Do I Need a Chimney for a New Wood Stove? - Ask the Expert Episode 238

Today's question is from Sandra Benedict. "Hey Dan, we're looking for a wood-burning option in our home, but a standard fireplace is impractical because we don't have a chimney, and to build one is cost-prohibitive. How is the 2,000 square foot Ashley Hearth AW2020E-P steel plate wood stove? Do we need a chimney to vent it?"

For any wood stove, you're going to have to have a chimney. Wood produces smoke, pollution, and soot. Unless you want to have a very interesting home interior that is deadly because it's full of smoke, then you're going to need a chimney for the wood stove.

Now, that doesn't need to be a masonry chimney. It doesn't have to have bricks. You can just just get a factory-produced chimney. For the Ashley Hearth wood stove, there is a chimney available for it. And it's easier to install than a brick masonry chimney. But you have to have a chimney or you are going to die.

Have more questions? Just ask in the comments below.