I tend to be one of those detail oriented types of people. So the fact that I bought my current house years ago without realizing that my gas fireplace couldn’t eventually be converted to a wood burning fireplace as it doesn’t have a chimney, is very surprising to everyone who knows me. Every time a winter storm comes I get very sad as I love nothing more than a wood burning fireplace roaring on a cold winter day. There are those of you, however,  who are lucky enough to not have made my mistake. And did you know that you lucky people can upgrade your wonderful wood burning fireplace to produce 60 to 65 percent more heat? You can by simply adding a fireplace insert and blower.

photo credit: Markusram

So what is a fireplace insert and blower?

A fireplace insert and blower is a device made from steel or cast iron that is placed inside an existing fireplace cavity that acts as a heating component. It improves air circulation and distribution and warms up the surrounding area more quickly and efficiently. It also eliminates the smoke entering the inside of your room with 90% lower emissions than a good old old-fashioned fireplace. Some sources say you can still get the smell of the fire, but others say it eliminates the smell completely. Personally, I’d still like a little smell. For me the wood burning smell is the best part of owning a fireplace.

So how do you install a fireplace insert and blower?

Every source that I’ve talked to says that really a fireplace insert and blower should be installed by a professional. Per requirements from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the chimney with an insert and blower installed has to be lined with steel to prevent the buildup of creosote, a byproduct of some burning woods that cause a very thick and very flammable coating that can build up inside your chimney. Lining the chimney with steel is not a great project for the average do it yourselfer.

photo credit: Marion Doss

photo credit: miss_rogue