Expert: James Ball - 10/18/2011

Question
QUESTION: Have an awesome 1947's home with a 9-10 foot long Brick wall with a great fireplace and two vents bottom & top. I read everyones question but, they do not address mine. The firebox is metal lined and heat is pushed through the vents when it is all warmed up. My question is - There are covers that are caulked on - can I remove them and clean them out and when replacing covers can I utilize 2 sm personal fans at the bottom air intake to help add air flow through and get more heat? Yeap I have glass doors and Mr Flame. PS with the vents on the side of the fireplace what kind of build - name is this?

ANSWER: Hello Tina, you have a Heatolator, type fireplace, this was very common in the 50-80's, most covers/grates where installed with the unit, if you remove them to paint then just re install the same way, if they need to be "caulked" in then use as little as possible, by the way what is a "Mr. Flame"
As far as the "personal fans" I suggest they go on the out side, or you find some at a wood stove store that will work a little better (they make a small square unit that is used in door ways to move hot air from one room to another) be sure the fireplace is clean and working properly, 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.
Hope this helps
James


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

QUESTION: MR Flame is a fireplace radiator http://mrflame.net/firerad.html Does a great job. The heatolator takes the cool air up and through this cast iron grate with tubing and yes sealed takes the air from the bottom and blows it through the cast iron. Sets Under the glass doors. I have my fireplace done every year before season. The question did not come to me til I was searching for more efficent ways to move the heat last night. Doorway Fans Thank you did not know of them. I just want to utilize as much heat as possible. I cannot thank you enough for your quick response and your awesome insite & experience.

Answer
Welcome back Tina, yes I know what MR Flame is now (I have installed them) the door fans, just did a google search,
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=door+fans&oe=UTF-8

good luck
James