Adding electric for blower for Lennox MPD3530

[dennpars]

Hello,

First time here. I have a Lennox MPD3530 that I would like to add a blower (FBK250) to. I thought this had electricity already run to it since it had an outlet in the bottom, unfortunately there aren't any wires run to the outlet.

I am thinking about running a wire from an outlet about 3 feet to the left of the fireplace to feed the outlet in the base. Before I start cutting out drywall to run the wire, how are these types of fireplaces generally roughed in? Am I likely to run into excessive frame wood between the fireplace and the outlet? Are there any other things I should be concerned with while performing this addition? Is adding the blower worth the trouble if I'm just trying to distribute the heat a bit from the fireplace to make it a bit more efficient?

I'm not sure I can get to the cutouts at the back of the fireplace to run wire through as intended, can I run through any of the other cutouts closer to the front?

TIA,

Dennis

 

[Lennox65]

Hello,

First time here. I have a Lennox MPD3530 that I would like to add a blower (FBK250) to. I thought this had electricity already run to it since it had an outlet in the bottom, unfortunately there aren't any wires run to the outlet.

I am thinking about running a wire from an outlet about 3 feet to the left of the fireplace to feed the outlet in the base. Before I start cutting out drywall to run the wire, how are these types of fireplaces generally roughed in? Am I likely to run into excessive frame wood between the fireplace and the outlet? Are there any other things I should be concerned with while performing this addition? Is adding the blower worth the trouble if I'm just trying to distribute the heat a bit from the fireplace to make it a bit more efficient?

I'm not sure I can get to the cutouts at the back of the fireplace to run wire through as intended, can I run through any of the other cutouts closer to the front?

TIA,

Dennis

Blowers don't increase efficiency or create more heat. Direct vent fireplaces use convection, where room air is drawn in at the bottom of the fireplace and warmed by the firebox and then expelled out of the top of the fireplace. A blower just moves 160 CFM of air through this cycle.
A blower will move the heated air a little further away from the face of the fireplace but not much.
To get the maximum benefit (which is not much) the blower needs to be on the high setting which creates considerable noise.

 

[dennpars]

Blowers don't increase efficiency or create more heat. Direct vent fireplaces use convection, where room air is drawn in at the bottom of the fireplace and warmed by the firebox and then expelled out of the top of the fireplace. A blower just moves 160 CFM of air through this cycle.
A blower will move the heated air a little further away from the face of the fireplace but not much.
To get the maximum benefit (which is not much) the blower needs to be on the high setting which creates considerable noise.

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll punt on it and not put the blower in. Appreciated!