To insulate or not insulate, that is the question

[feralmind]

I’m looking to install a Jotul 602 using my old coal burning fireplace flue. It’s on an interior wall and I live in Chattanooga where we don’t have really cold winters. The salesman where I’m looking to buy it says I really don’t need to insulate my liner. Almost everything I read on line suggests otherwise. I want to do this right. I need some advice.

 

[bholler]

Always insulate

 

[Todd]

Insulating will give you the best performance and safety.

 

[Woody Stover]

Most chimneys don't meet code without the liner being insulated. I think an exterior chimney needs 1" clearance to combustibles. If you don't have that, CYA and insulate.

 

[EbS-P]

Do you have room for insulation? What are the ID flue measurements and what size liner?

Always insulate. Break out a clay liner if you have too.

 

[feralmind]

Most chimneys don't meet code without the liner being insulated. I think an exterior chimney needs 1" clearance to combustibles. If you don't have that, CYA and insulate.

That’s my thought too, thanks.

 

[feralmind]

Do you have room for insulation? What are the ID flue measurements and what size liner?

Always insulate. Break out a clay liner if you have too.

I’ve got an old coal burning fireplace. The flue above the smoke shelf is pretty big, maybe 8 x8, the constriction is the shelf which I think cut with a grinder with masonry wheel on it. I’m going to tackle it tomorrow. The thing that gets me is that the store I’m buying the stove from and their installer tell me it’s not needed in my case. But everything I see on the internet says I do. Thanks for the reply.

 

[stoveliker]

Even chimney sweeps or fireplace stores don't always know what's required or what's best...

Yes, grinding away the damper and then putting an insulated liner in is best (and in most cases required).

 

[Woody Stover]

The thing that gets me is that the store I’m buying the stove from and their installer tell me it’s not needed in my case.

They say that to keep the cost down for the buyer and increase sales, but if your insurance doesn't pay because it wasn't installed to code, your cost goes way up. And you can't put a price on the safety of your family.
Best to "do it right," as you say.

 

[EbS-P]

Getting insulated 6” liner down 8x8 might be tricky that does not give a lot of extra space.

 

[feralmind]

Even chimney sweeps or fireplace stores don't always know what's required or what's best...

Yes, grinding away the damper and then putting an insulated liner in is best (and in most cases required).

I agree. Mine doesn’t have a damper but a smoke shelf. But it’s the same problem. I’m taking a break from doing it right now.

Getting insulated 6” liner down 8x8 might be tricky that does not give a lot of extra space.

it might be a little bigger than that. I can’t reach it from inside the fire box and I haven’t been on the roof yet. But I can see blue sky and a straight shot when I look up.

 

[EbS-P]

As you are taking a break plan ahead for the block off plate.

 

[feralmind]

As you are taking a break plan ahead for the block off plate.

I was thinking of stuffing Roxul around the liner the just make one out of sheet metal. Sound good? I got a feeling I’m going to wind up doing a better job than the one I was going to pay for thanks to all the folks on this site.😁

 

[stoveliker]

Yes. I would close the surrounding space where the liner enters the flue. If you have enough spacey, add one layer of insulation on the sheet metal.
Also, silicone the seams of /surrounding the metal to prevent airflow (as roxul won't do that).

 

[EbS-P]

I was thinking of stuffing Roxul around the liner the just make one out of sheet metal. Sound good? I got a feeling I’m going to wind up doing a better job than the one I was going to pay for thanks to all the folks on this site.😁

Sounds like a good plan!