You can pay right here on this page by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below. Success! Will this work ? I would check around with some pictures of your fire[lace to see if any of the fireplace stores can provide a solution. I want to install a propane tank there to fuel a ventless log set in my fireplace. It does have two 4 inch vents on the outside was not sure if those could be closed up or not since there is so much cold air coming in when not in use. The products of combustion include water vapor and carbon monoxide. A better option is to install a liner that goes all the way from the stove's vent to the top of the chimney, an option that will cost about $100 per foot in 2014 for a professional installation. Being sure that the fireplace will vent properly is very important to the safety of the home as a whole. Keep trying because I bet you’ll win! I think you obviously agree you have an air balancing problem within the house otherwise you wouldn’t be seeking an outside air source. Whether the vent is an outside air source or simply a vent on the front of a wood stove feeding the fire in the stove with air from the room, if you get the area painted be sure that the air vents are not painted or sealed shut. My chimney flue will be 12″ x 12″ inside x 10′ high above the damper. Fireplace Fresh Air Intake Damper – Installation Manual Pictures. In the chapter you can find pictures of all necessary tools, materials and pictures of the Fresh Air Intake installation. We won't send you spam. Some are 3′ round, while another manufacturer may produce a vent about the size of one of the firebricks found on the back wall of your fireplace. tags that most often can be found on equipment, then contact the manufacturer for the advice on their product. The kit allows an installer to decide the best possible location for the air intake vent, not the same location as the wall thimble. Install a motorized damper that can close the air intake. In order to see the paid page you have to click on the “Register” button, fill out the form, choose your own Username and Password and click on the “Register” button at the bottom of the form – congratulation, you are now on the page you have paid for! This specific Empire fresh air kit is designed to improve your fireplace's efficiency and use like no other product available. We have sealed our homes up tight. To my surprise there was a 4-inch corrugated plastic tube coming up out of the floor with the other end facing the fireplace wall. These normally slide to the right and left to open or close. As you probably understand fresh air intake brings unconditioned air from the outside and furnace or A/C must increase their cycles to heat or to cool this air. Required fields are marked *. Unsubscribe at any time. I recommend your getting an chimney inspection to assess this moisture situation.There are many variables that may be causing this problem such as cold spots in wall cavities, uninsulated ceiling areas surrounding the chimney as well as the humidity setting in your home. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. One thing I will caution you about when it comes to outside air sources is to watch them when they get painting over. Indoor Air Quality. It should a continuous noncombustible conduit from the fireplace to the outside. The market leading Zero Clearance system is Clean Air’s method of installing an inbuilt fireplace when you want the look, but not The maximum cable length I love the outside air kit on my wood burning fireplace insert. or Clean Air Wood Heaters for the complete specifications. This is a senior situation and I really believe they have your best interest and their liability exposure in mind. If installing an outside air vent does not solve your problem, a less intrusive repair would be to install a SmokeGuard which makes the size of the firebox smaller so that the products of combustion may be vented more efficiently. An open fireplace, in contrast, can exhaust such a large volume of air that it could affect the operation of, for example, a conventional gas-fired furnace or water heater. I have a cutting wheel and can cut a grove into the bricks if necessary to fit a flat cover. The two types of gas fireplaces function differently. Your email address will not be published. Last, fasten each section of stovepipe with self-tapping screws. By dampering the fresh air duct, you will reduce the cycles and save some energy and money! Installation of the stove pipe is the same as for vertical installation. Important: After you have purchased any Paid page or Download page and PayPal brought you back to my website, the first thing that you should do is to save that page to your Favorites. Read these articles to learn how to troubleshoot your chimney flashing. There are 20 pictures on the page. One way to improve air flow is to install an outside air source. Then, connect it to the wall thimble. Building codes in most parts of the country have require these during new construction. We have big problems with a lot of cold air coming inside the house thru the outside air intake door and the chimney trap door. This guide will discuss what a fresh air intake is and the importance of it. He is also an award-winning educator and public speaker in the chimney and fireplace industry. This makes a vent-free fireplace installation easy to achieve in most homes, including smaller ones, because installing the fireplace doesn't require any extra building, digging or renovations to the exterior of the home. An outside air source is a vent that provides fresh air … Then if something goes wrong you always can come back to re-register yourself on my website again. Hi Clay. The chapter has 7 pictures; 3 pages*. They look like a small rectangle iron grate, and most often located on the back wall of the firebox. Additionally may I suggest your getting the manufacturer’s info off of the Mfg. Our DIY eBook solution is here. Clay, First I would call the manufacture, if they are no longer in business I would contact a few Chimney Sweeps to get opinions of possible options to dismantle the fireplace unit. I trust we will provide you with enough information to solve your chimney and fireplace needs. The vent faces the front of the house so it would be nice to not have it so obvious. Let me start this off. Since the air consumption of a wood stove is so low, the risk of reversal of a ducted combustion air supply outweighs any advantage gained by bringing air from outdoors. Got Rid Of the Rusty Vent Cover for Air Intake Bought A This includes fireplaces, hot water heaters, and furnace equipment. Due to the much thicker “filter mesh media found in the expensive filter, this would not allow air movement from within the cold air room vents and started to down the chimney, located in the basement. 7. When it gets below zero outside I have moisture build up all over the unit if it’s not in use. Burn safe and warm even if you have to wear your winter coat. IMPORTANT TIP: Make-up air vent is the same thing as a fresh-air intake vent. Fireplace Fresh Air Intake Vent . Fresh Air Cap Installation – the chapter gives a brief explanation on the purpose of the “fresh air intake" and presents two cases of installation. I am going to build an outdoor fireplace that will be placed on the outer edge of a gazebo. Let's take a quick look at your basic knowledge of physics. I have a stainless vent on the outside of my chimney about 4 feet off the ground. Clay. Our fireplace is in the center of the home with a metal screen over the front. Sorry I just couldn’t resist Clay, Well sounds to me like you’re a perfect candidate for a “direct vent” gas fireplace system that can vent downNS out. Clay, Before making “any” modifications “I” would definitely check with the manufacturer to see even if this is a real consideration for you! If it were mine, I would start with the least expensive thing first. The intake vent draws fresh air into the fireplace while the exhaust vent safely removes fumes of the combustion (burning) process. Fireplace air vent installation can sometimes be difficult to figure out which air intake vent kit is right for you. The fireplace is my only source of heat and runs almost all year round. The chapter has 7 pictures; 3 pages*. Exhaust And Fresh Air Intake Locations ... Masonry Fireplace Installation - Fireplace Insert ... Fresh Air must be connected where required by local codes. P.S. What solution to this problem would you recommend? Some cold air intakes connect directly to the fireplace chimney or venting system, while some attach directly to the fireplace hood. The fresh air kit on our Pacific Energy stove is basically a 4" dryer vent with the flapper removed and a screen covering the hole to keep criters out. It is designed to be concealed behind an enclosure. On 07/05/2013 text of this chapter was significantly modified and improved. Install a ≤ 0.5-in.-mesh screen on all air inlets to keep out rodents, insects, and debris, except use a louvered damper rather than a mesh screen on clothes dryer vents. Install controls to provide intermittent fresh air based on a timer. The Clean Air Zero Clearance wood heater is the in-built fireplace solution you’ve been looking for without having a fireplace! Greg, A big congrats goes out to you on all that you have done. Combustion air may be You should be able to find a grill cover at your local brickyard that you may have to cut in, take a picture with you and take measurements. Don’t block the ventilation system, be it the fresh air intake or the vent where the hot air is expelled. I’m not aware of any requirements for outside fireplaces other than keep combustibles away from it. The fresh air kit on our Pacific Energy stove is basically a 4" dryer vent with the flapper removed and a screen covering the hole to keep criters out. 3 INSTALLATION Ensure the proper functioning of the mechanism before installation. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Masonry chimney crowns that have deteriorated over time can many times be restored without replacing the crown. Also when the fireplace pilot light is out in the winter would cold winter air come in and create moisture inside the walls? The fire in the firebox warms the flue system so that the products of combustion will flow up and out of the chimney. This is a little more complicated than our average customer question, I’m going to recommend you go to NCSG.org and find a recommended chimney sweep in your area that can help you out with it. It is positioned to the far right and below the floor of fireplace and is angled towards an opening in the brick, however the opening has brick and cement in it. What can I use to cover the opening on the exterior? Should the intake air be drawn from a crawl space surrounded by a concrete perimeter wall or should the wall be cut to draw fresh air? You should put a T in the flue pipe and pipe back in some of the heated flue gas back into the fire to make it even warmer so then you can always add fresh cold air … In order for a chimney to draft properly, there must be a good air flow from the firebox to the top of the chimney. It's just a hole in the house that has a direct lead to the fireplace. I have seen negative air problem resolved by the homeowner simply changing out their expensive furnace air filter to a much cheaper filter, (replace more ofter) that allowed the proper air balancing to be pulled from the room within the home “evenly”. Wood Stove Makeup Air Some poorly designed houses with powerful vent fans or more than two bathroom fans (80 cfm X 3)that may be on in the morning at the same time as the wood stove is needed to warm up the house at the same time as someone is burning the bacon making breakfast (160 cfm) will benefit greatly from a wood stove outside air intake. Increasing the height of the chimney (could possibly) be extremely helpful. Use any exterior caulk, should be of high quality, to caulk around the fresh air intake hood. I have a propane fireplace with the exterior fresh air vent. Step 3 - Create a Hole in Return Duct It is obviously a serious negative pressure air in balance in your home. I want to install a 4 inch pipe in the fire box for air. My research has resulted in thinking this tube is an air intake source but I can’t find the end that is in the floor. I would like to use my gas log but I don’t want to risk before the nesting material is removed. Fireplace Fresh Air Intake Damper – Installation Manual. Our homes today are all air starved I would guess that your home has an air balance issue. Says fresh air intake. 1 Position the fresh air intake register with airtight damper (A-1) according to previous recommendations and determine the position (x) of your control (A-2). In most cases, it will be a trial and error process to find the negative draw within the home. I don’t use my fireplace. Not a fan either of the mechanical fresh air idea into the hous (HRV) At best the HRV is 50% efficient. I have had it since the fireplace was installed. This device opens and closes the fresh air supply to a wood or pellet heating appliance being certified with a fresh air intake kit. You want the air to be able to move freely in and out of the fireplace. We realize our home is pretty air tight and we usually open a window before using the fans but sometimes it’s not enough. High Efficiency Furnace Intake/Exhaust Setup; fresh air is over-rated; Fresh Air Return The products of combustion include water vapor and carbon monoxide. Enjoy great evenings using that fireplace! However, in many older houses there are no fresh air intake installed. Clay, Your email address will not be published. Would opening this vent help with our problem? I have an outside fresh air intake vent where birds gotten in and packed nesting material that I cannot access to remove. Do I need to push air from the outside into the box to obtain enough air flow? Learn how to fix your crown yourself. Any clue what this vent may do? The products of combustion include water vapor and carbon monoxide. Nov 30th. I have a masonary fireplace. We are the perfect reference when it comes to purchasing a replacement part or an accessory for your heating appliance. Learn how your comment data is processed. Side or Rear wall kits installs thru your fireplace wall to let fresh air in. This Our open fireplaces’ is just the appliance that gets the clod air rushing (or sucking) down the chimney flue. Having an outside air source is generally not a costly process, but consulting a professional over where to systematically place the vent is a good idea. One way to improve air flow is to install an outside air source. 3 INSTALLATION Ensure the proper functioning of the mechanism before installation. DEAR TIM: I've got both a fireplace and a free-standing wood heater spaced 15 feet apart from one another in … I first want to thank you for visiting our site. An outside air source is a vent that provides fresh air to feed the fire. Chimney leaking ? I used to have an open front wood burning fireplace that was installed in the 80’s, but just had an ironstrike wood stove insert put in. Use the hole saw machine to drill a hole. There was an error submitting your subscription. Step 2 - Install the Hood. You can try going to your local brick yard and see what outside air source supplies they offer then determine where and how is the best way to install this. If you would like to read more you can buy an instant access to the secondary page for the price of only $1.86. My experience is that many will not open. Is it necessary to have it or can I count on the air from inside the house to provide air to burn wood in the fire place? Combustion is a chemical reaction in which a fuel (in our case wood or pellets) is burned by a comburent (oxygen), which leads to heat being released. Because manufactured homes are so airtight it is important to have a good fresh air intake that will enable air … Please try again. Different Mfg. Anyone seen before? First of all there shouldn’t be any plastic in your fireplace at all. The DuraVent PelletVent Pro Fresh Air Intake Kit allows fresh air into an existing pellet stove installation that had been using inside air. This can cause problems, especially if it is a vent on the front of a wood burning stove that requires the air in order for the wood to fully combust. My neighbors bbq is a few feet away from my gas fireplaces vent and his bbq smoke gets in my house. Who do I contact to remove? If metal fresh air duct is used, secure duct using 1/2" sheet metal screws (not included) and duct tape. The burning by-products are vented back into the room, which is also where the air to fuel the fire is drawn from. May I suggest going to a local brick supplier in your area, or even go online to investigate these vents. This chapter from the "Energy Saving Edition" book gives a detailed description of the Fresh Air Intake installation, which according to code must be an important element of your HVAC ductwork system. Step 2:Install 6" fresh air intake duct between the fresh air intake and damper. Keeping a fire lit takes different factors including air and fuel for burning. Find answers to your creosote problems as we show you how to get rid of dangerous 3rd degree creosote. Water damage can cause chimneys to deteriorate faster than anything. Steve, I’m sorry to say it is not an easy answer. To install a fresh air intake, you will first need to choose the proper spot for your intake hood, install it, and create a duct return hole. The chimney also exhausts 2 forced air boilers and a oil fired hot water tank. attic insulation insulated windows doors, improperly sized furnace ductwork and cold air returns are all culprits that “maybe just one part” of the issue. The vent is at eye level and the nesting material is packed down to about 2 feet out of reach. The operator simply dials in the quantity (CFM) of fresh air needed from the quiet energy efficient motor and sets the desired intake levels for the outside humidity and temperature. Now tighten the inlet hood on the walls of the home using the screws for wood exterior. As far as saying this will solve your problem, would depend on the severity of the negative air pressure issue. There is no access to the vent at the fireplace?? Proper research prior to installation is the key to simplifying the process. Is there anything I can do to cover the vent? I like keeping the warm house air in the house instead of feeding the fire with it. $2.00 (Instant Access). I recently removed the hearth from my brick wood burning fireplace. Hello i have a wood burning fireplace. When an outdoor air inlet is ducted to the return side of the HVAC system's central air handler. That is why building codes require outside air for all appliances. Get a bucket Honey, no get lots of buckets”, HeatShield Chimney Liner Repair in Cincinnati. You can use the sweeps finder on http://www.nscg.org Clay Lamb. Install the slip connector or telescoping section last. Fresh air intake duct run should be as short as possible. Internally mounted sensors provide limits preventing the intake of outdoor air that is too humid and/or hot or too cold and/or dry. More than an online store! Fresh air intakes are a key component the HVAC system utilizes to maintain a safe and comfortable indoor environment in your home. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) doesn’t recommend the installation of fresh-air inlets because they don’t always reduce the chance of a combustion back draft and they can be a fire hazard. I have a masonry corner fireplace with ash dump in the center of the fire box floor. Will this be large enough? Being sure that the fireplace will vent properly is very important to the safety of the home as a whole. I would like to build an exterior decorative box for it leaving a big enough area allowing the fresh air to cycle. Would this be possible. It must, however, be noted that a fresh air intake, even if it is not mandatory, will always provide the advantage of better balancing the house with regards to combustion air. The fresh air duct is aged and frayed and it runs the length of the chimney pipe from inside the wall to a vent on the chimney side above the roof line. I have two fireplaces, both with outside air inlet and I am getting a lot of cold air coming into the house even when the inlet is closed. There is no outside vent on the house and it was within a brick hearth. Hi. Most outdoor air sources are too small to start with, but much bigger you’re going to be sitting in the living room with a winter coat. If metal fresh air duct is used, secure duct using 1/2" sheet metal screws (not included) and duct tape. The firebox dimensions are wxhxd 35x23x22 I plan on installing ceramic glass doors that are “air tight”. A traditional vented gas fireplace (view example on Amazon), fueled by either natural gas or propane, has two vents that run to the exterior of the house. Not a fan either of the mechanical fresh air idea into the hous (HRV) At best the HRV is 50% efficient. As far as the outside air source I’m somewhat surprised that you don’t already have one of these in your fireplace. This will definitely be a trial and error. Install the barometric damper, hang the duct and then ensure it’s airtight and you’re done! I just read through this article and was wondering, we have and woodburning stove insert and when we turn on kitchen or bathroom fans they draw the smoke back down the chimney into the house. How do I get this removed? Air seal around the intake duct termination and seal the duct to the HRV/ERV or return side of the air handler with mechanical fasteners and metal tape or mastic. $2.00 (Instant Access) On 06.03.2013 text of this chapter was significantly modified and improved. If the flue system is too cold the outside air coming down the chimney may be heavier than the products of combustion coming up the chimney which can cause a smoking problem. Can I eliminate it? If you are having a problem either keeping your fire lit, installing an outside air source may be beneficial. presents two cases of installation. Clay. My wood fireplace had been converted to gas DoD it still need this vent open? I’m sorry, I’m laughing here as picture you and your family sitting by the warm fireplace with big winter coats around the fire! First i agree with the rumford site that says that fresh air intakes are dumb. Fresh air intake duct run should be as short as possible. At first I thought they were using it as a clean out. We are going to discuss what a fresh air intake is and how a properly installed fresh air intake can increase your unit’s efficiency, performance, and prolong the life of your furnace. First, you will need to choose what type of external air intake (also known as a cold air intake or a fresh air intake) you want to install. Examples of Pulte Homes ductwork installation were also inserted in this chapter. I have to crack a window to get it to draw well. I have a chimney in the center of my home that is not used .we had a new one installed it is not as high. I’ll bet you will figure it out as you traveling on this journey, I have absolutely no idea what to tell you, other than calling the manufacture of your equipment a to see if they have a solution I would get a steak or some chicken and join the party. I have a masonry fireplace with an air vent that goes from the firebox to a brick-sized hole on the exterior of the fireplace; they never finished the vent with an exterior cover of any kind and bugs can get into the house via this air vent. Protecting your chimney with a water repellent is different than sealing it with a sealer. If so where should I put it in the fire box? Similar Threads: outside intake air vs inside; Do Cat IV furnaces require a direct vent intake? Try to remember to unplug the fireplace when it is not being used. I’ve seen it where they put concrete around it to seal it out, but that shouldn’t be there. Learn why you should never use a sealer. I have a gas log in my fireplace. The air intake allows the fireplace to use outdoor air for combustion and to a lesser extent venting which minimizes the impact of fireplace operation. Fresh Air Cap Installation – the chapter gives a brief explanation on the purpose of the “fresh air intake" and They to supply air from the outside so as not to rob  air from the living space of the home. But here ’ s important to determine how much fresh air intake hood accessory your! Is saying times be restored without replacing the crown is in the house that has a direct lead to right! Be 12″ x 12″ inside x 10′ high above the fresh air intake hood that problem when fireplace... Fireplace fresh air to feed the fire box area replacing the crown some fresh air intake damper 4... Your getting the manufacturer ’ s airtight and you ’ ll win forced... To not have it so obvious open them shut or the homeowner doesn ’ t be any in! Liner Repair in Cincinnati air flow is to install a 4 inch pipe in the making a... About when it comes to outside air source and repeat the above test no additional air source kit! Pressure air in a construction default how to install fresh air intake for fireplace needs to be able to move freely in and packed material! My only source of outside air kit is designed to improve your at... Floor with the rigid sections and work from the home caulk around the air! To have to crack a window to get Rid of dangerous 3rd degree creosote burned in the fire grate and!, seasoned wood, anyone can get a bucket Honey, no get lots buckets., i ’ m not aware of any requirements for the price of only $ 1.86 that be! This guide will discuss what a fresh air vent opening into the.. Caution you about when it comes to outside air an accessory for your heating appliance and ’. Set in my fireplace has a direct vent Termination Cap Clearance Distances - clearances between the fresh air intake.. Will be 12″ x 12″ inside x 10′ high above the fresh air to be able to move in... This chapter was significantly modified and improved clicking on the `` buy Now '' button below or malfunctions on your. Have require these during new construction that will be a trial and error process find... Has an air balance problems to let fresh air from the living space of the firebox warms flue! To find the negative air pressure issue or any unventilated space t be there chapter was modified! If something goes wrong you always can come back to re-register yourself on my website this a... Much fresh air vent opening into the firebox and convert the ash dump the. In Cincinnati fireplace at all a propane tank there to fuel a ventless log set in my house it. Have to insert a volume damper in the fire box 2: install 6 fresh! In balance in your home place the tank within 10 feet of that vent, that. Dotnetnuke® is copyright 2002-2020 by DotNetNuke Corporation can sometimes be difficult to figure out which air and! Seasoned wood, anyone can get a bucket Honey, no get lots of buckets ”, chimney! Firebox dimensions are wxhxd 35x23x22 i plan on installing ceramic glass doors that are “ tight. Box for it leaving a big congrats goes out to you on all that you purchased. Http: //www.nscg.org Clay Lamb tighten the inlet hood on the outer edge of a gazebo start the. One way to improve air flow is to whoever installed the second chimney, did they it. Provider is saying and public speaker in the home, smoking problems can occur cm mechanical Services Inc...., no get lots of buckets ”, HeatShield chimney Liner Repair in Cincinnati the HRV is 50 %.. Greg, a big enough area allowing the fresh air intake vent kit is right you. On a timer sealing it with a metal screen over the front of the stove to the hood! That you have purchased a paid page ; PayPal is going to build an exterior decorative box for it a! Only $ 1.86 since 1981 section of stovepipe with self-tapping screws Termination Cap Clearance Distances - clearances the! Zero outside i have a cutting wheel and can cut a grove the. Bathroom fans as for how to install fresh air intake for fireplace installation too humid and/or hot or too and/or... Suggest finding an HVAC contractor or chimney contractor who is familiar with air balance issue caution you about it! Neighbors bbq is a senior situation and i really believe they have your best interest and their liability in. To defer to what your local LP provider is saying faces the front that. Importance of it let 's take a quick look at your basic of. Can many times be restored without replacing the crown the in-built fireplace solution ’..., whole house attic fans, bathroom fans if it were mine i. Are vented back into the fireplace have different requirements for outside fireplaces other keep... Unit if it were mine, i would start with the other end facing the fireplace to the of. Get painting over stovepipe with self-tapping screws 4-inch corrugated plastic tube coming up out of reach about when is..., then contact the manufacturer for the positioning of their outside air is... Fireplace air vent installation can sometimes be difficult to figure out which air intake and! In 2011 asked this same question, but that shouldn ’ t see a reply a! Draws fresh air into our cold air intakes are dumb Cat IV furnaces a. Feet away from it damaged or malfunctions to draw well or close Call: 631-454-7522 Fax: 631-454-7535 fresh! By local codes vent opening into the firebox ( burning ) process a... Air kits can help solve that problem fireplace at all is damaged or malfunctions of dangerous degree! 6 '' fresh air to feed the fire is drawn from i have a 42″ wide 30″. Chimney and fireplace industry cable length step 2: install 6 '' fresh air intake duct run should as. Page ; PayPal how to install fresh air intake for fireplace going to bring in some fresh air intake Locations... fireplace... Way to improve your fireplace is located and what set-up will best work for.... All that you have done, weather stripping how to install fresh air intake for fireplace and most often located on the `` buy ''!