Air Combustion Supply for P23I

[fabfive31]

I just installed a P23I Breckwell into my fireplace. The inspector came over and said I should have a combustion air supply to make the stove more efficient. He said I should drill a hole in the side of the fireplace or run a pipe up to the top of the chimney for the combustion air supply. In my manual it says for fireplace inserts the air supply will come from the chimney top or the ash clean out door. I’m contemplating drilling a hole in the side of the masonry and connecting some flex pipe to back of the air inlet hole to the outside. Is this really necessary? My house was built in 1963, insulated fairly well, not sure if its completely air tight?

 

[rap69ri]

This has been talked about in previous posts, and the concensus seems to be that if the house isn't airtight (new) then not having the OAK should be fine. My Father has been running his Whitfield Quest insert without outside air for years, and it heats up his large first floor very well. Could it be more efficient, possibly, but it seems to run very well now.

If you have a cleanout in your fireplace leading into your garage or outside you could try that route to see if there is any improvement, but drilling through your masonry is something I would try to avoid.

 

[jacobaimhoff]

a good way to test if you need it is run your stove and if it seems to have a dirty burn or sooting up the glass pretty quick then open a window or a door and then if you see a difference in the flame then boom you need a fresh air intake.

 

[DiggerJim]

You can use Selkirk pipe for the vent - it contains both a pellet exhaust vent and an intake air pipe. Single run up the chimney makes it easier to fit.

 

[imacman]

You can use Selkirk pipe for the vent - it contains both a pellet exhaust vent and an intake air pipe. Single run up the chimney makes it easier to fit.

And an added bonus is that it acts like an air exchanger....the incoming cold air gets pre-heated by the outgoing hot exhaust. But the pipe is more $$ than the standard DuraVent.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

One option is to use the ash dump, if your fireplace has one. If you can not clean it very well use a 3" or 4" liner.

Eric

 

[shredd_guy]

Firestarter I started a similar thread and I am still a little foggy about it being a good idea. for me it seemed like a way to draw air from another room instead of the room where the insert is going. Then again I havnt installed mine yet so idont even know if it possible or a good idea. The room behind the fire place has 2 furnaces and a water heater.,

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/28628/

 

[shredd_guy]

another view point to consider
(broken link removed to http://www.woodheat.org/outdoorair/outdoorairmyth.htm)