Expert: Steve Tavares - 10/30/2009

Question
I converted woodburning fireplace to gas.  The gas fireplace gives off too much heat and I cannot have it on longer than 30-45 minutes because the room(s) get too hot.  The heat will meet you at the front door.The fireplace is in a family room that is open to the kitchen and the rest of the first floor of the house. I have turned it down as far as I can but problem is still the same.  Can I open the flu to let some of the heat out the chimney.

Answer
So You had a wood burning unit that was converted to a gas one. The damper is already open to allow the venting from the gas insert to go up the chimney. It sounds like the unit you got is Heater rated (almost all inserts are). This means that the fireplace is going to generate quite a bit of heat if it is in a small area which is what it sounds like.

Unfortunately there is not a lot that you can do to dissipate the heat other than open a window to let the heat escape/cool air come in.


Hope this helps.