Exhaust into chimney question

[garthvader]

Hello this is my first post here have been reading a lot on the subject of this thread but haven't found anything that answers this situation. so I want to exhaust my room into my chimney which is located nearby my room (in the basement) and I would prefer doing that much over cutting holes in my hardwood floors to vent out roof. so the question is that the chimney has the hot water heater hooked up but the flue of the water heater runs into the chimney and is connected to a flexible duct that runs all the way to the top and is hooked to the cap would venting my grow into the rest of the chimney separate from the flexi vent have any potential for the water heater to backdraft into the house. I definitely do not want any co backing into my home. I would have to get a double cap for the top.

if it is safe can I run the grow strait into the chimney or should I run a second flexi duct up to the top any responses would be much appreciated

 

[Granger2]

I can't address CO/safety issue, but for both, don't use flex duct. Use straight metal flue pipe. Less resistance, smoother air flow. Cheaper too. Good luck. -granger

 

[MicroRoy]

Yes that is a Possibility. Especially if you're forcing air into the event.If you force enough air to that system it may blow your pilot light out.

 

[HipsterDoofus]

You are fine because the water heater flue exhausts out the top of the chimney. Be absolutely sure that nothing else vents to the chimney and that the chimney does not leak. Ideally you would also run a dedicated flue to the top. Chances are good the chimney leaks into the home and the odor will too. Run a second flexi to the top and be sure be safe no smell in the house.

 

[MrBungle]

check your flue at the collection chamber, at the top of your HWT with a match while everything is running, the flame should go up towards the chimney.. if not you have problems... the fact that your HWT flue is isolated to a chimney liner, makes it less dangerous provided theres no holes in your liner.. even with holes in the liner chances are low that air from your grow exhaust will blow past that down into your HWT...

errr I just re-read

can air get past the liner that is connected to the cap?

 

[Fly by Night]

I'd still filter it. Once blew unfiltered out the shit pipe, could smell her down the block whew

 

[Jhhnn]

Brick chimney with a flue liner for the water heater, right? No other gas fired devices venting into that chimney?

If the flue liner has good integrity then venting thru the space around the liner should work fine with another vent cap installed in the metal chimney cap at the top.

Might be smart or necessary to measure the chimney top first & have a new cap fabbed at a sheet metal shop. Corrugated stainless steel liners often hang from the cap, so be careful not to lose the pipe down the chimney if you disconnect it.

 

[garthvader]

You are fine because the water heater flue exhausts out the top of the chimney. Be absolutely sure that nothing else vents to the chimney and that the chimney does not leak. Ideally you would also run a dedicated flue to the top. Chances are good the chimney leaks into the home and the odor will too. Run a second flexi to the top and be sure be safe no smell in the house.

im going to be scrubbing the air first so should I still be worried about leaks im sure there are some because the house is pretty old

 

[garthvader]

check your flue at the collection chamber, at the top of your HWT with a match while everything is running, the flame should go up towards the chimney.. if not you have problems... the fact that your HWT flue is isolated to a chimney liner, makes it less dangerous provided theres no holes in your liner.. even with holes in the liner chances are low that air from your grow exhaust will blow past that down into your HWT...

errr I just re-read

can air get past the liner that is connected to the cap?

I already did the match test and everything was good on that front, and shouldn't have any holes in the liner its a very sturdy metal flexi vent not like the ones used in grows
if I hooked it up as is air wouldn't be able to get past cap but that's why I plan to get a double cap or rig it up in some fashion to let the grow room air escape

 

[Granger2]

FYI-CO is odorless. -granger

 

[Jhhnn]

FYI-CO is odorless. -granger

Yep. Battery powered CO detectors are cheap. CO is heavier than air so don't put them up near the ceiling like smoke detectors.

Everybody should have them.

 

[snuggles]

filter and be alert about dampness that might build up in the chimney, which would be a safety issue.

good vibes

 

[WV Rastafari]

The reason they put a liner in the chimney is to prevent water vapor from condensing in the flue from the water heater exhaust.

If the grow vent air has a lot of moisture in it it could possibly damage the masonry.
But if it is running 24/7 and has plenty of airflow in proportion to moisture, it probably won't be a problem.

The water heater doesn't run all the time so would blow warm moist air into a cold chimney and then you have condensation.

 

[GratefulOne]

The hot water heater's vent is likely sized to only handle the water heater's air flow. Adding a high volume of air into the vent could upset the water heater's ability to vent properly.

Proper sizing of ducts is super important for system performance. Measure and size everything.

 

[The Revolution]

I would run seperate vent pipe if there's room for it to run along side the HWT vent. If you have the tools and can get some sheet metal you can bend out a custom cap for pretty cheap. I used to work on chimneys (sweeping, liners, and repairs). IF we had the time we'd bend our own custom chimney caps to finish a liner job. They came out really clean, and looked nice. Good luck. Be careful, I would second the suggestion of CO detector. Could save yours or your family's lives.

 

[trichrider]

hot air rises.
that is all.

 

[ChaosCatalunya]

Yep. Battery powered CO detectors are cheap. CO is heavier than air so don't put them up near the ceiling like smoke detectors.

Everybody should have them.

THIS ^^^^^

Get a few CO detectors and keep them around the place if in any doubt whatsoever, it saves the expensive and messy business of disposing of too many corpses.