I built a custom heat transfer on an insert fireplace

[Willc8]

I recently installed an insert fireplace with flue in my lounge area into an existing solid brick chimney and it works really well. The only problem was the rest of the house was freezing. Im a builder by trade and was reading through the forums trying to get an idea on what kind of solution I could come up with. I wasnt completely sold on a transfer system from above the fireplace insert as I've heard if not providing enough heat it could take too much from the living space. Anyway I got creative whilst reading about some people blocking off above the insert while insulating and sending the hot air back into the room. But again I didn't just want to heat the one room really well. So I ended up drilling around 12 holes through the fire place and inserting galv steel with a diameter of 1 inch(25mm). They then go to a plywood box( plywood box is cold to the touch when operating btw)which I sealed around the outside and formed a nice seal. The ducting connects to this box and I have an inline fan which I have had wired in to an on/off switch controlling it. I wasn't sure if this was actually going to work or not and figured I could just fill the holes if it didn't or if we ever go to sell so no biggie to me. I was renovating at the time and the walls were all opened up anyway so access was easy as there is a massive cavity around the chimney. The two ducts split off and head to two different wardrobes one in a bedroom and one in the freezing hallway behind the fireplace. To my surprise and hopes it has worked fantastically there is no real smell of fire any more so than the living room and the vents are pumping out around 104 - 122 f (40-50C) heat which ends up being around 60-64f (16-18C) in the surrounding area, it is lovely. I also have a carbon monoxide alarm just incase but no issue so far. I'm curious if anyone else has done something similar or if anyone can think of anything I could do to improve this setup. I'm tempted to get a more powerful fan for those colder nights. Also thanks to those that have posted safety or great ideas in the forums as well which I am also open to hearing haha. Cheers

 

[Whitenuckler]

I recently installed an insert fireplace with flue in my lounge area into an existing solid brick chimney and it works really well. The only problem was the rest of the house was freezing. Im a builder by trade and was reading through the forums trying to get an idea on what kind of solution I could come up with. I wasnt completely sold on a transfer system from above the fireplace insert as I've heard if not providing enough heat it could take too much from the living space. Anyway I got creative whilst reading about some people blocking off above the insert while insulating and sending the hot air back into the room. But again I didn't just want to heat the one room really well. So I ended up drilling around 12 holes through the fire place and inserting galv steel with a diameter of 1 inch(25mm). They then go to a plywood box( plywood box is cold to the touch when operating btw)which I sealed around the outside and formed a nice seal. The ducting connects to this box and I have an inline fan which I have had wired in to an on/off switch controlling it. I wasn't sure if this was actually going to work or not and figured I could just fill the holes if it didn't or if we ever go to sell so no biggie to me. I was renovating at the time and the walls were all opened up anyway so access was easy as there is a massive cavity around the chimney. The two ducts split off and head to two different wardrobes one in a bedroom and one in the freezing hallway behind the fireplace. To my surprise and hopes it has worked fantastically there is no real smell of fire any more so than the living room and the vents are pumping out around 104 - 122 f (40-50C) heat which ends up being around 60-64f (16-18C) in the surrounding area, it is lovely. I also have a carbon monoxide alarm just incase but no issue so far. I'm curious if anyone else has done something similar or if anyone can think of anything I could do to improve this setup. I'm tempted to get a more powerful fan for those colder nights. Also thanks to those that have posted safety or great ideas in the forums as well which I am also open to hearing haha. Cheers

Wow I like to see some pictures of what you did. I had to try and get heat from the basement and installed some flex duct with an in line fan to suck cold air from my bedroom (added a floor register)and blow the air behind my pellet stove. Works OK or, better than nothing.