I have a few questions related to installing an RMH in my basement, utilizing an existing chimney:
Local codes required the chimney be relined prior to re-use, and the standard liner material is flexible stainless flue liner). The Chimney is approximately 40' tall (basement plus 3 floors). It seems from other comments that I will need to keep the flue gas hotter (+- 200 degrees farenheit) to prevent condensation, overcome the friction caused by the rough interior surface of the flexible flue liner, and assure a proper draw. Will this keep the condensation outdoors altogether?
The way to keep the exhaust gas hotter appears to be a shorter run of heat duct in the thermal mass. I was thinking maybe to have the RMH away from the chimney and having one straight shot exhaust flue thought the thermal mass instead of the out-and-back designs that transfer more heat.
I was planning on building a fire brick heat riser in a 55 gallon drum, do I need to insulate the firebrick riser? Will the square heat riser in the round drum screw up the internal air flow because of "pinch points" at each of the four corners?
Will "rising damp" from the basement slab be a problem with the cob construction? It is an old house and has no underslab vapor barrier.
Thoughts?
Advice?
Thanks
Glen
