Hi- I have a problem with my fireplace that I am not sure how to solve. I moved into a house with a Lennox wood burning fireplace in the den room. The model is "LBR 4324". From what I can tell, it is a "zero clearance fireplace" that vents out through a metal exhaust (called a B-Vent??) through the roof above it.
My issue is this: when the temperature gets very cold outside, the entire fireplace box gets VERY cold, and it makes the entire Den room cold and uncomfortable. There is also a very clear air gust flowing throughout the fireplace and into the room
At first I thought the obvious solution is that the cold air is coming down the metal chimney into the fireplace, but I fully sealed the damper shut, and the cold air was still coming in at the same rate that it was before, so the source of the cold air is NOT through the damper of the chimney. BUT WHERE ELSE COULD IT BE COMING FROM? I can only think of three other sources:
1. I have read online about fireplace having a combustion air intake vent attached to the side. Could this be the source of the cold air? If so, how can I stop it?
2. Is the fireplace possibly open to the back or the side or the bottom, so that cold air can get into the box from any of these sides?
3. Could it be that the cold metal chimney vent is making the firebox cold by touching it (i.e. by conduction)? I find this hard to be believe, because the entire firebox is freezing on cold winter days.
If you have any suggestions for what is causing this, I would greatly appreciate your help, as this condition is making my living room unbearable in the winter time!
Thanks,
Oliver
My issue is this: when the temperature gets very cold outside, the entire fireplace box gets VERY cold, and it makes the entire Den room cold and uncomfortable. There is also a very clear air gust flowing throughout the fireplace and into the room
At first I thought the obvious solution is that the cold air is coming down the metal chimney into the fireplace, but I fully sealed the damper shut, and the cold air was still coming in at the same rate that it was before, so the source of the cold air is NOT through the damper of the chimney. BUT WHERE ELSE COULD IT BE COMING FROM? I can only think of three other sources:
1. I have read online about fireplace having a combustion air intake vent attached to the side. Could this be the source of the cold air? If so, how can I stop it?
2. Is the fireplace possibly open to the back or the side or the bottom, so that cold air can get into the box from any of these sides?
3. Could it be that the cold metal chimney vent is making the firebox cold by touching it (i.e. by conduction)? I find this hard to be believe, because the entire firebox is freezing on cold winter days.
If you have any suggestions for what is causing this, I would greatly appreciate your help, as this condition is making my living room unbearable in the winter time!
Thanks,
Oliver