Old Fireplace vent questions

[Joe myers]

Hi all. First post.

I have a 1978 built home with a central fireplace which is built with the whole heatilator type setup. It’s actually pretty nice and really well built from what I can tell (as far as fireplaces go)

It heats the home really well when there’s a fire. At least the main floor. Granted you have to burn a crap load of wood.

The setup has 4 tubes you can see if you look up toward the flu. There are upper vents which vent hot air on each side (left and right) as well as one on the back.

Then there’s 2 low vents. Both lower vents were stuffed with insulation when we moved in. Despite being stuffed shut hot air still comes out all the upper vents.

The lower vents I assume as for cool air? There’s also a floor vent to the left of the fireplace which has insulation stuffed in it as well. Is this also a cool air vent for pulling in air? It’s hard to tell!

We have considered installing a wood burning insert but it just looks like a huge pain which would take decades to pay off.

The wood burning in the fireplace is really cozy and enjoyable. Just a little smokey sometimes.

Thanks!

Attaching some photos:

 

[begreen]

The lower vents are the cool air intakes. Fiberglass will allow some air to passbut I would remove it and clean out the intake well. You don't want fiberglass dust circulating in the house.

An insert could be installed, but if you are happy with the fireplace that's ok. Fireplaces are not clean burning or efficient, so burn dry wood and don't let it smolder.

 

[Joe myers]

thanks for the info!