[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Fireplace questions

[Lawrence Lile]

Putting the fireplace on the exterior wall usually results in an "energy
nosebleed" where the uninsulated brick connects the interior to the
exterior.  

If your ventilation system is set up to handle outside air, then Rumford
has a point. If the combustion air is filtered, and heated by the
furnace, and balanced, then that is good.  In most houses, this is not
the case. Very few houses actually have an outside air intake anywhere
in the system. Combustion air is drawn in through every crack in the
house, resulting in energy loss and condensation issues.  I'd recommend
using a heat recovery heat exchanger in any case, you can bring in a lot
more fresh air that way and control combustion air more reliably. 

I am running combustion air directly from outside to my wood stove and
any other fuel burning appliance, except the cooking stove.  I don't
agree with Rumford on this point. 

 
 
Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Ian
Remmler
Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 10:52 AM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] Fireplace questions
Importance: Low

Hi,

I have had a hard time finding information about fireplaces in
green building.  I know most fireplaces just suck out warmth,
but I would go with a Rumford fireplace, which is supposed to be
pretty efficient.  I'm in the Austin, Texas area, so I don't
need to heat the house with it; I just like sitting by a nice
fire!  So as long as there is no net energy loss, I'm fine.
With those assumptions in mind:

1. I've read that bringing in outside combustion air is the only
way to go, but rumford.com indicates that due to the Rumford's
efficiency, it's unnecessary, and that your ventilation system
should take care of bringing in makeup air.  Who's right?

2. Assuming rumford.com is right on question 1, would it be
better to put the fireplace in the interior, or would an
exterior wall be OK assuming everything is well sealed,
insulated, etc.?

Thanks for any insight,
    - Ian.

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