Expert: James Ball - 1/14/2009

Question
Our stove downdrafts due to wind coming from a particular direction.  We get wind up to 125 mph but it is not problematic except when coming from the south when it is usually much slower (<40mph).  The chimney extends about 8' above the roof line.  We installed a vacu-stack cap, but we still get directional downdrafting.  I'm looking at installing the exhausto fan cap abut I'm unsure if it will be appropriate for this sort of application.  Is there anything you can tell me about your experience with these sorts of problems or with the exhausto fan cap?

Answer
Hello John, it sounds like you have a problem only from the south, so maybe you could find out what is there and alter it? a tree? trim it? a roof line maybe add something to it to deflect the wind? by adding something to break up the wind direction you should not have any more problems
exhaustos are more for negative pressure, may still work but natural is best.
James