Retrofiting outside air to fireplace?
The recent article by Matthew Teague on wood fireplaces got me to thinking again about adding an outside air duct to my existing masonry fireplace, since it’s right beside an outside wall.
Is there a right way to do this?
Replies
wye?
Experts say that much of the warm air in the house go's up the chimney with the fire if no external air source is provided in the side or bottom of the firebox.That sounds reasonable.It should be easy enough to do.
Edited 9/17/2008 3:06 pm ET by Mike_D
I used the type of unit that replaces a whole fire brick and has an opening you spin open and closed. I did not like the outside vent that came with the unit. Thought it was flimsy. Found something at the local heating supply company and substituted that.
I placed the unit as low as I could in the center back of the fireplace where a whole brick was. I chiseled out that brick then using a masonry bit made a pilot hole to the outside in the center. I then went to the outside and used a masonry hole saw and drilled the outside hole. I had brick on the outside. If siding you will have to do a little more figuring. Works well.