Expert: James Ball - 9/14/2010

Question
I have a older home with a fireplace which extends wall to wall.   I have a window nearby which I use for venting, my problem is this vent method also allows a large amount of cold air in the room, which reduces the heat output of the fireplace.    Is there a vent I can install thru the brick or thru the wooden wall above the fireplace to make the fireplace more effective?

Answer
Hello Jeff, you should only need to open the window "venting" to get the fire started after it is going you should be able to close the window (if this is a negative pressure issue) and if you still have smoke coming back into the room then some thing some where else is pulling air from the house, furnace returns, kitchen/bathroom exhaust, heating turning on, cloths dryer, radon systems, and the natural "hot air rising and getting out thought attic doors, and such.
you will have to find these things and make sure they are not pulling air from the house. that should solve your issue, other vents will still let cold air into the house so start with these first and let me know how you make out.
James