Expert: Steve Tavares - 11/8/2009

Question
I have a wood fireplace that is not drawing correctly. There are two openings in the chimney. One opening goes directly to the flue, the other one seem to be blocked. Does this second opening connect to the other one somehow?

Answer
I would say no. If you have two openings in the chimney then I would imagine that the other opening is for fresh air. I imagine that you have air cooled chimney installed on the unit (sort of like a triple wall) Air cooled chimney usually has a fresh air connected to the chimney.

As for not drawing well. If your in an area where the temperature is colder 5 C to anywhere under 0 C, then this is what you can usually expect from air cooled chimneys.

Hope this helps.