The Prevention of Smoke Backdraft From a Pellet Stove Vent Pipe

One Stove, One Flue

• Connect only the pellet stove to the flue or exhaust system. A pellet stove cannot vent into a central chimney used for the home furnace or water heater. Pellet stoves are commonly installed along an outside wall with the exhaust flue through the wall or roof at the stove’s site. The more direct the flue to the outside, the less chance of back drafts.

Exhaust Fan

• Some pellet stove models use an electric fan that forces fresh air into the fire chamber for combustion. The blower creates higher air pressure in the chamber, which pushes air up through the flue and out the home. If the combustion blower fails, this can create lower pressure situations that allow the exhaust gases to back draft into the home. The combustion fan is internal and should not be confused with any blowers that move the heated air around the home or room.

Check the Damper

• Dampers are the swinging doors along the side of the exhaust flue and air intake. These dampers allow the air pressure within the stovepipes to naturally adjust. If the dampers are not functioning properly, either jammed open or closed, a back draft can occur.

Flue Construction

• The exhaust flue should be as straight and short as possible. Excessive elbows and turns increase the possibility of back drafts. Keeping the flues and stove clean facilitates the exhaust smoke’s easy flow to the outdoors.