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Over 25 years
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All Seasons Chimney Truck

1083 Little Britain Rd
New Windsor, NY 12553

CALL US NOW 845-567-1217

Company Blog

Why Wood-Burning Stoves Need to Be Professionally Installed

Want to save money on your heating bills this winter? Convert your traditional fireplace into an efficient heating appliance with a wood-burning stove. Many people think that they need to switch fuel types to gas to heat more efficiently, but newer technology allows stove manufacturers to create wood-burning units that are even approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, problems can quickly arise to the point of hazardous situations if the stove has not been installed by professional fireplace and chimney technicians, like our staff at All Seasons Chimney. We would like to tell you more about why wood-burning stoves need to be professionally installed to guarantee proper and safe operation.

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Why exactly is professional installation so important for wood-burning stoves?

The main installation issue that occurs when installing a new stove into a masonry fireplace deals with the difference between the sizes of the chimney’s flue and the stove’s vent. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), wood stoves operate at their safest and most efficient when attached to a chimney whose flue size most closely matches the size of the vent pipe that connects the stove to the chimney. The chimney professionals at All Seasons Chimney can ensure this by installing a stainless steel liner from the top of the stove to the top of the chimney.

Are there building codes concerning wood-burning stove installation?

Yes, since 1984, national building codes and standards have required that the connector vent pipe extend from its outlet on the stove, up through the fireplace damper, and to the first flue tile of a masonry chimney. Today, it is recommended to install a stainless steel liner that extends the length of the chimney, from the stove to the top of the chimney.

What kind of problems arise when the flue is not the right size for the stove?

Most often, the flue of a masonry chimney will be much larger than the wood-burning stove. This causes cooler temperatures in the upper walls of the chimney, which sets up the perfect environment for the rapid production of creosote. Occurring naturally as part of the process of burning wood, creosote is highly hazardous and flammable. It can accumulate into dangerously large deposits when the upper walls of the chimney are cool. Cooler chimney walls means more condensation, which means more creosote. This increase in moisture can also leak into the bricks and mortar of the chimney where it can cause expensive damage. A stainless steel liner not only reduces the amount of creosote, but it can also prolong the life of your chimney by protecting it from heat deterioration and corrosion.

You can save a lot of money with a new wood-burning stove, but to save this money, you need to have it professionally installed. Contact us at All Seasons Chimney to learn how we can help you heat your home more efficiently this winter.

Why Your Oil or Gas Heating Appliance Needs a High-Performance Chimney Liner

A chimney liner is one of the most important components of your fireplace and chimney system because of its functions. A high-performance chimney liner will protect your home from extremely high temperatures igniting a fire within your woodwork, protect your masonry chimney from the toxic byproducts of combustion, and provide a correctly-sized flue to your heating appliance to improve the draft. Particularly if you have an oil or gas heating appliance, you need a durable stainless steel chimney liner due to the acidic properties of the combustion gases. Many times All Seasons Chimney will see problems with cracks and gaps in older clay tile flue liners when we inspect chimneys of oil and gas heating appliances. These cracks and gaps can be hazardous as they can allow poisonous gases like carbon monoxide to enter your home. We have also seen problems with the flue sizes being too large for these types of appliances. We would like to tell you more about why your oil or gas heating appliance needs a high-performance chimney liner by sharing with you some information from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

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Why is the flue size such an issue for oil and gas heating appliances?

The newer oil and gas heating appliances require smaller flue sizes than the older units did. Typically, there will be about a 60% reduction in the flue size. Additionally, these newer appliances have lower flue gas temperatures, and this can add to the problem of the flue being too large for the appliance. Draft can be drastically reduced because the cooler the gases become, the slower they move up the flue. This can cause your oil and gas heating appliance to work ineffectively and to use more fuel to provide sufficient heat. Flue gases remaining inside the flue for too long can also be hazardous as it increases the risk for leaks. Another major problem that can occur with an improperly-sized flue is the condensation of water vapor. The moisture that results can be absorbed into the chimney and transferred through the walls of your home. This can cause your paint and wallpaper to peel. Even worse, the masonry materials of your chimney can be severely damaged during the freeze/thaw cycles of winter, and you can have spalled bricks, eroded mortar joints, and water leaks at the bottom of your chimney.

How can All Seasons Chimney solve this flue sizing problem?

The best way we can solve this issue is to retrofit your chimney with a properly sized and installed UL Listed stainless steel chimney lining system. This will help your draft by keeping the flue gases from expanding and cooling more than they should. Condensation within the venting system will also be reduced with a properly sized high-performance chimney liner. We will guarantee that your liner system is watertight so that any condensation that should form will remain contained within the liner to avoid further damage to the masonry from the freeze/thaw cycles and corrosion from the extremely acidic condensate.

To improve the performance of your oil or gas heating appliance and prolong the life of your chimney, contact All Seasons Chimney to learn more about our chimney liner installation services. Our CSIA-certified technicians will evaluate, size, recommend, and install the appropriate chimney liner for your heating appliance.