GUIDELINES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT FIREPLACE DESIGN

One of the most important needs for a wood burning fireplace would be fresh air which should be brought in from the outside. We like to install the fresh air system under the firebox floor with a vent close to the front of the opening which is designed to keep ashes out and glass doors cool. The outside vent should be made so you can close it to stop cold air from coming in when the fireplace is not in use. Dampers are very important we recommend the top mounting dampers which are situated on the top of the chimney usually mounted on a 12x12 clay flue liner with a stainless cable running down the flue hooked up to a bracket fastened on the firebox sidewall. The damper is spring loaded. When there is no tension on the cable the damper is open. Why I like this system best is because it stops cold air from being sucked down the chimney and it keeps the chimney warm. Hot air rises, a warm chimney draws, a cold damp chimney smokes and leaves a smoky smell to linger for weeks after a fire has been burning. The firebox walls make a big difference. Splaying them the right way which will reflect the heat in the room,. Flue sizes are important, too big will cause down drafts, too small will cause the fireplaces to smoke. Insulating fireplaces helps a lot, keeping the chimney warm. Inside fireplaces are better than outside. There are very efficient wood burning inserts and wood stoves which can be built into a chimney that use very little wood burn clean and it is a efficient way to heat your home.

Firebox under construction. The sidewalls are splayed to radiate maximum heat deflection
Fresh air is brought to the front of the firebox from outside giving the fireplace its own source air.

New firebox that has been rebuilt with fresh air vent holes in the firebox floor

Masonry gas burning fireplace built in Park Royal shopping mall for a local restaurant.

This 100 year old chimney is 55 feet tall. Sometimes Scaffolding is required to
repair and inspect the chimney.Scaffolding is carefully secured following the
strictest safety standards.