Expert: James Ball - 11/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: Please forgive me if this question has been asked before.  I did a quick search but my searching skills often leave something to be desired.

We live in a 3 year old house which has a "Heat and Glo" gas fireplace in the family room.  We have found that in the Winter a considerable amount of cold air is coming out the bottom of the fireplace - enough cold air to make the slate in front of it very cold, as well as the whole floor of our family room cold as well.  I'm sure the fact that we have hard wood in that room for flooring is not helping the cause.  This issue has been present since the first Winter following our Springtime move-in.  I recently noticed that there is also air coming in from the outlet, to the right of the mantle where the fireplace on/off switch is located.   I'm not sure if this information helps at all but on the siding outside directly behind the fireplace wall there is a small silver "box" type thing.  Excuse my lack of technical lingo - that is the only way I could think to describe it.

Is this something that is to be expected with a gas fireplace?  Or does our fireplace lack proper insulation?  If we could just lack proper installation who would I contact to come out and fix such a thing?  This issue makes Winter in our family room quite uncomfortable - especially for my 3 year old who spends a great amount of time down on that floor playing.  

Any feedback is much appreciated!
Kelly

ANSWER: Hello Kelly, What is happening is you are getting Negative Pressure in your home try this sit in front of the fireplace, open the damper, does  cold air come down the flue? if so open a few windows and a door and see if it is corrected (give it a few minutes)if the cold air stops coming down the you can find where this air is getting out or up in your home. I would also have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have.
keep me posted
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for the quick response, James.  Our style of fireplace does not have a flue not a damper as we do not have an actual chimney.  I've attached a picture to show what I am trying to explain.

THANKS!
Kelly

Answer
Welcome back Kelly, ok now I see what you have and it called a "direct vent" gas fireplace. and the negative pressure is probably still happening. you need to seal/insulate the chase (box around the fireplace) to be sure your not getting out side air into it.
I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have.
keep me posted
James