Can I use an old chimney flue intended for a wood or coal range as a duct for a modern range hood?
Question:My house has a 3 flue chimney with one closed off opening to the kitchen for a flue that is not in use. I suppose it was for a wood or coal kitchen range. The chimney rises through my 2 story 1898 home and thru the attic. The other two flues are for the boiler and a fireplace which is never used. . We wonder if a range hood could vent into this flue? Our carpenter worries that it would cause a lot of heat loss. I worry that the old flue might be very dirty.
Answers:
It would be perfectly fine for you to do this. However, your carpenter is absolutely right. When you are cooking in the winter and start up your hood, it's going to blow expensive hot air right out of your chimney. All in all, it's not really worth it unless you live in a very warm climate.
Yes to both. Your range hood would need a powerful fan to vent the hood. You would also need fan at the top of the flue. Very noisy and costly. Just like a restaurant. Skip it and vent it to the closest out side wall. Have your licensed installer do it correct to your building codes. You don't want a fire to burn down your 1898 home.
sure you can and if you are worried about dirt have it cleaned by a chimney sweep first. and forget about the fan at the top of the chimney , they are meant to draw all on their own...
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