22
Defiant Woodburning Stove
30003841
Negative Pressure
Good draft also depends on a supply of air to the
stove; a chimney can’t pull in more air than is avail-
able to it. Sluggish draft results when a house is tight
enough to prevent the ready flow of air to the stove, or
by competition between the stove and other equipment
that sends indoor air outside - especially power-driven
equipment like range hoods, clothes dryers, etc. If the
chimney draws well with all other equipment turned
off (or sealed, in the case of fireplaces and/or other
stoves), then you simply need to be careful with timing
the use of the other gear. If you need to crack a nearby
window or door to enable the chimney to pull well, that’s
a sign that you should install an outside-air intake to
bring combustion air directly to the stove. An outside air
adapter will attach to the stove to connect an air duct
for outdoor combustion air.
In many cases, local or national codes require the
installation of permanently open air vents, particularly
with larger appliances (i.e.. above 5 kW). Refer to these
codes to determine specific requirements for your
installation.
Conclusion
Wood-burning is an art rather than a science. Once the
stove and chimney system are in place, you can only
vary your technique, mostly your timing, to achieve
good results. If you keep track of your burning habits
and relate them to their effects on the stove’s operation,
you’ll be rewarded with good performance and a safe
system.
