Can you install a wood stove in an airtight, super-insulated house?
I will be building a house in Atlin, BC (zone 3), and was hoping to have a wood stove as back up heat for my hydronic slab on grade in addition to the aethstetics and comfort it would provide.
However, the thought of punching a 2 sq ft uninsulated hole through the roof with a steel column running up through the centre is troubling. I am fairly confident the air barrier continuity can be maintained but when the stove is not in use it would represent a significant heat loss.
You can indeed put a wood stove in an airtight high performance home, even a home that meets the airtight standards of Passive House, you just need to be sure to provide makeup air to avoid depressurizing the home. This page here covers all you need to know -
How to install wood burning stoves and fireplaces in airtight homes such as Passive House
And yes, you are correct that the chimney section that passes through the roof will constitute one of the weaker points, but making it airtight is not that hard, and the benefits it will provide in terms of keeping your home warm during a power outage in our opinion is more than worth the risk of the most minimal risk of air or water leakage around your chimney. A well sealed direct air feed through the wall is really your best bet to ensuring proper function of your stove.
Some insurers are now requesting mandatory wildfire retrofits for insurance eligibility in drought-prone regions.
For deep cracks or joints, using backer rods for wide gaps ensures the sealant remains flexible and doesn't fail prematurely.