Fireplace ignorance

[borapiel]

Hi all, I'm new to the whole fireplace situation and have a few (hundred) questions. We bought a foreclosed home a few years ago and have been slowly trying to make it better. It has a fireplace built in a corner of the kitchen/breakfast area. We have never attempted to use it and basically just let it stay in its corner out of the way collecting dust. This year, we are ready to get it fired up and try to alleviate some of the heating costs. I know little about fireplaces. I've looked it over and realize that it needs a good cleaning. I think a good chimney cleaning should probly be done. Other than that, I know nothing. I noticed a label inside that tells me it is a Temco insert, model TLC 363. When I tried to look for info online, it appeared to have glass doors originally. On the side of the fireplace, I also noticed a plug, I assume for a blower of some sort. My first set of questions are:
1) Do I need the doors to make this thing safely operational?
2) Do I need to get one of them fire log holder thingies?
3) What exactly does the plug do?
4) Would one of them CSL cleaning logs be sufficient for the chimney?
5) If I need doors, do they need to be specific to the fireplace, or can the be universal generic doors? Do they
make universal generic doors?

I've included a couple of pics and will provide more if needed. Thanks in advance to anyone that can coach me through this little fireplace for dummies session.

 

[bholler]

get a sweep out to clean it and inspect it also tell them the model number when you call they should be able to look up the manuals and tell you if it needs the doors or not at the least you need a screen and if the doors are required they need to be the doors from temco. I have no idea what that plug is for i have never seen anything like that definatly not by the book.

 

[begreen]

Model is a Temco TLC363. It's a very standard unit. Here is the manual: (broken link removed)
There should have been side curtains for spark screening with the unit. I don't think the blower if there is one, is stock. It looks jerry-rigged.

 

[Grisu]

This year, we are ready to get it fired up and try to alleviate some of the heating costs.

Be also aware that such a builder-grade fireplace insert will do little to reduce your heating cost. You will get some radiant heat sitting in front of it but at the same time it will suck a whole lot of heated room air out of the house and send it up the flue. Efficiencies for a standard fireplace are usually below 20% and can even go negative meaning you are losing more heat than you are gaining from burning the wood.

 

[Lance]

I had a Tempco fireplace. tore it out several years back. The best thing I ever did.


To a Quadrafire 3100 ACT


To Englander 30NC


Cat is saying wheres my fire?

 

[Lance]

She is warm and toasty

 

[Snotrocket]

You might as well start taking some measurements not to see what insert/stove you want to put in there.

That old fireplace is just a waste of perfectly good firewood.

 

[Lance]

You can not put a insert in the Temco, best thing to do is tear down and start from scratch.

 

[bholler]

You might as well start taking some measurements not to see what insert/stove you want to put in there.

20. WARNING: THIS FIREPLACE IS NOT INTENDED TO
BE USED WITH ANY COMPONENTS OTHER THAN
THOSE SPECIFIED IN THIS MANUAL (i.e.FIREPLACE
INSERTS, BLOWERS, GLASS DOOR EXTENSIONS,
HEAT CIRCULATORS). USE OF THESE ITEMS
COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD.

No insert according to temco's instructions

 

[Snotrocket]

20. WARNING: THIS FIREPLACE IS NOT INTENDED TO
BE USED WITH ANY COMPONENTS OTHER THAN
THOSE SPECIFIED IN THIS MANUAL (i.e.FIREPLACE
INSERTS, BLOWERS, GLASS DOOR EXTENSIONS,
HEAT CIRCULATORS). USE OF THESE ITEMS
COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD.

No insert according to temco's instructions

No manufacturer is going to recommend using any other components with their components.

He can still use the flu.


Rip out that Tempco, extend the hearth, and put in a free standing stove. Problem solved.

 

[bholler]

He can still use the flu.

No he cant it is not aproved for a wood stove it is only ul 103 listed not ul 103ht. That and the flue is usually supported by the fireplace so when you pull out the fire place there is nothing to support the flue

No manufacturer is going to recommend using any other components with their components.

Heatilator has a model they allow it now but most do not allow it but that is a very controversial issue in the industry

 

[borapiel]

I had a Tempco fireplace. tore it out several years back. The best thing I ever did.

Lance, you've inspired me. Time to draw up a plan B, Thanks!!

 

[bholler]

I think that is the best plan honestly it will serve you much better

 

[Grisu]

Lance, you've inspired me. Time to draw up a plan B, Thanks!!

Great plan going forward. In the mean time get several cords of wood split and stack it in a place with lots of wind and sun exposure. No matter which stove you get you will need dry wood to have it function properly.

 

[Lance]

Truth be known, I love wood heat, so much better then LP and cheaper. The stove paid for itself the first year.

 

[Lance]

Lance, you've inspired me. Time to draw up a plan B, Thanks!!

You should be able install your chimney right where the old chimney runs thru the roof.