner once, instead of having to take it out later and add an extension. I would just do it now and get it over with instead of hoping it will work.

 

[webby3650]

Or save a heap of trouble and use the Vacu-stack. With other structures around, draft can really be affected in strange ways. I bet you will need it.

 

[begreen]

How tall will the liner be on the Clydesdale?

 

[WIT Performance]

the liner will be about 18 ft the height of the chimney

 

[begreen]

18 ft should keep the Clydesdale happy. I'm not sure why the vacustack cap is on the chimney but it would seem to indicate there was an issue. Will you be installing a full liner when installing the Clydesdale? If so that may make enough improvement in draft, but I can't see any harm in leaving the cap on. There are other factors including the chimney location that can affect drafting, especially in windy weather.

 

[WIT Performance]

This is a picture of the chimney currently w/ vacu stack and 2nd story approx 20 ft away

 

[Machria]

What unit was in the chimney, a regular fireplace...? And, how did that work with the vacustack on it? Ever any problems, or did it seem to work when windy?

PS- While your at it, tell your neighbor to change that cap he/she has, those are terrible and let rain right down the pipe!

 

[WIT Performance]

A regular masonary fireplace, only in the house a year so not sure why its on there my neighbor has the same vacustack on his house as well probably the same builder for both fireplaces.