I have a conventional wood burning fireplace that I would like to convert to a natural gas insert. On the face of the stucco are vents top and bottom on both sides of the firebox. I would like to close these in and redo the mantel. Question? Can I just seal off these vents or will I need to fill in the entire chamber behind them? My concern is that there will be built up moisture plus the expansion and contraction of the air in the chamber.
Buzz2
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Replies
I think your "vents" are evidence of a "heatilator" (spelling?) unit, which in essence is a double wall metal firebox inserted into a masonry fireplace. They work by allowing heated, but not "combustion" air, out into the room, and draw cooler air into the lower vents. Sometimes they have a powered fan in the upper vents.
Not sure what impact a gas insert will have. (how well it is insulated to protect the orig firebox etc from heat). Problem w/ sealing off the vents is that if the air between the two metal walls gets hot, where will it go? At least peeling, discollored, paint around mantle, could also be a fire hazzard.
I would check w/ the gas insert manf.