Expert: James Ball - 2/12/2011

Question
my house was built in 1967 in Oklahoma. we tried burning wood in our fireplace a few times but with several logs burning you couldn't feel any heat. So i bought a wood burning insert from a guy in the paper, and put it in. Some people told me that it should work without re-lining the chimney. well it smoked real bad so i could really tell if it would work. I have found out researching online that i need to re-line my chimney. My question's are: If I re-line my chimney and connect it to the insert will it work right. This insert is an older model Lopi it does not have a blower motor on it at all, will it work? Did they make them without blower motor's? My fireplace has blower built in it, will that blower work with the insert? thank you for your time.

Answer
hello john, you should start with your local building department for what you can do. and it sounds like you have a pre fab fireplace and if so they are purely decretive and you can not install an insert in one and all inserts much be lined. Do not use that insert in that fireplace
contact a local certified sweep (csia.org) and have them take a first hand look
Sorry
James