Hi my wife and I just purchased a new home. (approx 60 year old house). It has a big beautiful wood burning fireplace in the living room. The fireplace is 42" across 24" deep and approx 18" high. The fireplace has a built in metal "cage" type thing inside the hearth and the tubes of the "cage" go up and exit out the top of the hearth by use of a fan. (Like a vehicle heat exchanger) There is a flue lever inside the fireplace. The fireplace also has glass doors on front and screens.
We have had a few fires in the fireplace and I am wondering what is the best way to make it the most efficient. I have heard the heat is not the best from fireplaces, but mine is not even good ! (and it is not even winter). If you sit right in front of the fire it is hot, but it does not heat up the room. I grew up with a wood burning stove in the basement of my house and the heat was incredible from that.
I am using seasoned wood (cut at least a few years ago).
I have a few questions
1- after the fire is burning should I close the flue? I have been leaving it wide open.
2- is heat better with doors open or doors closed with fan on?
I just want to see how good the heat really can be with this before winter comes. Right now the fires are more for ambiance and testing.
Thanks
Shawn
We have had a few fires in the fireplace and I am wondering what is the best way to make it the most efficient. I have heard the heat is not the best from fireplaces, but mine is not even good ! (and it is not even winter). If you sit right in front of the fire it is hot, but it does not heat up the room. I grew up with a wood burning stove in the basement of my house and the heat was incredible from that.
I am using seasoned wood (cut at least a few years ago).
I have a few questions
1- after the fire is burning should I close the flue? I have been leaving it wide open.
2- is heat better with doors open or doors closed with fan on?
I just want to see how good the heat really can be with this before winter comes. Right now the fires are more for ambiance and testing.
Thanks
Shawn