I have a 2 sided fireplace (manufactured, not masonry). I am thinking about getting some glass doors to block one side, so that we can enjoy a little bit of heat. Does anyone know anything about doing this? Or perhaps, advice on how to properly, and safely block one side permanently.
getting heat from 2 sided fireplace
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WarmGuy
Minister of Fire
To expand on what enord said, think of an open fireplace as a combination space heater and exhaust fan. The worst part is the that air being exhausted up your chimney is the expensive air that you paid to have your furnace heat up.
OTOH it can be nice to sit in front of a crackling fire -- something I miss with my woodstove-type fireplace. I'll bet you won't see much difference if you close off one side, so it's probably not worth the effort.
OTOH it can be nice to sit in front of a crackling fire -- something I miss with my woodstove-type fireplace. I'll bet you won't see much difference if you close off one side, so it's probably not worth the effort.
jtp10181
Minister of Fire
If you close off one side you not take liability of the whole thing into your own hands. You are making modifications to a listed and tested system, and no one has tested these modifications for clearances or safety. Remember this is a box full of FIRE in your HOUSE. Also most ST wood units require them to be burned with either both sides closed or both open (using approved and tested doors from the mfg).
Basically... as far as getting any sort of substantial heat gain from that unit, don't hold your breath. Your best bet would be to tear the whole thing out. Then you could either make a little alcove and put in a stove, or close off one side and put in a ZC EPA approved hybrid unit.
Basically... as far as getting any sort of substantial heat gain from that unit, don't hold your breath. Your best bet would be to tear the whole thing out. Then you could either make a little alcove and put in a stove, or close off one side and put in a ZC EPA approved hybrid unit.
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