Fresh air kit question for future upgrade

[Dissonance]

Hello! This is my first post here. I learned an incredible amount reading on your forum today. The closest fireplace store and chimney sweep are an hour from my home. They have been somewhat helpful, but they haven't been able to answer all my questions. I'm hoping to get some advice here.

My house has a zero-clearance manufactured fireplace in the main living area of the house, which is in the basement. (I attached some pictures.) The fireplace is enclosed in plywood with a faux brick covering. The opening is about 42" by 31". My house was built in 1908, but I think the fireplace was installed in the 1970s. The inspector when we bought the house and chimney sweep said it's up to code.

Our normal routine is to build a fire before bed while we read, listen to music, or watch tv. The fireplace isn't efficient. It produces adequate heat, but goes through wood quickly. The house is large, and the temperature at the back of the house drops when we build a fire.

The master bath is just above between the fireplace and outside wall. In two weeks, this bath is going to be gutted for a remodel. This will be the only opportunity to put in a fresh air duct. Over the summer, I would like to put in a wood burning insert rated for zero-clearance fireplaces.

I've been looking on many manufacturers' websites. I've contacted some of them directly, but the information I'm seeking is eluding me. Is there a wood burning insert rated for zero-clearance manufactured fireplaces with a hole for a fresh air kit?

 

[begreen]

Hello! This is my first post here. I learned an incredible amount reading on your forum today. The closest fireplace store and chimney sweep are an hour from my home. They have been somewhat helpful, but they haven't been able to answer all my questions. I'm hoping to get some advice here.

My house has a zero-clearance manufactured fireplace in the main living area of the house, which is in the basement. (I attached some pictures.) The fireplace is enclosed in plywood with a faux brick covering. The opening is about 42" by 31". My house was built in 1908, but I think the fireplace was installed in the 1970s. The inspector when we bought the house and chimney sweep said it's up to code.

Our normal routine is to build a fire before bed while we read, listen to music, or watch tv. The fireplace isn't efficient. It produces adequate heat, but goes through wood quickly. The house is large, and the temperature at the back of the house drops when we build a fire.

The master bath is just above between the fireplace and outside wall. In two weeks, this bath is going to be gutted for a remodel. This will be the only opportunity to put in a fresh air duct. Over the summer, I would like to put in a wood burning insert rated for zero-clearance fireplaces.

I've been looking on many manufacturers' websites. I've contacted some of them directly, but the information I'm seeking is eluding me. Is there a wood burning insert rated for zero-clearance manufactured fireplaces with a hole for a fresh air kit?

That z.c. has been badly modified. It no longer looks safe to burn in or to put an insert in.

 

[bholler]

Hello! This is my first post here. I learned an incredible amount reading on your forum today. The closest fireplace store and chimney sweep are an hour from my home. They have been somewhat helpful, but they haven't been able to answer all my questions. I'm hoping to get some advice here.

My house has a zero-clearance manufactured fireplace in the main living area of the house, which is in the basement. (I attached some pictures.) The fireplace is enclosed in plywood with a faux brick covering. The opening is about 42" by 31". My house was built in 1908, but I think the fireplace was installed in the 1970s. The inspector when we bought the house and chimney sweep said it's up to code.

Our normal routine is to build a fire before bed while we read, listen to music, or watch tv. The fireplace isn't efficient. It produces adequate heat, but goes through wood quickly. The house is large, and the temperature at the back of the house drops when we build a fire.

The master bath is just above between the fireplace and outside wall. In two weeks, this bath is going to be gutted for a remodel. This will be the only opportunity to put in a fresh air duct. Over the summer, I would like to put in a wood burning insert rated for zero-clearance fireplaces.

I've been looking on many manufacturers' websites. I've contacted some of them directly, but the information I'm seeking is eluding me. Is there a wood burning insert rated for zero-clearance manufactured fireplaces with a hole for a fresh air kit?

It doesnt look right at all to me is the id tag still in it? If so what is the make and model

 

[Dissonance]

It doesnt look right at all to me is the id tag still in it? If so what is the make and model

It says Woodside Factory Built Fireplace by Underwriters Laboratories model no. W-42.

 

[RobbieB]

It looks like all of the refractory has been removed.

 

[Dissonance]

It looks like all of the refractory has been removed.

By refractory, do you mean the outer layer? It's all there (see attached pictures). The back is cracked, though.

 

[RobbieB]

I can see it's still on the back, fooled me as it's usually same kind of "faux brick" pattern.

 

[Woodwringer]

Most of the UL listed "zero clearance" fireplaces are listed as a system, and only components tested in the original listing are approved for use. That means that most, if not all wood stove inserts cannot be used. One of the problems is that if you block the ventilation openings between the firebox and the outer shell of the fireplace in the course of installing the insert, it can result in the outer shell overheating and starting a fire. You may want to consider tearing it all out and replacing it with a woodstove and insulated flue, with proper clearances to combustible surfaces.

 

[Dissonance]

Most of the UL listed "zero clearance" fireplaces are listed as a system, and only components tested in the original listing are approved for use. That means that most, if not all wood stove inserts cannot be used. One of the problems is that if you block the ventilation openings between the firebox and the outer shell of the fireplace in the course of installing the insert, it can result in the outer shell overheating and starting a fire. You may want to consider tearing it all out and replacing it with a woodstove and insulated flue, with proper clearances to combustible surfaces.

I think if I find an insert that would work, ultimately it won't be that great of a setup. I think you're right in that I should put in a woodstove. Thank you all for your assistance! I got the information I need. Since many woodstoves have holes for fresh air kits, I'm going to put one in the floor in the bathroom above when we gut the room later this month.