I have a wood burning insert fireplace that is like a wind tunnel of cold air when not in use. Part of the problem is a defective and shoddy sheet metal damper that doesn’t close tightly. The installation manual that the builder left stated that the wood framed chase needs to be insulated. I was not able to verify if it was or not, but would the insulation make that much of a difference or is there a top mounted damper that I can use. The only top mounted dampers I’ve been able to find are for masonary fireplaces. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My old insert fireplace was great although the chase was on the inside of the house.
Thanks.
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To understand what in the world you are talking about, we need some common language first.
A fireplace insert is an airtight wood stove sort of unit made to INSERT into a masonry fireplace that already exists with full masonry chimmney. A wood burning insert cannot exibitthe problems you describe.
OTOH, a solid fuel appliance called a zero-clearance built in fireplace can be built into a woood framed chase and yes, that chase should be insulated to same way as any other exterior wall of your house since it is an exterior wall. Some localities also require that it be lined with Type X gypsum and taped, and that firestop spacesrs be installed to prevenet draft.
So it sounds like a shlock hack did the install as cheap as he could get away with, but all he needs to do is take it apart so he can get in to do it right. Shouldn't cost him more than a couple grand
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I'd find out from the manufacturer what is up with the damper.
The premanufactured wood burners can be really drafty as there is an air intake that dumps fresh air in around the exterior of the box to provide makeup air for the fire and allows cooler air to circulate inbetween the liners of the flue pipe thereby keeping the outer pipe cool enough to not burn down your home.
This is always open no matter what you do with the damper. You should have insulation on face wall of the fireplace isolating the cavity that the fireplace sits in from the living space. You want to seal as much as you can around the surround and mantle and if you dont have glass doors, I'd suggest installing glass doors as well.
If your chimney was on the other side of the house, it might not be so drafty as the wind currents around the home can have a lot to do with how much you feel at the fireplace.
I have had 2 homes next to each other built identical behave differently because of their orientation, the trees around them etc.