Can Direct Vent Stoves Have an Elbow in the Vent?

Descriptions

• Direct venting is also called "sealed combustion" because it brings air for combustion from outside, rather than from inside your home. Many manufacturers offer stoves with direct venting, accompanied by special double-wall pipes that eliminate the need for chimneys. These vents can go straight through an exterior wall or can involve riser pipes and an elbow joint. In some cases, you may not need any elbow joints. In other cases, they may be needed in order to adhere to clearance requirements and prevent damage to the exterior.

Design

• If your stove's flue collar is on the back of the stove, you can install direct vent piping that runs horizontally straight through the wall. Keep in mind that you may still need to adhere to clearance requirements. Review the guidelines set by the manufacturer. A clearance of 18 inches from windows and doors may be required, so you may need to install an upturned elbow joint and run the piping upward for a few feet. If your flue collar is on top of the stove, you need a 90-degree elbow joint unless you send the vent through the roof.

Efficiency

• Stoves with direct venting work by drawing air from outside for combustion. The stove must be sealed for this to occur, so many direct vent stoves come with a glass door that seals the device. Fumes and byproducts are vented outside with this system, ensuring a clean and safe indoor environment. Direct venting eliminates the risk of a suffocating indoor environment, which can result when air for combustion is drawn from inside the house. Direct venting also eliminates drafts and heat loss caused by intake of household air, making the stove more efficient.

Installation

• It is essential to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines whenever you're installing a stove. A proper insulating wall thimble is usually required when passing a stove pipe through a combustible wall. If you are using an elbow joint and connecting to riser pipes to run the pipe vertically, a "T" section is necessary. The "T" joint collects creosote and debris at the base of the elbow junction. Use wall brackets and an appropriate vent cap to complete a vertical direct vent installation. Ensure your pipes are well secured and proper clearances are preserved to eliminate fire risk.