We’ve got the typical heat losing masonry fireplace on the outside of our house. Its in the living room which is 12×25 with 2 internal doors, 1 external door and 5 windows. Not many ways to set up the furniture so some of it ends up 2.5- 3′ away from the firebox.
That’s the background. I have some access to cheap wood and since we spend a lot of time in this room, I’d like to get some positive heat out of this fireplace. My understanding is a wood stove insert produces huge amounts of both radiant and convective heat so furniture and combustibles need to be further away than we can do. Are there any other options to get a (even a small) net heat gain from an existing fireplace that will allow us to keep furniture placed reasonably?
Thanks!
Brian
Replies
You could find a mason who builds fireplaces and have them inspect and modify your fireplace with a sealed door and combustion vent to outside air. You've essentially eliminated the majority of problems. Not all fireplaces can be easily retrofitted since it can greatly increases the interior temp of the firebox.
We would sketch the design/style and hire the local voc-ed instructor to build the doors and frame. These were good moonlighting projects for him and it gave us top-notch quality at a reasonable price.
Of course it's cheaper to put in a small wood burning stove.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
http://www.rumford.com
The best type of fireplace to build, IMO.
Rod
Brian, we installed a Jotul wood stove insert http://www.jotul.us/content/products/ProductType____3098.aspx
a few years back. The surface gets hot to the touch, of course, but it doesn't radiate nearly as much heat as a regular woodstove, until you turn on the circulating fan (and then it's convective heat, at a lower temperature). You can download technical documents from the website above, which would probably include recommended clearances around the installed unit.
We have the larger unit, which has performed very well for us. I like the firebrick lining, lack of a catalytic converter, and large viewing window. Be advised that this insert is not designed to be burned with the doors open (I think VT Castings may make an insert that can be burned with a screen in the door opening).
George
I like the jotuls, but all the inserts I've seen (jotul's too) seem to be rated at 30-50k BTUs which would blow us out of the room. Have you seen smaller ones or are those ratings BS?
Grandizer,The BTU ratings for most wood burners are optimistic. Then as you calculate the efficiency of an insert or stove (70% on a good day) the heat output is not likely to run you out of the room. A flush mounted insert will radiate less than one that protrudes into the room. The existing fire box will be the biggest factor in finding an insert that "fits". With some practice building a fire to fit the conditions I think you would be very happy with a nice insert. Hearth.com is a good site with an active forum about burning many alternative fuels. Take a look and ask your questions there. You will get a lot of advise, most of it will be good.Garett