Another Oak Thread...

Always a subject with many opinions. I just wanted to add some observations.
Historically I had run a sort of partial oak. That is, I would have the OAK hose just end near the intake of the stove. This started because I would get condensation, frost on the intake when I first got my stove. Well this year I decided to completely hook uobthe OAK and see if anything changes. The recent temp drops have been a good test and I can say it makes a significant difference for me in how well my house keeps warm.
It is fifiteen degrees out and my stove has not come off of low. Still 70 degrees in my living room which is the target. This would not be the case if I had it set up the way I have the last three winters.

 

Also, I am not sure if this sounds crazy, But my crawl space basement is also significantly warmer. Normally with these temps i would be dangerously close to freezing down there. Probably around 33-34. But look at this pic, a balmy 40.

 

Yep.If oak not sealed to and inside stove many conditions can bring excess cold air in house,bath fan,wind,etc.Which is why do not have one on my integra,no solid connection inside stove,was ment to use some inside air(but an old design) and some new stoves(usually cheaper) are still made this way.With the accentra,about 7 ft metal oak,will form ice on tubing when below 0.Also subzero air has to be heated more to release the oxygen.I unhook it when subzero but do notice more drafts,but burn less.

 

Got a ham radio friend north of me,new hi insulated stagered wall 1100 sq ft off grid cabin,new kuma wood burner,no oak.Stove installer said was not ness?He was having burn problems,called me one night on radio,asked him if he was feeling a little run down lately(yes),asked what flame looked like,told him to open a window a crack-wow flame about jumped out of stove.Guess what he is going to put in!

 

Is it standard to unhook your OAK when the outside temp drops below a certain point? Meaning is this a well understood thing that folks do across the board, or is it something unique to each person's particular setup? How do you know exactly when it's time to unhook it?

 

I don't know why some people do or do not. I think most probably leave it, I am in that camp now too. Some may not like how the OAK frosts on the outside, others believe it burns a little worse when the air is so cold. Ash cakes. There is one type of oak that uses the hear from exhaust that would eliminate this I believe. Hopefully others chime in.

 

If you unhook your OAK, all the air being exhausted by the stove has to be made up "somewhere" because the stove is creating negative pressure in your house. The "somewhere" is outside of your house, where it's frigid cold. You may never have had a draft, now you will. Open a door and you'll get knocked over by the cold air rushing in. So unhook it if you like for whatever reason, I'm leaving mine in.

 

Other than a little frost occasionally, there is no negative to installing one that I can think of. I don't understand using the air in the house (that a person paid to heat), to use for burning and sending it up the exhaust. And the "bullchit" about the air being cold somehow making the stove colder......tell that to someone in racing. They'll take all the cold air for combustion they can get.
Colder air = denser air = more O2

 

I have a drip pan under mine. Frosted pretty good right now.

 

Can't imagine why....it's ONLY 3 degrees there.

 

Yeah but it's 70 degrees warmer inside. Have I mentioned that I really like Blazers?

 

That's hotter than it got here.

 

Lucky you. Please keep it.

 

It would be nice if it stuck around till Sunday for the football game!