So I have read all the posts about what to do and what not to do and realize that what I am asking is against “THE CODE”, but I am curious as to why you can’t do this?
The question then is this: Why can’t I hook a wood stove into the same flue as my oil heater? The chimney is clay tile? lined and the F.A. oil heater is in my basement with pipe running into the chimney about 4 feet away. This wood stove isn’t to heat the whole house, only to warm the basement when I am working down there on projects, etc. I can get a used wood stove for $150 or so and all the scrap pallet lumber I want from work. Why can’t I tee or wye off my heater flue pipe for the wood stove? It would only be ran when I am home and working down there, so it wouldn’t be unattended or left running overnight, etc. I just don’t see the danger in it. Am I setting myself up to be in the running for the next round of Darwin awards?
Thanks for any insight you can provide. Please don’t sight my homeowners insurance or a building inspector as a valid reason not to do something, I am looking for any real threats to my family’s safety and well being, not from the man trying to keep me down, lol…
Replies
Why not just simply ask your Home insurance agent. If he says you would not be covered if you do this, and you do it, would you not be putting your family safety and well being at risk?
If the agent says ,'yes it's ok, your fully covered", then your at least going to be covered in case of an "accident.
And imo, if an inspector or insurance agent said NOT to do it, I think that WOULD be enough valid reason NOT to do itin order to safegaurd you and yours.
There could many replys coming in to you that say 'go ahead, it's ok, but there is still the chance you are not 'covered'
Think about it.
I did "think about it" and am wondering what the real world physical dangers are, not if my insurance agent approves! Do you ask your health insurance provider if it is OK if you smoke pot, Doobie? Quit toking long enough so you can sober up and give me an intelligent thought out answer, not "ask your insurance agent". That is exactly what I asked people not to respond with. What if they say go for it and I poison my family with carbon monoxide while I am in the basement working? I guess I could live with it since the insurance agent said it would be OK...
I guess what your looking for is a what could happen, so, the creosote from the wood stove will plug up the chimney enough to restrict the passage of oil burner gasses and wood stove gasses when both are operating at the same time. The flue gasses would then be blown out of the woodstove and into the house along with hot embers from the fire in the stove. The result of this type of thing happening are todays code requirements. So, while it may be tempting to do it any way, its not worth it. By the way I have seen this same scenario several times in my 20 year career as a fireman. Most other firefighters on this forum have probably also seen it too.
It is tempting but the info you provided is what I was after. Ok, I won't be a cheap SOB and I will do it right. Thanks.
Actually, I don't smoke at all.
and I would think that before posting a critical question such as .... 'can I do this"... most SANE persons would first consult their insurance agent, or at the very least an Heating tech in the immediate area rather than assuming advice given from complte strangers is correct.
Have an aphyxiating day now, ya hear
As far As I know , no insurance company in Canad will allow it as it is against codes.
The back drafts can give the CO a different path to follow rather than out your chimney.