Installing an insert into a heatilator style fireplace

[GeeWizMan]

I have recently been told that what I have in our house is an old heatilator fireplace. It has 4 vents, 1 near each of the corners of the fireplace where heat is suppose to come out and where blowers can be installed. We would like to install a wood insert into this fireplace and I was wondering if anyone knows anything about whether or not it is something that can be done? Thanks for your help.

gwm

 

[reed102]

I just installed an insert in my fireplace that has a heatilator clone. It is a large metal box with 3 tubes that are to blow thru spaces in the brick above the fireplace opening. It was a total waste of wood to burn it and expect any amount of heat in the house. I cut out one of the tubes and was able to run a 6" liner up and thru the damper. I blocked off the cut off tube with metal and furnace cement. Of course I installed a blockoff plate. After it was all done I wish I had just cut the whole top of the metal box out. Running the liner was a bear. Try the search function I know I got information off this site from guys who had done the same type of install.

 

[zzr7ky]

Hi -

I did it this summer. I cut the sloped portion of the firebox and ran rigid liner staight up. I bolted the damper lever shut so no additional damper block off was not needed. I installed a VC Resolute Acclaim inthe front of the FP opening. I'm happy with it. Burning 24 around the clock now that it's cold.

I used a 4.5" cutoff wheel, a sawzall, and an electric hammer drill to get though the smoke shelf area. I drilled a hole and verified that everything lined up correctly, marked the hole using a tamplate I made witha large Coffee can, and it went well. I will use a torch to cut the next one though. I cut the inner layer (1/4" thick!) to about 11" widex18" tall. Then cut the oval clearance hole for the rigid pipe about a 1/4" oversized. The outer jacket was 1/8".

It may help to measure and lay out the whole thing on paper.

Good luck!
Mike P

 

[webbie]

SEE:
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/wiki/Heatform/

These are similar to masonry fireplaces in terms of the possible uses.

 

[Rich M]

We have a 50's style heatilator fireplace like yours, insert and chimney liner went right in and work great.

 

[bodeen]

I did the same thing. My heatilator did not have the heat pipes to deal with. It just circulated air around the steel box. Smoke shelf rotted out. Installed a Jotul with 6" liner and block off plate. Works great. Installation was straight forward.

Bodeen

 

[GeeWizMan]

Thank you all for your assistance.

gwm