Replies

1. 
   nynick | Sep 11, 2023 08:04am | #1

   Not the best solution, but I'm going to have an operable chimney cap installed on my existing chimney.

2. 
   Tim_O | Sep 11, 2023 08:16am | #2

   Are you looking for a more traditional fireplace or something like a woodstove? I was eyeing the Stuv models, they have a direct air intake and fairly high efficiency burning. But not over the 75% requirement for biomass tax credit I believe. We ended up conceding that we don't have the budget for a $7000 woodstove that we may or may not use.

   I do think they have fireplace inserts as well. They list their installation accessories as airtight.

1. 
   rlittell | Sep 12, 2023 05:56am | #6

   Thanks Tim, We are leading towards a Stuv. I found another model that has a tighter sealing box more like a wood stove than the guillotine style of Stuv, but the required non-combustible clearances were prohibitive. Was hoping that there was cheaper option someone might have come across or a dampening option

3. 
   orange_cat | Sep 11, 2023 09:56am | #3

   Woodstoves - like Stuv - might work?
   https://cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/woodstove/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.search

   (There are cheaper look-alike to Stuv - eg. Morso 6140, Nectre (n65?) with similar performance).
   This can be sorted by BTU and efficiency.
   https://cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/woodstove/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.search
   https://cfpub.epa.gov/oarweb/woodstove/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.search

1. 
   rlittell | Sep 12, 2023 05:57am | #7

   thanks!

4. 
   Malcolm_Taylor | Sep 11, 2023 11:19am | #4

   rlittell,

   If you are only using it occasionally, and it is completely inside the conditioned area of the house, the efficiency of the unit doesn't matter. All you are concerned about is stopping air-leakage where it penetrates the building envelope - that is the combustion air intake, and chimney.

1. Expert Member
   DCcontrarian | Sep 11, 2023 06:08pm | #5

   I would say burning wood in a PGH introduces a particular set of challenges:
   1. Making sure it doesn't leak when not in use.
   2. Making sure it can get enough combustion air.
   3. Making sure there's no negative pressure to keep combustion products from going up the chimney.
   4. Making sure you don't overheat.

   The last one is a big one. It's hard to burn wood on a low setting. When you have a house that can be heated with a hair dryer on a chilly fall day when a fire might be appealing, it's hard to keep that fire from overheating the house.

1. 
   rlittell | Sep 12, 2023 06:00am | #9

   I think I have 2 and 3 covered. 1 and 4 are my biggest concern. no point in having a fire if you have to have every window in the house open in the winter!

2. 
   rlittell | Sep 12, 2023 05:59am | #8

   agreed. I'm leaning towards more of a stove door for the gasketing.