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Flue Draught on a Wood Burner Chimney: Why it Matters

Signs of Poor flue draught 
  • Difficulty starting the fire or keeping it going
  • Smoke entering the room when the stove door is opened
  • Slow burn rate
  • Excessive creosote buildup in the chimney
  • Strong odors or fumes in the room
  • Soot or ash buildup in the stove or chimney
Signs of Excessive flue draught
  • Short burn times or frequent reloading needed
  • Difficulty controlling the stove temperature, with the stove running too hot
  • Drafts or whistling noises from the stove or chimney
  • Excessive air flow through the stove causing increased fuel consumption
  • Reduced efficiency and heat output due to excessive draft
  • Possibility of damaging the stove or chimney due to high temperatures caused by excessive draft.

 

What is flue draught?

 Example of flue system

 

The flue draught is the force that moves the smoke and gases up the chimney and out of your home. It's important to have good flue draught to ensure that your stove is burning efficiently and safely.

Importance of flue draught reading on Commission

Flue draught reading

When commissioning a new wood burning stove, it's essential to take a flue draught reading. This reading will give you an indication of how well the flue is working, and whether there are any issues that need to be addressed. A good flue draught will help to ensure that the stove is burning efficiently and producing heat efficiently. It will also help to prevent problems like chimney fires, which can be caused by a build-up of creosote in the chimney.

Always check the manufacturer installation manual on the recommended flue draught level - for example min 10pa, nominal 12pa, max 20pa.

What effects flue draught?

There are a few things that can impact flue draught, including the height of the chimney, the design of the chimney, and the type of stove you have. For example, if your chimney is too short, it may not create enough draught to move the smoke and gases up and out of your home. If your chimney is too wide, it may also impact the flue draught, as the smoke and gases may not be able to move quickly enough up the chimney.

Always check the manufacturer installation manual on the recommended flue sizes and heights

Building regulation on chimneys

To ensure that you have good flue draught, it's important to get your chimney swept regularly. This will help to remove any build-up of creosote and other debris that can impact the flue draught. It's also important to make sure that the chimney is free from any obstructions, such as bird nests or debris from the roof.

Flue draught is an important aspect of having a wood burning stove in your home. It's essential to take a flue draught reading when commissioning a new stove, and to keep the chimney swept and free from any obstructions. By taking these steps, you can help to ensure that your stove is burning efficiently and safely, and that you're getting the most out of your investment.