Older fireplace with built in fan and tubes

hpcbmw · Nov 1, 2015

I just moved into a house that was built in the 1970s. It has a good size fireplace 33wx27hx24deep with some tubes that run through the back and top of it, to blow air out the top, via some cutouts in the fireplace facia. It has 2 small fans, one on each side, on the bottom of the fireplace. One of the fans still works, the other doesn't. The fan that works sounds like it's spinning pretty fast, but the airflow out the exit vents is barely noticeable.

I plan to install a wood burning stove next year (no gas or propane at the house - but dropping lots of trees on the property), so don't want to waste alot of time or money on this. I've got to save up some money for a stove and install. Since I live in California, where it's unusual to get below freezing, it's not that big of a deal.

Is it worth trying to replace the fans, or running some ducting to increase the airflow? Should I look to the fireplace grate's with a built in blower instead? If I try to replace or repair the fans, any idea how to get to the fan? Do you just chip away at the mortor that holds the rock facia in place in front of the fans? Will post pics soon.

Thanks!

hpcbmw · Nov 1, 2015

Here are some pictures: Full fireplace, top fireplace vents, bottom fireplace fan.

jatoxico · Nov 1, 2015

Off hand I don't think I'd spend any significant money if the goal is to try to get any heat out of it. Open fireplaces are mostly just good for looks so you're better off saving your money for your future upgrade.

I can't help you with what it is or how to service it but can you post some pics and explanation of what the chimney and flue consists of (e.g. exterior masonry chimney with clay tile or whatever)?

begreen · Nov 1, 2015

Looks like a heatilator unit. If these are the flat muffin fans, they're not very powerful. You might be able to replace them with a higher cfm fan from Graingers. Here is an example of what I recall seeing. Yours may or may not be a match.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FK18-Fireplace-Fan-Kit-for-Heatilator-Fireplaces-/261099287694

coldkiwi · Nov 1, 2015

I have almost the same setup, I installed an insert in mine and just left the heatilater alone.I seem to get a little heat out of the tubes just with convection

hpcbmw · Nov 1, 2015

Jatoxico- the chimney looks to be brick and mortar, but I really don't know any other details. I don't think it has any type of liner up the chimney itself, but I don't know for sure yet. The fireplace itself seems to have a metal insert - it's got metal floor, walls and ceiling. It looks like the tubes and flue are built into the metal insert. I think you guys are right that I shouldn't waste to much money on it. I'll look into an inexpensive fan that I can squeeze into the existing space, or maybe hook up an external fan and some metal tubing and just use that in place of the existing weak fans.

Toomb · Nov 2, 2015

begreen said:
Looks like a heatilator unit. If these are the flat muffin fans, they're not very powerful. You might be able to replace them with a higher cfm fan from Graingers. Here is an example of what I recall seeing. Yours may or may not be a match.

^^^^ .....this. It is a heailator. I have the same thing except mine doesn't have fans. I put an insert in mine and left the " vents " open, and I do get heat out of them.

bholler · Nov 2, 2015

if you are planning on putting a wood stove in there anyway you will need to cut at least one of those tubes so i wouldn't bother messing with it now

Mary F · Mar 3, 2019

I have a heatilator and I want to get rid of all the ducts and fans. Can I use the fireplace without them? Want to just convert the gas starter to gas logs. The size of the fireplace stone to cover all the duct work is just too big for the size of the room, its all dated and has to go.

bholler · Mar 3, 2019

Mary F said:
I have a heatilator and I want to get rid of all the ducts and fans. Can I use the fireplace without them? Want to just convert the gas starter to gas logs. The size of the fireplace stone to cover all the duct work is just too big for the size of the room, its all dated and has to go.

Well yes assuming you have a full masonry structure with a metal heatform box in it. But you would have to cut the entire metal box out and build a new one out of firebrick in its place.

Mary F · Mar 3, 2019

bholler said:
Well yes assuming you have a full masonry structure with a metal heatform box in it. But you would have to cut the entire metal box out and build a new one out of firebrick in its place.

So the box insn't usable without the ductwork? I was afraid of that. The thing is massive and we need to reclaim the space for the room so we want to have just a regular fire place. Sounds like you are saying we would have to get a new insert.

bholler · Mar 3, 2019

Mary F said:
So the box insn't usable without the ductwork? I was afraid of that. The thing is massive and we need to reclaim the space for the room so we want to have just a regular fire place. Sounds like you are saying we would have to get a new insert.

Yes with an insert you would nolonger use the tubes and ducts but you would still need the masonry structure. Post some pics and give a more detailed description of what you want

begreen · Mar 3, 2019

Mary, can you post a picture of what you have and if possible maybe a marketing picture of what you would like it to look like?

Joshpmann · Jan 21, 2021

coldkiwi said:
I have almost the same setup, I installed an insert in mine and just left the heatilater alone.I seem to get a little heat out of the tubes just with convection

Hi! Old thread but relevant question. I have this exact same setup as well. how did you install the liner to the top of the insert... wasn't this tube/piping in the way? did a 6" tube fit through it? I have an insert I want that fits the box but not sure that there's 6" of clearance and don't know if I need to drill a hole through the pipes or what. And do the tubes generate enough heat that I'd need leave a vent. I want to completely cover them over with the new facade for a nice clean look. Thoughts?

Joshpmann · Jan 21, 2021

Toomb said:
^^^^ .....this. It is a heailator. I have the same thing except mine doesn't have fans. I put an insert in mine and left the " vents " open, and I do get heat out of them.

How did you connect your insert up through /around the vents?

bholler · Jan 22, 2021

Joshpmann said:
Hi! Old thread but relevant question. I have this exact same setup as well. how did you install the liner to the top of the insert... wasn't this tube/piping in the way? did a 6" tube fit through it? I have an insert I want that fits the box but not sure that there's 6" of clearance and don't know if I need to drill a hole through the pipes or what. And do the tubes generate enough heat that I'd need leave a vent. I want to completely cover them over with the new facade for a nice clean look. Thoughts?

The tubes will need to be cut out.

Joshpmann · Jan 22, 2021

bholler said:
The tubes will need to be cut out.

So that won't hurt the structural integrity of the top to cut those out? What do I cut it with? And... after further measuring the insert I want to use I realized that though the front height, the sides, and the back technically are sufficient on the front end, they do what a cave does toward the back and so it won't fit. Can I cut into the sides a bit to make more room for the insert to slide in or will that hurt the structural integrity? Thanks for the reply

IRoque · Dec 15, 2022

Have similar setup, this evening noticed some smoke coming through an air tube on top vent area. Probably has a hole in the tube.
Any idea a repairing ?

Appreciate any input

vbu · Dec 15, 2022

IRoque said:
Have similar setup, this evening noticed some smoke coming through an air tube on top vent area. Probably has a hole in the tube.
Any idea a repairing ?

Appreciate any input

Yes slap an insert in it

bholler · Dec 15, 2022

IRoque said:
Have similar setup, this evening noticed some smoke coming through an air tube on top vent area. Probably has a hole in the tube.
Any idea a repairing ?

Appreciate any input

No there is no way to repair that box. It needs replaced or bypassed

IRoque · Dec 16, 2022

bholler said:
No there is no way to repair that box. It needs replaced or bypassed

Welp, the Ol’ Fireplace is ginning smoke out the chimney….. screen around the cap so clogged.
So I took the rusty wire brush from my welding machine setup and commenced to brush it clean.

Viola🤘🤘🤘🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

bholler · Dec 16, 2022

IRoque said:
Welp, the Ol’ Fireplace is ginning smoke out the chimney….. screen around the cap so clogged.
So I took the rusty wire brush from my welding machine setup and commenced to brush it clean.

Viola🤘🤘🤘🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Ok but if there was smoke coming out of the vent area the separation between the firebox and the hot air chamber is compromised. There is no other way for smoke to be coming out of that area. Because of that the fireplace absolutely is not safe to be used.

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