Support
Common Tech Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most about powered venting, draft control, and make-up air.
What's the difference between a powered vent and a natural draft chimney?
A powered vent uses a fan to actively pull combustion gases through the flue, allowing for smaller pipe sizes, longer horizontal runs, and more flexible venting routes than a natural draft system.
Do I need a make-up air unit for my appliance?
If your appliance is installed in a tightly sealed building, or where exhaust fans and other equipment could depressurize the room, a make-up air unit is typically needed to supply replacement air and keep the appliance venting safely.
What's the difference between a solid fuel controller and a gas fuel controller?
Solid fuel controllers manage the slower, more variable combustion of wood or pellet-fired appliances by regulating draft and fan speed, while gas fuel controllers are built around the faster ignition and modulation characteristics of gas-fired equipment.
What is a mechanized flue damper, and why would I need one?
A mechanized flue damper automatically opens and closes the flue in sync with the appliance's operation, cutting standby heat loss when the unit isn't firing while still allowing full, unrestricted flow during operation.
Why does my system need a flue silencer?
Powered venting can introduce fan and airflow noise that carries through the flue; a silencer is installed inline to dampen that noise so the system runs quietly without affecting draft performance.
What does a vibration dampener do, and when is it required?
A vibration dampener isolates mechanical vibration from a fan or blower so it isn't transmitted through the ductwork or building structure, which helps prevent noise complaints and reduces long-term wear on connected components.
What is a rain collar used for?
A rain collar is installed where a vent pipe penetrates the roof to seal out water intrusion at the roof line, protecting the building envelope around the flue termination.
How do I choose the right adaptor for connecting my venting components?
Adaptors are selected based on matching the diameters, shapes, and connection types of the two components being joined, so it's important to confirm both the upstream and downstream fitting specs before ordering.
How do multi-unit controllers differ from single-unit controllers?
Multi-unit controllers coordinate venting and draft control across several appliances sharing a common system, whereas single-unit controllers are dedicated to managing one appliance independently.