PE FP 30 Arch questions.

[rtros956]

We are finalizing our choice of FP.. The PE FP 30 Arch is at the top of the list. I have a couple of questions. I tried searching to see if they were asked/answered already without luck.

First question - has anyone tied one of the remote heat ducts into the return plenum of their central heating system? If so, did you use the remote fan as well or just relied on the furnace fan?

Second question - Does the below statement mean just passive vent cutouts from the room into the chase?

WARNING : THE CHASE ENCLOSURE MUST HAVE A MINIMUM 30in² (194 cm²) ROOM AIR INLET FOR EACH REMOTE HEAT KIT INSTALLED ON THE FIREPLACE. The inlets can be combined, but it must be 60in² or greater.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Drewman]

Hello rtros956! I just installed a PE FP30 Arch with craftsman surround in addition to the maximum of two remote heat kits. I did not connect them to the return but put them in the basement as a heat dump and long term we may finish the basement so it was just easier to put them down there now. I don't believe it meets code to put them into the air return but I'll have to read the manual.

Second question. Because we have two remote hit kits we have a 6x10 grill sitting just above the floor below and below our hearthstone. It is literally just a passive vent cutout. I can take the grill off and see the underneath of the fireplace and other hollow space. I hope that helps.

 

[Drewman]

manual simply says:

 

[Drewman]

I should say the remote heat kit comes with a simple 6x6 grill for the install but I purchased a 6 x 10 for the two.

 

[MAD MARK]

I should say the remote heat kit comes with a simple 6x6 grill for the install but I purchased a 6 x 10 for the two.

I am unfamiliar with what you speak of and would like to educate myself on such. Have any pictures what you are talking about?

 

[rtros956]

Thanks for the input. I don’t have any pictures. I’ll try and describe what I am trying to accomplish. The fireplace is above the return ducting for my central hot air heating system. My thoughts are to connect one of the remote heat ducts to the return air duct and use the furnace fan to circulate throughout the house. At worst it would pre heat the air going thru the furnace. At best is would moderate the temperature through out the house.

Thoughts?

 

[begreen]

There is nothing in the manual about connecting the heat ducts to the hvac return. Some fireplace specitically address this option, PE does not. I would ask PE if they are ok with this.

 

[Drewman]

I am unfamiliar with what you speak of and would like to educate myself on such. Have any pictures what you are talking about?

here is a picture I found on this board from another PE FP30 install:

 

[Drewman]

Thanks for the input. I don’t have any pictures. I’ll try and describe what I am trying to accomplish. The fireplace is above the return ducting for my central hot air heating system. My thoughts are to connect one of the remote heat ducts to the return air duct and use the furnace fan to circulate throughout the house. At worst it would pre heat the air going thru the furnace. At best is would moderate the temperature through out the house.

Thoughts?

Connecting to the HVAC seems appropriate from an air movement perspective, HOWEVER, this would need to be a manufacturer option and the FP30, from my understanding, does not have this in the manual. Like begreen said check with PE or if you have an installer check with them and they will check with PE.

You can always turn on the HVAC fan but I understand it would not be the same as directly tied to the return....

 

[Tater1985]

When i asked an hvac guy about doing something similar he said you could not do it anyhow because the air dumping in would be so warm it would potentially send the air handling unit into a lock out mode for safety. I guess the incoming air from an air return can only be a certain temp, as part of a safety measure.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[rtros956]

Thanks for all of the feedback.. This site is a great resource. We are getting our unit installed in a month or so. Will be ready for the next season.

I did contact Pacific Energy and they do not support connections into existing return ducts. They would not say why though. My guess is if you don't have an interlock that makes sure the furnace fan is running, it would over heat the fireplace.

 

[mcdougy]

Building code is what dictates if this allowable or not. In the past you were able to connect to the HOT air side of the furnace system here in ontario. The story goes that someone connected to Cold air side and somehow the filtre in the furnace ignited and burnt the house down. The result in the error of connecting to the wrong side of the furnace was any hook up is illegal.