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One of the fascinating things about a fireplace is that if it is not installed and used properly, it can actually make a room colder, which is where fireplace blowers come into play. For instance, with a standard open masonry fireplace, you could be noticing that your room is chillier than if a fire were being burned. The reason is that more heat is being drawn from the remainder of the house and then up the chimney. Since dampers usually do not seal well, the key is to look at fireplace blowers, which actually take the heat from the inside of the fireplace, pushing it out into the room.
As you can imagine, fireplace blowers can make any fireplace more efficient. Remember, when you burn a fire, the goal is to minimize the amount of air lost from the heated room and to maximize the amount of heat input into the room, which is why a blower can help. Now, you will always lose some degree of heated air simply because fire does not need combustion air. However, if combustion air is reduced too much, the combustion process is interrupted, which then creates creosote deposits that can be dangerous. While you might consider having the damper replaced, having a seal added for a tighter fit, or installing new fireplace doors, another option is with fireplace blowers. With this, air is distributed from the fireplace, actually reaching beyond the initial room and into other areas of the home. The blower makes the burning of your wood or gas fireplace extremely efficient and best of all fireplace blowers are not overly expensive. Therefore, for a small investment, you can enjoy a warmer winter without wasting expensive wood or gas. Remember, fireplace blowers are not made to change the combustion rate of the fire nor the quality of fire made but fireplace blowers are designed to blow air evenly around the room and into other rooms. For this reason, if you depend on your fireplace often during the winter and want to cut back operating cost while reaching warmer temperatures, fireplace blowers are an exceptional solution. These blowers are usually easy to install, plugging directly into a standard 110-volt outlet. The best option with fireplace blowers is that at the time of installation make sure an electrical junction box is installed and ready for use. If not, you can still install the blower but the process may be more challenging as well as expensive. Fireplace blowers will definitely improve the circulation of heat but if the unit you buy does not come with adequate power, you might have paid the price for nothing. Therefore, look at a number of fireplace blowers and talk to your local expert to ensure you purchase the type and size needed specifically for your fireplace. |
