What is this thing?

[bluedogz]

This is in my living room, at the opposite end of the house from my Sierra Hearthstove.

The realtor that sold us the house called it a "heatilator." In our ignorance we didn't know that that wasn't what it's called.

So we're trying to figure out:

1) Who made this contraption? What's it called? (Not the fireplace, but the vent or exhaust system above it.)
2) First fire every year, it STINKS. After that, works fine at pushing heat into the room
3) If we were to just screw concrete board over the vent in this photo, could we drywall over the brick that we hate?

 

[Todd]

Lots of different variations of these so called heatalators out there. Basically it's a double wall constucted fireplace which allows warm air to vent out the top. I wouldn't cover the vent up, it may over heat. I ended up tearing mine out and replacing it with a hearth stove.

 

[begreen]

The stink is probably just dust burning off. Remove the grille and vacuum it out before the first fire.

 

[cmonSTART]

Please do not cover over the grill because as said above it depends on air circulation to cool itself and not overheat.

 

[blades]

Heatalator was a stand alone fireplace company back in the 60's into the 70's then acquired by Lennox who retained the brand name for their equipment. There is literately nothing available parts wise for any of the original equipment. Considering the age of this equipment and some of the horror stories of the various installs I have seen and heard about. it would be in your best interest to have it removed and a current unit used to replace it as well as a inspection of the flue system and possibly a liner installed.

 

[ScotO]

Please do not cover over the grill because as said above it depends on air circulation to cool itself and not overheat.

+1 here on not covering it up, and as blades said also, you may want to look at replacing that whole set-up with a modern EPA fireplace.....much safer, more useable heat, easier on wood consumption, etc.....plus they look way better and you could make the hearth look like you want it (and get rid of that grille you hate) and put up a nice mantle......just some opinions.....whatever you decide, if you keep that unit it would be very wise to have it looked at to confirm it is still safe to use and was installed properly...just for piece of mind....

 

[bluedogz]

FYI: we don't want to cover the so-called heatalator and continue running it- we want to remove the motors/fans (out of sight on the left & right of the hearth), cover the outlet with non-flammable stuff, and cover the whole shebang with drywall. The brick is so '70's it drive us nuts.