Download the manual - Drolet

Columbia Installation and Operation Manual8.4 The Relationship Between the Chimney and the HouseBecause the venting system is the engine that drives the wood heating system, it musthave the right characteristics. The signs of bad system design are cold backdrafting whenthere is no fire in the stove, slow kindling of new fires, and smoke roll-out when the door isopened for loading. There are two guidelines to follow. First, the chimney should beinstalled 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 heatedspace.8.4.1 Why inside chimneys are preferredVenting systems that rise straight up from the stove flue collar provide the bestperformance. Chimneys that rise inside the warm space of the house tend to provide asmall amount of draft even when there is no fire burning. This means that when you light afire, the initial smoke goes up the chimney and strong draft builds quickly as the chimneyflue warms up. Although they are common in North America, chimneys that exit a housewall and run up outside can cause problems.Good System DesignInside chimneys are preferred because evenwhen no fire is burning, there is normallyupward flow in the system.Inferior System DesignOutside chimneys are a problembecause when no fire burns they will gointo cold backdraft if the stove isinstalled low in the house.38