Expert: James Ball - 2/24/2011

Question
I just purchased a house, moved in last week, just had the fireplace cleaned and inspected. However, when we started a fire last night for the first time and the blower kicked on, the room became hazy and had a smoke smell to it. Fireplaces are foreign to me, especially with a blower. It was putting out good heat but I just am unsure of how to get rid of the smokey smell in the house. I did have the damper all the way open thinking that was it. The one thing I am unsure about is on the front of the insert there is a vented area on top and one on bottom where heat blows out. I had them both open. Not sure if one needs to be closed or how that works. Just looking for some help with getting the smoke smell out of the house. Thanks for any advice!

Answer
Hello Branden, did that unit come with an owners manual? do you have a tag inside with a model #? I might be able to find it for you.
What might be happening is you are getting Negative Pressure in your home (house stack effect) that is hot air rising in your home (and getting out through the attic vents, doors, lights, another fireplace (is it closed?)) your house is a better chimney than your chimney. Also kitchen/bathroom exhaust fans, clothes dryers, Radon systems and the boiler/furnace all take house air out of the house (mechanical negative pressure) Maybe open a window or door to get the fire started then once it is hot (2-4 minutes) you can close the window or door.
Trail and error until you get this fireplace to work for you, maybe close off the room from the rest of the house to use it (close doors)
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.
James