Supplying air to the fireplace from the outside – why should you choose this option?
The heating system’s solution that uses the air intake from the outside of the building is much more problem-free in everyday use than air intake to the fireplace from inside the room, which significantly reduces the heating costs by lowering draft and heat loss from home. Additionally, a crucial aspect of connecting the outside air supply is the improvement of the chimney draft, which affects the quality of combustion. The combustion process in the fireplace is much better if the air supply is connected from outside the building. When choosing this solution, i.e. a stove with air intake from the outside, you should remember a few rules at the stage of fireplace assembly or even at the design of the heating system. What is going on?
A fireplace with air intake from the outside must have a closed combustion chamber – only such a construction will provide all the advantages of using this solution.
The air inlet should be secured with a grill so that no rodents or other small animals and debris get into the duct.
It is worth that the inlet should be placed on the windward side of the house – that is where air movement occurs as a standard. If the vent is located on the leeward side, then in some situations, there may be a problem with insufficient air supply to the firebox.
Summary
The supply of fresh air to the fireplace combustion chamber from outside the building is necessary so that the combustion process does not use air from inside the house. In addition to the possibility of extraction from the outside, the fireplace must have a closed combustion chamber (you should make sure about this fact before installing the entire structure – ask the seller about it, or check the provisions in the fireplace manual). The most important thing is that the fireplace with the air intake from the outside ensures the safety of the household because there is no possibility of the exhaust gases flowing back into the room. If there is no air intake from the outside, the smoke may flow from the chimney into the room.
External Air Intake In Pictures:
The Stove connected directly o the external air throughout the wall.
The Stove is connected to the exterior air through the duct under the floor.
The Stove is connected to the outer air throughout the chimney shaft.
Old Installation. The Stove is without an external air intake, continues to waste fuel, money and hot air from the room and creates drafts like an old open fireplace.