I have a Napolean NZ26 fireplace - I have this hooked up to my cold air return on the furnace therefore it pulls air in reverse: sucks air out of the top vent and goes into 2, 8" duct work pipes to the furnance to distribute heat throughout the house, works pretty good. Well, I have an addition going on the house (14 by 20') in which I was going to install the pex tubing in the concrete. Here is what my thought is - what if I build a 2' tall exhaust pipe that instead of the foam, I had a pipe with a 1" cavity for water? I run the duravent pipe that is 6" ID and 8" OD - the 1" in between is a foam filled pipe. The mfg stated the exhaust temp is typically between 500F and 800F. I do not need a lot of heat transfer - my desire would be around 5000 btus, maybe a little more. My thought was to use a hydronic water pump into the concrete slab and then into a radiator with a 12volt fan system on a thermostat switch therefore it can disperse the heat if the water temp would get too hot. The radiator would also act as a pressure relief system. I understand I will be cooling the exhaust temp - I do think the upper pipes will maintain temp thus I do not believe I will have draft issues. I tend to run the fireplace on medium to high heat settings.
Any thoughts or suggestions on existing parts out there especially the flue exchanger would be helpful. I am not too keen on drilling holes into my firebox that is why i am leaning towards the exhaust flue water / heat exchanger.
Thanks
Scott
Any thoughts or suggestions on existing parts out there especially the flue exchanger would be helpful. I am not too keen on drilling holes into my firebox that is why i am leaning towards the exhaust flue water / heat exchanger.
Thanks
Scott