Replace wood burning stove with direct vent gas fireplace
#1
08-19-08, 10:26 AM
Replace wood burning stove with direct vent gas fireplace
As the title says I'd like to replace my wood burning stove with a gas fireplace, preferably direct vent for efficiency. The wood stove is currently vented into a pipe that leads into a masonry chimney stack. This is downstairs. In the floor above is a wood burning fireplace that also vents into the same chimney stack. I don't know if I have my terminology correct. I'll refer to the chimney as the masonry, and the vents or flue as the piping carrying the fuel exhaust within the chimney. I can see that both existing fireplaces go into separate vents and at the top of the chimney terminate as separate flues. Can I assume that unless further research shows otherwise that these are to be considered separate "venting systems"?
I believe there ways to take an existing flue and separate into the inlet and exhaust for a direct vent fireplace by way of flexible flue liners. Could I possibly do this with the current flue servicing my wood burning stove. Would it be ok if it terminates about 2 feet horizontally from where the wood fireplace terminates (within the same chimney stack)?
I'm looking at the online installation guide for a gas fireplace from Home Depot. It says "WARNING: This gas fireplace and vent assembly must be vented directly to the outside. The venting system must NEVER be attached to a chimney serving a separate solid fuel burning appliance. Each direct-vent gas appliance must use a separate vent system. Do not use common vent systems."
From what I've described, do I have a separate vent system meeting the manufacturers requirement? Can I possibly use the existing flue combined with new liners for inlet and exhaust to service a direct vent gas fireplace? Does the fact that there is a separate flue for the upstairs wood fireplace constitute a separate "vent system" for this purpose?
My plan is to hire out some of the work (gas, chimney sweep to evaluate chimney), but right now I'm in the planning phase to figure out what can and can't work. If what I'm describing is a no go, what other options do I have?
I believe there ways to take an existing flue and separate into the inlet and exhaust for a direct vent fireplace by way of flexible flue liners. Could I possibly do this with the current flue servicing my wood burning stove. Would it be ok if it terminates about 2 feet horizontally from where the wood fireplace terminates (within the same chimney stack)?
I'm looking at the online installation guide for a gas fireplace from Home Depot. It says "WARNING: This gas fireplace and vent assembly must be vented directly to the outside. The venting system must NEVER be attached to a chimney serving a separate solid fuel burning appliance. Each direct-vent gas appliance must use a separate vent system. Do not use common vent systems."
From what I've described, do I have a separate vent system meeting the manufacturers requirement? Can I possibly use the existing flue combined with new liners for inlet and exhaust to service a direct vent gas fireplace? Does the fact that there is a separate flue for the upstairs wood fireplace constitute a separate "vent system" for this purpose?
My plan is to hire out some of the work (gas, chimney sweep to evaluate chimney), but right now I'm in the planning phase to figure out what can and can't work. If what I'm describing is a no go, what other options do I have?
#2
09-25-08, 10:26 AM
As a follow-up to my original post...
I've been looking at a different model from Empire Comfort Systems. It uses a 4 x 6 5/8 direct vent pipe. The manufacturer recommends using Simpson Duravent GS vent systems, among others. That line includes a masonry or chimney conversion kit. I talked to Empire tech support and they haven't tested the masonry conversion kit so can't vouch for it, but I'm thinking of going forward with this. Any concerns? I'll report back what I do.
I've been looking at a different model from Empire Comfort Systems. It uses a 4 x 6 5/8 direct vent pipe. The manufacturer recommends using Simpson Duravent GS vent systems, among others. That line includes a masonry or chimney conversion kit. I talked to Empire tech support and they haven't tested the masonry conversion kit so can't vouch for it, but I'm thinking of going forward with this. Any concerns? I'll report back what I do.
