Inserts and blockoff plate

[marky_mark896]

Hey guys,

I was just thinking about my setup, and wondered... would a blockoff plate help me keep more heat? I have 6" SS insulated flex liner running 25' or so in an interior chimney. Am I losing much heat off the top of my insert up the chimney? If I put a blockoff plate down below the fireplace's damper would it save me a bunch of heat, especially if I cut vents in the surround to let heat in from back there? I don't know if it would or not, I'm just learning about this stuff and was wondering how much heat I may be losing off the top of the stove back in the fireplace.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[webbie]

It would save SOME heat. But with the solid front panels, much of that saved heat does not end up in the room anyway...although some does by soaking into the masonry and even into the panels.

The ultimate in heat reclaiming would be to have a tight block off and then remove - or, as you mention - screen the panels so the heat could flow out. I would guess as much a 10-15% increase in delivered heat to the room.

 

[marky_mark896]

Thanks Craig. I may have to try doing that this next season.