Venting Gas-burning fireplace & stove
HI,
We’re considering putting a set of gas logs in our seldom used fireplace. We also want to put a gas-burning stove in the small sunporch that’s located on the other side of the fireplace chimney. The chimney has two flues — one that vents the nautural gas boiler and the water heater, the other vents the fireplace. The stove would be a direct vent. The windows on the sunporch are quite close to the floor (about 20″) so we can’t vent out the wall without loosing a window.
The first place we went to look tells us that they can vent the gas logs and stove through the chimney. The second tells us that’s simply impossible — one appliance per flue is the limit. They’ll have to punch a hole in the roof and stick the vent pipe up through there. The third place tells us (because now we’re asking more specific questions) they can vent both to the same flue as long as the stove pipe enters the chimney at a higher level.
So, who should be believed here?
Thanks,
dc
Replies
bump -- maybe more people read on Fridays?
1. You can't mix gas and woodburners on any one flue.
Ever!
2. The number of gas appliances that can be vented through one flue depends on the btu output of the appliances and the characteristics (size, height, location) of the chimney flue.
3. Technically you aren't supposed to vent from appliances on 2 levels into one flue.
4. And, you have to follow the manufacturer's instructions. In at least some cases, a "direct vent" appliance may not be vented through a masonry chimney. The temps of its flue gases may be too low to create sufficient draft.
5. In my opinion, your 2 sources so far have both come up short of understanding what they are doing.
Look for a chimney sweep company which also sells appliances - you'll increase the chances of getting someone knowledgeable.
Bob,
Thanks for the reply. The information is quite helpful.
dc