Expert: James Ball - 11/16/2009

Question
Hello James,

 My wife and I just purchased our first home and are preparing to move into it this week.  In our home, like most of the newer homes built today, is a direct vent gas fireplace.  We would like to swap it out to a wood burning fireplace insert and were wondering if this can be done by venting out the direct vent and running a chimney up the side of the house? We are not if this would work or does it have to be a straight chimney up. We would rather have a wood fireplace and gas is too expensive anymore.  Thank you.

             Sincerely,
             Matthew Smith

Answer
Hello Mathew, you must replace every thing in order to burn wood, the firebox, wall pass through and install a new chimney. 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 they should be able to help.
You can also check your local wood stove store.
Hope this helps
James