Adding a natural gas vent to a wood burning chimney?

Question

is it possible to run a natural gas vent up a chimney using something like b vent or 4 inch pipe? What i have is a wood stove using my chimney that measures somthing like 8"x12", or close to that. I want to run a 4 inch pipe up the chimney for my gas furnace to keep the flu separate. Is this ok and is it possible? Would it be better to run it somewhere else?

I still want to use the wood stove and the furnace

Answer 1

It’s correct that this won’t meet code. With that being said it won’t fly for 2 reasons, the fact that you would be creating much more surface area within the chimney area that creosote could adhere to, and the heat would be more that the b-vent could handle. The alternative would be to have both separated within the chimney provided it’s large enough. B-vent would fly for the furnace, but you would need to check with the local authority having jurisdiction regarding the venting material for the wood stove. There is a multitude of venting material out there, so again a local contractor would know the code for your area. A local HVAC contractor would also be familiar with materials accepted for use in your area.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It may be possible if it is a double chimney, one pipe for gas and one pipe for wood. You don't want to run a pipe for gas up a single chimney that is burning wood. If a leak would a occur in the gas pipe it could be disastrous. Best bet is 2 pipes or separate chimney. Just built one 3 stories high (DIY) cost about 5000.

Answer 4

You'll have to install a dedicated B-vent chimney for your gas furnace. Or, get a +90% gas furnace, which can be vented (using PVC pipe) through the rim joist. Your old furnace could then be disconnected from the masonry chimney. You failed to mention any venting of a water heater? Apparently, you have an electric W.H?

Answer 5

Gas log fireplaces have "fake" logs which absorb/radiate heat and glow, simulating wood logs. They burn natural gas which is piped into the fireplace. The advantages are that they're cleaner; no ashes to clean-up, no bringing logs into the house, no woodpile storage outside, no stray embers burning holes in your carpet or wood floors. They're easier to light; just turn on the gas valve and ignite it. Gas log fireplaces obviously don't have the aroma and crackling sound some people enjoy with a wood-burning fire. When burning a natural gas log fireplace, there is a continuous flow of gas feeding the fire, which raises your gas utility bill. Firewood is expensive too, though (especially if you buy it already split and aged and pay for delivery), so you have to weigh-out the cost of operating each type. There are also gas-fired wood burning fireplaces, where the gas supply assists in getting the fire going by adding fuel to the flame until the wood is sufficiently burning, at which point the gas valve is turned off. These types of fireplaces can be easily converted to gas log fireplaces with the installation of the log kit (a couple hundred bucks).

Answer 6

no, not if u want to run the pipe in the same flue liner and use the wood stove also.....here in nc, is against the law to vent two units into one......u would do better to find another location....plus, all venting must be done by a lic. hvac person, or u run the risk of ur insurance not covering u in case of a fire clam!( hey go back and look for permits at the local dept)

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 7

In some states, it is against the building code to run 2 different kinds of exhausts up the same chimney.

Answer 8

you still want to use the wood stove!! key point.

no absolutely not, no! pick somewhere else, anywhere else. assuming that the wood stove vents directly into a masonry type chimney, the gasses from burning wood can exceed 1000 degrees, b vent is not rated anywhere near that and would melt. don't do it. follow your local building codes in this situation, they exist to keep us safe.

Answer 9

If you were living in an old house, with a lot of different flues going up, then I would say "go for it".

But, you are aparently trying to use the SAME flue, for both wood and gas...

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!

No one will authorise that! The Gas Co. if they found out, would probably shut you off!!

Your Insurance Co. would drop you faster than an eye blink!

Your Wife and Chidren are worth MORE than any silly thing you want to do, to save a few bucks!

FORGET IT...ITS A BAD IDEA.

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 10

Yes you can use a chimney liner, but it would be very wise to talk to a professional. (I assume that you are switching to natural gas, and are not trying to use a liner in your wood stove, as that is extremely dangerous)