If an air intake is installed through the wall of the house, its pressure can vary during windy
weather. If there are changes in wood stove performance in windy weather, and in particular if
smoke puffs from the stove, the air duct should be disconnected from the stove to determine if
it is the cause of the problem. In some windy conditions, negative pressure at the duct weather
hood outside the house wall may draw hot exhaust gases from the stove backwards through the
duct to outdoors. Check the outdoor air duct for soot deposits when the full system is cleaned
and inspected at least once each year.
9.6
Installing the Chimney Connector
The chimney connector is the single or double wall pipe installed between the stove flue collar
and the chimney breech. Single wall pipe components are available from most hardware and
building supply stores. These components are not usually tested to a particular standard and
certified as compliant. Therefore, a list of rules found in solid fuel installation codes apply to the
installation of a single wall pipe.
Double wall chimney connectors are tested and certified. The rules for double wall pipe are
found in the manufacturer's installation instructions. These rules will be very different than those
for single wall.
9.6.1
Installation of Single Wall Chimney Connector
The chimney connector assembly has been called 'the weak link' in the safety of wood heating
systems because failure to install the connector properly (which has been common in the past)
can result in house fires.
The best flue pipe assembly is one that rises straight up from the stove to the base of the
chimney with no elbows. Straight assemblies are less likely to cause problems like smoke roll-
out when the door is opened for loading. They are also more stable and easier to maintain than
assemblies with elbows. Horizontal runs of flue pipe should be avoided where possible because
they reduce chimney draft.
Figure 22: Best
Figure 23: Acceptable
Figure 24: Avoid
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Installation and Operation Manual - Escape 1500