Ideas needed for fireplace blower
So I’ve got a new house (not real new, but new to me) that has what I originally thought was a relatively useless masonry built-in fireplace downstairs. Once I bothered to look at it (duh) it’s a steel firebox insert built into a block surround with a cavity around the firebox, i.e. a homegrown “heatilatorâ€, complete with four vent holes approximately 8†square. In the bottom two of these are a couple of little (nominally useful) fans that plug into the wall to force air into the cavity, and the top two are where the heat enters the room. After having built a few fires, I find the fireplace drafts like a Clydesdale and the heatilator is oddly effective in producing useful heat in the house. So naturally my inclination is for more horsepower, right? I mean, what would you do? <!—-><!—-><!—->
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So I’m thinking “wouldn’t it be cool if I knocked out a fifth hole (a little larger, in the back of the block surround which I can get to very easily) as an intake duct for a larger blower to replace the two small fans currently installed. Then I could hook the blower up to automatically start at lower speed as the firebox heats up, then faster as it gets hotter, then shut itself off as the heat diminishes…†Well, I’m sure you can get the idea. Then this winter when the power goes off to my all electric home (into which I’ve cleverly provided a small backup generator), I can fire up the genset, build a good fire and sleep comfortably knowing my pipes won’t freeze. <!—-><!—->
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Trouble is, I’ve checked around in the local area and haven’t been able to find anyone in the fireplace, HVAC or electrician business that’s both willing and able to accomplish this task for me. Now, I’m plenty capable of actually doing the install and hookup , etc. But my problem is lack of knowledge of (just as an example, and, among a vast list of other things) what type of blower, thermocouple, speed control, wiring diagram, blah, blah and so on. Naturally, I think of soliciting some input from all you fine folks.<!—-> <!—->
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So whattaya think? Any and all input gratefully received.<!—-><!—->
Replies
this is so '70's retro...
google on Rodale or Mother Earth
or heat circulating fireplace
careful that you don't screw up the draft and start moving smoke and soot