Installing a new fire place?

[hostage]

I have done 2 bathroom remodels, but I have yet to touch my fireplace. I have a corner fireplace w/ a 8+" flue. I have been thinking of demoing as I hate the way it looks and putting in wood or gas high efficiency fireplace insert. I know with gas I can vent and intake air directly from the other side of the wall (outside). Though with the wood I hear you need to have a ~8" flue, which I have. I do like having the option of burning wood and I am leaning a little in that direction.

1) Can I use my existing flue/chimney?
2) Can I use the flue for exhaust and take the air from a different vent on the outside of the house?
3) Is there a smaller diameter liner that I can drop into the flue and use that for exhaust or air intake?

Thanks in advance,

Hostage

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

I would hire my son as it is his job. lol

 

[hostage]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

I would hire my son as it is his job. lol

Don't have any kids short of a dog and two cats.

I also see there is a 10% tax credit for installing a new energy efficient fire place that burns bio mass (wood), etc.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

I suggest you check with your local building inspector before you do anything. If not built correctly and inspected you are out of luck with your insurance company if the fireplace burns down your house.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

I'd call a chimney sweep look at the chimney and flue for a proper cleaning and operation. Many of them also do installs like this and can give you sound advice.

 

[rbh]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

Up here we have this WETT test thing for insurance purposes.
They check the chimney both insulated stainless (Selkirk style) and traditional brick with flue for cracks ETC.
Is the fire box certifiable EPA/underwriters/CA ETC emissions and does it have the right amount of fire protection backing on the walls and floor.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

I had a fire place in my house that needed the chimney rebuilt. A gas insert was installed instead. I thought the gas was hokey at first but I love it now. Only thing I would do different is get a direct vent so I can head the house with it. Mine vents up the chimney there for wasting all of the heat it generates.

 

[hostage]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

I had a fire place in my house that needed the chimney rebuilt. A gas insert was installed instead. I thought the gas was hokey at first but I love it now. Only thing I would do different is get a direct vent so I can head the house with it. Mine vents up the chimney there for wasting all of the heat it generates.

I think my biggest issue is that I am prejudice against some of these gas fire places. A lot of them look odd when there is barely any space inside the fireplace. It almost looks like they are electric.

I called a place online and they seemed very helpful. He told me I would have to see if my firebox is even compatible with an insert.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

We have two traditional fireplaces and a direct vent gas insert w/ blower in the family room. The insert required a ss chimney line but it works great. Heat with a push of a button. Doesn't suck the heat out of the house like the fireplaces

 

[rbh]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

We have two traditional fireplaces and a direct vent gas insert w/ blower in the family room. The insert required a ss chimney line but it works great. Heat with a push of a button. Doesn't suck the heat out of the house like the fireplaces

The problem with fire places VS an air tight is there is no cold air inlet.
If you could pull air from outside of the building to feed the fire you would not be sucking the heat out, As well if your windows and doors are leaking your pulling cold air in to the building.
If your airtight has a blower and you could pull air from outside of the building to feed it you could pressurize?? the building with warm air.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

The problem with fire places VS an air tight is there is no cold air inlet.
If you could pull air from outside of the building to feed the fire you would not be sucking the heat out, As well if your windows and doors are leaking your pulling cold air in to the building.
If your airtight has a blower and you could pull air from outside of the building to feed it you could pressurize?? the building with warm air.

Both fireplaces are brick and motor with 8" x 12" liners. The one in the kitchen has a 42" x 30" x 24" firebox and a fireplace crane for cooking. The one in the bedroom is a bit smaller, 36" x 24" x 18". Both would suck small pets up the chimney if it got too close. Not real conducive to outside venting. The bedroom FP is strictly ornamental. The one in the kitchen only gets used on snow days and holidays. The gas FP gets used 4-5 times a week.

 

[rbh]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

Dingbat, hey bud, lets see if I can help you out a bit.
OK then, there are many MFGs that make a air tight insert, cold air comes in from the outside so it does not draw from the leaks in the vapour barrier/windows and doors.
A straight fireplace is just a place you throw money at to look at flames and your heat going out of your home.

CL wood inserts, there are a ton of them, you may have to re + re the door seal and the catalytic converter, but well worth it.

I trust blaze king, but there are many more out there.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

Dingbat, hey bud, lets see if I can help you out a bit.
OK then, there are many MFGs that make a air tight insert, cold air comes in from the outside so it does not draw from the leaks in the vapour barrier/windows and doors.
A straight fireplace is just a place you throw money at to look at flames and your heat going out of your home.

CL wood inserts, there are a ton of them, you may have to re + re the door seal and the catalytic converter, but well worth it.

I trust blaze king, but there are many more out there.

I have no interest in converting the fireplaces. Even less interest in messing with wood anymore.

As noted earlier, neither are used for heat. The one in the bedroom is used once or twice a year. Laying in bed next to an insert is not my idea of a romantic evening. :lol:

We burn the one in the kitchen a couple of times a year we get measurable snow. Nice place to hangout, warm up and dry your boots and gloves off when it's wet and cold outside. Use it a couple of times a year to cook a kettle of stew for dinner when family and friends come over.

The fireplace below is almost identical to ours. We have a big wood "box" on the end instead of the oven with a smaller box underneath. An insert in a room designed around a "working" fireplace would be a real buzz kill...

 

[rbh]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

^^^^
I hear you, if there was natural gas we would be all over it, and diesel is way to expensive.

Mindya, the power goes out here 3-4 times per winter, and it is nice not to have to rely on it for heating purposes.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

^^^^
I hear you, if there was natural gas we would be all over it, and diesel is way to expensive.

Mindya, the power goes out here 3-4 times per winter, and it is nice not to have to rely on it for heating purposes.

No Natural gas, use propane for the insert. Hurricane country ...power goes out here as well. The generator is big enough to run the furnace (oil) but if worst comes to worst, wood is abundant and free

 

[hostage]

Re: Installing a new fire place?

We are all electric, though we do have a propane tank in back that attaches to the fire place.