Nowadays, there is a growing concern about the environmental impact that our daily actions have on the environment. For this reason, more and more people are looking for more environmentally friendly alternatives to heat their homes. In this sense, Ecodesign wood stoves are an excellent option. These stoves are designed to be more efficient and reduce emissions of particles and polluting gases.
However, at Panadero, as stove manufacturers, we are often asked the question: Is it mandatory to connect the outside air intake? Well… We tell you about it!
What is the outside air intake and what is its function?
The outside air intake is a duct that allows clean air to enter the stove from outside the house. This air intake is connected directly to the stove. In addition, it should be placed in a strategic position, allowing the air flow necessary for the correct operation of the appliance to enter.
The main function of the outside air intake is to ensure the efficient and safe combustion of wood. By providing fresh air to the stove from the outside, an adequate amount of oxygen for combustion is ensured. This produces a hotter flame and more complete combustion of the wood. By drawing air from outside, the creation of cold drafts in the room where the stove is located is avoided.
Another advantage is that the amount of smoke and particulates released inside the home is reduced. By providing adequate air flow, the possibility of smoke emissions in the room is minimized, improving indoor air quality. We recommend you read our post “The importance of proper home ventilation when you have a wood stove“.
Is it mandatory to connect the outside air intake on an Ecodesign wood stove?
The answer is that it is not mandatory to connect the outside air intake. However, it is highly recommended to do so. Connecting it will allow the stove to operate more efficiently and further reduce emissions of particulate and gaseous pollutants.
In addition, connecting the air intake helps prevent condensation problems and improves indoor air quality in the home.
What happens if I don’t connect the outdoor air intake on my Ecodesign wood stove?
If you do not connect the outdoor air intake, there can be several negative effects. First, there is a decrease in indoor air quality. This is because wood combustion emits smoke, gases and particles that can be harmful to your health. In addition, this can lead to the appearance of moisture on the walls and ceilings of the room, which can cause mold and condensation problems.
Another negative effect is that the stove may operate inefficiently. With not enough fresh air available for combustion, the wood burns at a lower temperature and incompletely. This increases the amount of smoke and particulate emissions and decreases the heating performance of the appliance.
What happens if I do not connect the outdoor air intake and my house is passive?
If your home is passive or energy efficient, connecting the outside air intake is mandatory. In a passive or passive-like home, emphasis is placed on using construction techniques that minimize energy losses and maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Failure to connect the outdoor air intake can compromise the indoor air quality and energy efficiency of the home.
In a passive house, the stove should be part of a heating system that is integrated into the thermal envelope of the house. By connecting the outdoor air intake, the wood stove is guaranteed to operate efficiently and safely without affecting the pressure balance and airflow inside the house.
Cases where you do not connect the outside air intake
There are certain cases where the outside air intake is not connected when installing the stove:
Firstly, in the case where you do not connect the air intake and you want to bring the rear face of the unit closer to the wall than 10 cm, you must remove the intake so as not to strangle the air intake to the unit.
Another case is in fireplaces and built-in inserts. In this case, when you have a construction site, you should provide for the placement of grilles at the top and bottom of the construction. In this way, you ensure proper air circulation inside the recess. You must take into account that the appliance must obtain sufficient oxygen to produce an efficient combustion.
In the case of inserts where the appliance is provided with upper and lower grilles, these do not fulfill the indicated function. These grilles are only used for forced ventilation.
How to connect the outdoor air intake?
Connecting the air intake is a relatively simple process, but it is important to do it correctly to ensure proper operation. How to connect the outdoor air intake on an Ecodesign wood stove will depend on the model of the stove and the configuration of the house.
- Locate the outdoor air intake on your appliance. The location may vary depending on the model.
- Determine the location of the outside air duct.
- Drill a hole in the exterior wall of the house. The outside air duct must pass through the outside wall of the house to bring fresh air into the furnace. To do this, it is necessary to make a hole that is large enough to allow the duct to pass through.
- Install the outside air duct.
- Connect the outside air duct to the appliance air intake. Once the outdoor air duct is in place, it can be connected to the outdoor air intake of the stove. Make sure the connection is tightly sealed to prevent air leakage.
- Check the air flow. Once the outdoor air intake connection is complete, check that the airflow is adequate. Light your appliance and make sure the flame is burning properly and that fresh air is entering through the outside air duct.
Note: We recommend that the installation of the air intake, as well as the general installation of the appliance, be carried out by a qualified professional. Here you can see our installation tips for PANADERO stoves.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us! We hope this post has served as a guide. Take a look at our blog and find solutions and recommendations to help you with your fireplace or wood stove.
Visit our online store for Panadero wood stoves. If you have any questions or need help choosing the right stove, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you.
Articles of interest:
- Why is it important to seal chimney pipes?
- What to put behind a wood-burning stove?
- Why is it important to insulate a chimney pipe?
- What to put under a wood stove?
- How to make a chimney cap for a fireplace?
- How to make a chimney flue
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