What are the side vents on a fireplace for?

What are the side vents on a fireplace for?

Direct vent fireplaces have two chambers. One draws fresh outdoor air into the sealed firebox for combustion, while another expels the fire’s combustion exhaust, gases, and by-products outside. The venting exits either from the top or the back of the fireplace, providing flexibility for installation.

What is the side lever on a fireplace?

One lever opens and closes the damper, allowing the smoke to come up through the flue of the chimney, while a second lever opens and closes the air vents, allowing fresh combustion air to enter and fuel the fire. This prevents smoke from going back inside the room while avoiding CO poisoning.

Why does my fireplace have a plug?

Fireplace plugs are designed to solve the problem of energy loss through chimneys. They prevent air from entering or escaping through the chimney by blocking the opening above the firebox and below the damper when the fireplace isn’t in use. A fireplace plug can be temporary or permanent.

What are the parts of a wood burning fireplace?

The main parts of a wood burning stove can include:

• Firebox.
• Air Vents.
• Air Vent Controls.
• Baffle.
• Flue Collar.
• Stove Pipe.
• Flue.
• Doors.

What do you call the front of a fireplace?

Hearth—The floor of a fireplace. The part of a hearth which projects into a room may be called the front or outer hearth.

What is the little door on the bottom of my fireplace?

An ash pit is a hole in your firebox in which old ashes can be placed. Its convenient location allows you to sweep in any ashes and embers, then seal them in by closing a small door. Ash pits are designed to withstand the heat from your fireplace while being easily accessible for the homeowner.

Does a fireplace need a fresh air vent?

Combustion Air New wood-burning fireplaces must be directly vented to the outside regardless of whether the fireplace is masonry or factory built.

Do all fireplaces have a cleanout?

Many chimneys must have a cleanout. This is a metal door on the flue that’s at least a foot lower than the lowest combustion area. Although a fireplace can also serve as a cleanout in some areas, a wood stove needs a cleanout below the area where the stovepipe enters the flue.

What is an ash pit in a fireplace?

Ash pit—a cellar under the fireplace grate where ashes collect. It’s accessed through a cleanout door in the basement or on the outside of the chimney. Ash pit cover—a grate in the floor of the firebox that allows ashes, but not wood, to fall into the ash pit below.

How often should I clean my ash pit?

If you use the burner on a regular basis, aim to clean the inside every 4-6 weeks.

How do you dispose of ashes from a fireplace?

To properly dispose of ashes or coals we recommend the following:

1. If possible, allow ashes and coals to cool in the area where you had the fire for several days.
2. When it is time to dispose of the ashes, transfer them to a metal container and wet them down.

How do I know if my fireplace is real?

How do you know whether it’s repro or original? There are a few ways to tell: Check the back of the fireplace, if the screws are new that’s a tell tale sign that the fireplace is new or some of it may have been replaced. Check the detail: On an original the detail should be crisp and clear.

Why do houses have chimneys but no fireplace?

The original brick utility chimney has been reused as the last part of the flue assembly for a newer gas furnace. If you look in the furnace closet, you will see the metal flue from the furnace entering the side of the brick chimney.

Can you put a fireplace back in?

Reinstating a fireplace cost Most people reopen an old fireplace so that they can restore it, bringing it back to life as a focal point of the room. There are a number of different things you can do to your new open fireplace, such as the below. Cast iron inserts.

How do you uncover a fireplace?

Opening up the fireplace

1. Examine the chimney breast. If the chimney has been blocked up correctly, there will be a vent in the wall just above the skirting board.
2. Removing the skirting board.
3. Uncover the hearth.
4. Tap the wall.
5. Cut the bricks.
6. Revealing the Fireplace.
7. Check the draught.
8. Chimney sweep.

Does a fireplace add value to your home?

A homeowner can often recover over 100 percent of the expenses associated with adding a fireplace upon selling their home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent.

What can I put in my empty fireplace?

16 Ingenious Ways to Style a Non-Working Fireplace

1. of 16. Re-Tile It. Old meets new in this living room by Kingston Lafferty Design.
2. of 16. Paint It Black.
3. of 16. Incorporate Logs.
4. of 16. Fake It.
5. of 16. Use a Statement Screen.
6. of 16. Display Artwork.
7. of 16. Arrange Flowers.
8. of 16. Fill It With Vintage Books.

Can you put a fireplace in a house that doesn’t have one?

If your home doesn’t have a fireplace, that’s OK: With careful planning, you can add one. As you begin your research, the first thing to know is that fireplaces generally fall into one of three categories: masonry, zero-clearance (also known as pre-fabricated or manufactured), and gas.

Where should a fireplace be placed in a house?

If you do not have central heating system consider placing your fireplace at the center, between your dining and living room. If your home has an open-space layout, this type of fireplace makes for an inviting location throughout the home and has the added bonus of keeping two spaces equally warm.

How much does it cost to add a wood burning fireplace to a house?

To install a wood-burning fireplace, the average homeowner can expect to pay between $860 and $3,500, according to HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Guide.