Expert: Bart Ogden - 11/3/2004

Question
What is a good insert that will actually help heat the room?  What brand?  What do you know about wood furnaces?  I have thought about that option to tie into the existing ducts.  Do they really last 6-8 hours per feeding?  Thanks
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Followup To
Question -
So is it just a waste of time using the fireplace then?  Will it not help heat at all or what?  Thanks for the advice.
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Followup To
Question -
I just moved into a home with a prefab woodburning fireplace.  I was wondering if while you are burning does the draft suck air through the home, thus taking out the warm air?  Should you shut the damper a little?  Also is a fireplace with a blower better, does it help heat better?  Thanks
Answer -
Landon,

Yes, it pulls air out of the house.  

No, you should NOT shut the damper a little.  It should be either open or closed.

If the fireplace has good convection capability, then a blower will help, otherwise, it's pretty much a waste of time, money and electricity.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com!

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden
President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
www.homesafeks.com.
Answer -
Hi Landon,

Most factory-built fireplaces add little or no heat value to your home unless they are equipped with integral heat tubes.

When considering the amount of air exhausted during the operation of an open fireplace compared to the amount of heat placed back into the room, it's usually a net loss for the home.

There are several fireplaces on the market today that specifically state in the owner's manual that the fireplace is not designed to produce heat.

In most cases, although you might "feel" warmer from the radiant heat, the room is actually losing heat.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com!

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden
President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
www.homesafeks.com

Answer
Hi Landon,

Please check with www.csia.org for a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Professional who might be able to look at your particular system and recommend some solutions.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com!

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden
President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
www.homesafeks.com