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Fireplace air supply Q

ahneedhelp | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on February 12, 2004 01:03am

I am pondering using the ash dump for the main floor fireplace as a fresh-air supply and installing a glass door on the front of the fireplace, turning it into a sealed unit, so to speak.

The ash dump cleanout is in the basement which also happens to be next to the boiler, which will be enclosed with fresh-air supply tubes installed.

The fireplace ash dump trap door could be modified so air can be supplied without ash/ember dropping down during a fire.
The cleanout door downstairs would be modified so supply air can be routed to it with a very short section of duct/piping from the boiler room.
I would make sure plenty of makeup air is available for when both the fireplace and boiler are burning at the same time.

Also, some sort of damper could be added downstairs to control the air supply and burn rate in the fireplace.

That’s all for now, if anyone has any insight, suggestions, etc.

Thanks for your help.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Feb 12, 2004 02:23am | #1

    Caution..the glass doors that you want, cannot be the standard type of fireplace doors. They will break. what you will want is NEO-CERAM glass, not tempered (which is what fireplace doors are)..by overfiring with the doors closed you are in effect making a woodstove, much higher temps.

    View Image

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

    1. stonefever | Feb 12, 2004 02:59am | #2

      I found out from experience that the cool incoming air blowing across that tempered glass would cause it to explode.

      So I turned my damper around so the incomeing air blew into the fire.  Been fine for 15 years now.

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Feb 12, 2004 03:04am | #3

        yeah but..did ya ever read the info. with the doors? Do not operate the fire with the doors closed. Tempered is not stable at those temps. wether or not subjected to air flow.

        Neo-ceram is THE way to go for peace of mind and real safety.

        View Image

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

        1. ahneedhelp | Feb 12, 2004 03:11am | #4

          Thank-you for the heads-up on the glass types.

          I don't mind using whatever it is that's safer (and probably more expensive).

          I was not aware that the doors should not be closed completely.

          Many I've come across in the past were used with them closed completely but I don't know what type of glass were used.

          There were grills along the bottom edge of the door frame for supplying the air.

          However, I guess I'm trying to get some feedback from folks using the ash dump schute to supply combustian air (but in a modified manner that I described.)

          Your point is well taken, though, and I appreciate that.

          1. IanDG | Feb 12, 2004 06:35am | #5

            Baxendale fires of England used to make a unit just as you describe [not made now because the Clean Air Act bans solid-fuel fires] -- I fitted one in my house. It drew its air supply into a modified ash-pit via a 4" diameter pipe through the crawl-space to a vent in the external wall. The ash pit had a lift-out box that held the ash and a spigot on the front that took the 4" pipe and the airflow was controlled by a damper in the spigot, worked by a lever on the hearth. It worked very well indeed -- best of all was the lack of the draughts that a fire drawing air from the room causes.

            IanDG

          2. ahneedhelp | Feb 12, 2004 07:01am | #6

            Ian -

            Thank-you for the info.

            I was hoping I'm not the only one thinking of this.

            Should be a fun project and fairly simple to execute.

            Time to start shopping for a fireplace door....

          3. stonefever | Feb 12, 2004 07:26am | #7

            Custom Fireplace Doors       Walled Lake, Mich.

            They make really nice ones to suit whatever you have.  In what ever finish you want. 

            I've bought three times from them.

          4. ahneedhelp | Feb 12, 2004 07:34am | #8

            re - Custom Fireplace Doors       Walled Lake, Mich.

            ---

            Thank-you !

            I'll check them out.

          5. JAlden | Feb 13, 2004 06:14pm | #9

            Stonefever, Do you have a phone number for them?

            Thanks

          6. stonefever | Feb 14, 2004 07:32pm | #10

            248-360-1919

            Ask for either Bruce or Stuart.  They're the owners.  Really nice guys.

          7. JAlden | Feb 20, 2004 10:27pm | #11

            Thank You

  2. flav | Jan 03, 2007 10:53pm | #12

    Did you ever find a door for your ash pit?  If so where?  I also would like to do this.

     

    thanks

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