Draft Much?

JakeCK

To those who suggested it wasn't worth the coin to install an automatic vent damper this is how much my flu sucks:

Ya'll can't tell me I won't recoup the couple bucks I spent on parts and the value of my saturday afternoon installing it. I also replaced the clean out door too. Now on to replace my 14yr old hot water tank.

ChrisJ

Try it when it's 0F outside and the basement is warm and the flue is hot. If it's warm outside (40s-50s) then you haven't seen anything yet.

I know my 30' 6" B vent drafts really good but I also don't know how much it actually would cost if left wide open.

Also, fresh air is beneficial sometimes.

But, I do use an automatic damper.

Robert_25

My house has a 35' chimney up through the house with an 8"x12" flue. Even with the baro wide open it will sometimes exceed -0.05 "WC.

ChrisJ

Robert_25 said:

My house has a 35' chimney up through the house with an 8"x12" flue. Even with the baro wide open it will sometimes exceed -0.05 "WC.

If you're seeing excess draft using the next size up damper, or even multiple dampers isn't unheard of.

JakeCK

ChrisJ said:

Try it when it's 0F outside and the basement is warm and the flue is hot. If it's warm outside (40s-50s) then you haven't seen anything yet. I know my 30' 6" B vent drafts really good but I also don't know how much it actually would cost if left wide open. Also, fresh air is beneficial sometimes. But, I do use an automatic damper.

Oh I bet. I was just curious this morning since the boiler had fired not that long before. And this house is approaching a hundred years old, it gets plenty of fresh air. I just wish I could leave the basement door closed that would help tremendously, but my cats need access.

Steamhead

Better keep the cleanout closed, or the chimney will pull those cats up to the roof.

I'd love to put a draft gauge on that, just to put some numbers on it............