So far, we have spoken with three fireplace installers, and each prefers a different option for the fresh air supply. We will choose a room-air-independent fireplace and therefore need a fresh air supply from outside. The following options were recommended to us:
1. Pipe through the foundation slab with a mushroom vent in the garden
2. Chimney with two adjacent flues, one for exhaust gases and one for fresh air (e.g., Schiedel Xpert)
3. Chimney with concentric fresh air supply (e.g., Erutec FLAS)
Option 1 can be relatively inexpensive, but we don’t want a pipe or mushroom vent visible outdoors.
We like option 2.
Option 3 is supposed to preheat the incoming fresh air, improving combustion. On the other hand, I imagine that the warming fresh air might have difficulty sinking downwards, which could make its functionality dependent on weather conditions and therefore somewhat unreliable.
Do you have any good advice on this?
1. Pipe through the foundation slab with a mushroom vent in the garden
2. Chimney with two adjacent flues, one for exhaust gases and one for fresh air (e.g., Schiedel Xpert)
3. Chimney with concentric fresh air supply (e.g., Erutec FLAS)
Option 1 can be relatively inexpensive, but we don’t want a pipe or mushroom vent visible outdoors.
We like option 2.
Option 3 is supposed to preheat the incoming fresh air, improving combustion. On the other hand, I imagine that the warming fresh air might have difficulty sinking downwards, which could make its functionality dependent on weather conditions and therefore somewhat unreliable.
Do you have any good advice on this?
S
Sebastian7917 Jun 2016 21:03It is always an individual acceptance in that sense, but in your case, it is understandable why not.
blockhauspower schrieb:
As far as I know, the flue pipes from Schiedel are inserted directly into the cavity block.At least with the Schiedel model I received, this is exactly how it is.
BSFM was also impressed with the chimney draft. The components seem very well constructed.
Although he noted the initial installation of the air supply to the wood stove was not airtight and had to be corrected and tested, that issue is not related to the chimney draft itself.
I’m currently asking myself the same question. The general contractor installs version 3 with concentric fresh air supply from Erlus. In this case, Erlus is probably the best option since their chimney has larger external dimensions compared to competitors, allowing more space for the fresh air intake.
I’ve talked to four stove fitters so far. Two prefer the Schiedel version because they say version 3 isn’t any good. However, this is likely a general statement since they have never actually tried it and are generally biased against this type of chimney. One stove fitter said he only works with fresh air supplied from the basement. Everything else is rubbish. But since my office is under the house, that’s not an option. The last one said he is fine with all three versions. He installs many stoves with version 3 chimneys and has never had any issues. He also gave me some customer contacts whom I called, and they confirmed their positive experiences.
It might be true that version 2 performs slightly better in extreme weather conditions. However, after some research, I found a few drawbacks:
In the end, I’m torn between version 2 and 3. I will probably go with the one my preferred stove fitter recommends.
I’ve talked to four stove fitters so far. Two prefer the Schiedel version because they say version 3 isn’t any good. However, this is likely a general statement since they have never actually tried it and are generally biased against this type of chimney. One stove fitter said he only works with fresh air supplied from the basement. Everything else is rubbish. But since my office is under the house, that’s not an option. The last one said he is fine with all three versions. He installs many stoves with version 3 chimneys and has never had any issues. He also gave me some customer contacts whom I called, and they confirmed their positive experiences.
It might be true that version 2 performs slightly better in extreme weather conditions. However, after some research, I found a few drawbacks:
- Higher space requirements compared to version 3
- Slightly more expensive than version 3
- The chimney outlet and air intake should always be in the same wind pressure zone. With the solution of a chimney plus a separate air duct, this is not always guaranteed since the air duct can be in the wind shadow of the chimney flue.
- More prone to mold formation (although Schiedel apparently addresses this with better insulation)
In the end, I’m torn between version 2 and 3. I will probably go with the one my preferred stove fitter recommends.
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