Expert: James Ball - 9/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: got a 6" d-wall stainless from roof top to basement.(20'+-) putting in a stove with 8" exhaust. plaining on building a box to sit on stove and cover the back. Through the back of the box a 8" 90 tapering down to 6" where it connects to the stainless. The box will be filled with water and pumped to a storage tank for hydronic house heat. To much heat loss for draw? 8 to 6 to restricting for draw? I've seen fireplaces that draw down and around through the hearth and then out, this would have one 90 a restriction and a straight shot up. Any input or advice?

ANSWER: Hello Ed, you can not down size a solid fuel smoke pipe. If you make this "water storage tank" it will remove more of the heat from the chimney causing a quicker build up of creosote and may need cleaning once a week.
If you install this any way and burn down you house your insurance company might not pay you.
If you want to do some thing like this find a stove with a 6" collar and is made for this "Hydronic heat" and install it correctly and you will be much safer.
You should also check with your local building department.
I know this is not what you where hoping to hear but I do not think this is a very safe install and I would not do it in my home.
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: would adding a draft blower make a diffrence

Answer
Welcome back Ed, no you can not down size solid fuel and you want to go down 2 collar sized (6 to 8) even if your local building department said it would be ok I would still say DO NOT DO IT)
adding a blower would pull all the heat out of the fire and up the chimney, burn through the wood Very Fast and you would not get the full effects of a wood stove that you are trying to get, get a 6" stove or and 8" class a chimney (d-wall) rated for that stove.
hope this helps
James