We recently bought a house and want to replace the gas insert with a
wood-burning one. The gas insert vents out the side of the house --
about 6' above the fire box. I imagine this will be a problem. What I
wonder is: can it be done without building a flue to the roof? We live
in Washington State.

Thanks.

not likely. does the chimney with a working damper travel to an
altitude above the rooftop by [local feet varies]?
check neighbors homes for tips if this common in your area.
note natural gas burns cleaner, more efficient and even heat, less
asthma concerns.
if your fireplace is only a decorative one see if you actually have a
fireplace for heat or decoration. you can not burn any other fuels in a
decorative gas fireplace.
check for wall insulation before you change to wood heat, lots of heat
can be lost up the chimney.


wrote:
We recently bought a house and want to replace the gas insert with a
wood-burning one. The gas insert vents out the side of the house --
about 6' above the fire box. I imagine this will be a problem. What I
wonder is: can it be done without building a flue to the roof? We live
in Washington State.

Thanks.

I agree. Sounds like you want to send your steak back and get chicken
instead. I have a woodburning FP in Fla..(yea we use 'em there) and a
gas insert in Pa. I wouldn't want another wood burner as sick as it
makes me when I use it..

CP

On 8 Oct 2006 21:42:31 -0700, wrote:

We recently bought a house and want to replace the gas insert with a
wood-burning one. The gas insert vents out the side of the house --
about 6' above the fire box. I imagine this will be a problem. What I
wonder is: can it be done without building a flue to the roof? We live
in Washington State.

Thanks.

Be safe--A wood-burning fireplace needs a chimney.

On 8 Oct 2006 21:42:31 -0700, wrote:

We recently bought a house and want to replace the gas insert with a
wood-burning one. The gas insert vents out the side of the house --
about 6' above the fire box. I imagine this will be a problem. What I
wonder is: can it be done without building a flue to the roof? We live
in Washington State.

Thanks.

You can't use any of the existing system, no.

You can, however, take the existing pipe out and
put a stainless zero-clearance metal chimney through
the same hole, extending it up to the required clearance
above the roofline.