Hi! I was hoping to get some advice. I just had a heat pump installed and it can't keep up. When researching heat loss, I found that B vent gas inserts like my Pegasus 8003 propane insert are often a significant source of a homes heat loss when not in use, possibly being responsible for 20 to 40 percent of a homes loss, which seemed high. We love our insert but usually now just use to supplement. However if it really is that much heat loss when not in use, I'll have to figure out how to block it, not sure of I can add a plug or what to do. Would like to be able to use it but also have way to stop heat loss. Any advice if there is really that much heat loss or how to block? Thank you!!
How much heat loss from B vent propane insert when off
- Thread starter Jennpropane
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You have the compound problem of an inefficient gas appliance installed in an inefficient chimney. There is no approved way to add a damper to the insert unless it is approved by the manufacturer.
Even if there was a way to add a damper, you will still be dealing with the heat loss that is going into the fireplace opening(the existing masonry that the insert sits in) and up the chimney.
Thank you for your reply. It is disappointing that a damper can't be added. I'm exploring possibly adding a chimney plug and then removing it when we want to use it? Would this be doable? I had a service technician come out but he said he didn't know.
I guess anything is doable. Whether or not it should be done is up to you. I would never advise anything that was not approved by the manufacturer.
Have located where the combustion enters the firebox? That’s where you need to block the natural draft.
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