Choosing the right company to handle all of your chimney and fireplace needs can be a tough task. Knowing which questions to ask can and will certainly smooth out the process for you.
The conversion of a stove to allow for the use of a different fuel is possible but complicated and requires involvement by professionals. Some of what they do is necessary anyway, so if a change is on your mind, consultation can be part of this spring’s chimney inspection. Your sweep can tell you the feasibility of your plan and what you need to do, given your own unique circumstances.
Venting Is Still the Issue
First, a CSIA certified chimney sweep needs to inspect your venting system to determine whether it can handle the conversion or will need to be changed itself. Stacks designed to vent smoke from oil are not necessarily equipped to handle the different combustibles produced by wood. Second, if the flue can stay, it has to be thoroughly cleaned, and the chimney has to be in good condition regardless.
A different firebox will almost certainly be required, and your chimney sweep should be involved with that, too. It needs to be sized properly for the flue to vent the different gases produced by burning wood. Insufficiencies that may not be apparent in a stove’s oil-burning performance can show up when the smoke going up it is different.
Ask a Chimney Sweep
Certified chimney sweeps are also familiar with the ease or difficulty of new installations and can guide your understanding of their likely expense. They are up to date on clearances and codes and can be a valuable source of information needed for this conversion. They need to come out and check your system anyway, so take full advantage of everything they can offer.
Another important thing to consider in this process is where the wood is going to be stored. The right balance of convenience and safety has to be struck, with wood kept far enough away from the house to be safe. Even this kind of thing is worth discussing with a chimney sweep, because they will have plenty of ideas on how to make your home and stove safer.