Minimum Chimney Height; The Relationship Between The Chimney And The House; Why Inside Chimneys Are Preferred - Enerzone Solution 1.6 AGENCY PHASE II CERTIFIED WOOD Installation And Operation Manual

8.3 Minimum Chimney Height

The top of the chimney should be tall
enough to be above the air
turbulence caused when wind blows
against the house and its roof. The
chimney must extend at least 1 m (3
ft.) above the highest point of contact
with the roof, and at least 60 cm (2
ft.) higher than any roof line or
obstacle within a horizontal distance
of 3 m (10 ft.).

8.4 The Relationship Between the Chimney and the House

Because the venting system is the engine that drives the wood heating system, it must have the
right characteristics. The signs of bad system design are cold backdrafting when there is no fire in
the stove, slow kindling of new fires, and smoke roll-out when the door is opened for loading. There
are two guidelines to follow. First, the chimney should be installed up through the heated space of
the house, not out and up an outside wall. Second, the chimney should penetrate the top of the
building at or near the highest heated space.

8.4.1 Why inside chimneys are preferred

Venting systems that rise straight up from the stove flue collar provide the best performance.
Chimneys that rise inside the warm space of the house tend to provide a small amount of draft
even when there is no fire burning. This means that when you light a fire, the initial smoke goes up
the chimney and strong draft builds quickly as the chimney flue warms up. Although they are
common in North America, chimneys that exit a house wall and run up outside can cause
problems.
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Solution 1.6 Installation and Operation Manual