This time of year, many of us are preparing for the cold weather by fireproofing our homes. One often overlooked area is the return air near fireplace. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your return air and keep your home cozy all winter long.
The Importance of return air near your fireplace
When you have a fireplace, it is important to have a return air inlet near the fireplace. This will help ensure that the room does not become too negative in pressure, which can cause problems with the fire. It also allows for fresh air to be drawn into the room, which is necessary for combustion.
If you have a direct vent pipe, it is especially important to have a return air inlet near the fireplace. This is because the direct vent pipe will be drawing air from the same room as the fireplace, and if the room is not air tight, you may find that the fire does not stay lit.
The return air inlet can be located in the wall near the fireplace or in the floor near the hearth. It is important to make sure that it is not located too close to the fire, as this could cause problems with combustion. It is also important to make sure that it is not located too close to any doors or windows, as this could cause cold air to be drawn into the room.
If you have a masonry fireplace, it is especially important to make sure that your return air inlet is located correctly. This is because masonry fireplaces tend to produce a lot of exhaust gases, and if these gases are not vented properly, they can build up and cause negative pressure in the room.
If you have any fuel-burning appliances in your home, such as gas logs or wood stoves, it is important to make sure that they are properly vented. If they are not vented properly, they can also cause negative pressure in the room.
If you have a forced-air heating system, it is important to make sure that your return air duct is properly sized. If it is too small, it will not be able to draw enough air from outside of your living space and could cause problems with your furnace.
When you are choosing a location for your return air inlet, it is important to consult with an up-to-date source on building codes. This will ensure that you are compliant with all of the requirements for your area.
How to get the most out of return air near your fireplace
When it comes to your return air, you want to make sure you are getting the most out of it, especially if you have a fireplace.
Here are some tips on how to do that:
-If you have a fresh air source, such as a direct vent pipe, make sure it is in the same room as the fireplace. This will help ensure that the fireplace is getting enough combustion air.
– Make sure your fireplace and chimney are air tight. This will help to prevent exhaust gases from entering the living space and will also help to keep the cold air out.
– If you have an air handler, make sure the return air duct is properly sealed. This will help to ensure that the air handler is drawing air from the outside and not from the inside of the house.
– If you have a masonry fireplace, make sure it is vented to the outside. This will help to prevent negative pressure in the room and will also help to keep the firebox cool.
– If you have a fuel burning appliance, such as a gas log or wood stove, make sure it is properly vented to the outside. This will help to prevent exhaust gases from entering the living space and will also help to keep the appliance from over heating.
For more information on return air near fireplaces, check out this up-to-date source: [https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters&s=bldrs_lenders_raters_new_homes&page=bldrs_lenders_raters_new_homes_return_air](https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters&s=bldrs_lenders_raters
Benefits of return air near your fireplace
The benefits of having return air near your fireplace are many.
One of the main benefits is that it provides fresh air for combustion. Many fireplaces are located in tight quarters where there is not enough surrounding fresh air to support the fire. The fireplace needs oxygen to burn, and if there is not enough fresh air available, the fire will smother and go out.
Another benefit of having return air near your fireplace is that it will help to keep the living space around the fireplace cooler. When a fireplace is operating, it emits hot exhaust gases. If these gases are allowed to build up in the room, they can make the room uncomfortably warm. By having return air in the room, some of these hot gases will be drawn back into the fireplace and exhausted up the chimney, helping to keep the room cooler.
Return air near a fireplace can also help prevent negative pressure in the room. When a fuel-burning appliance, such as a stove or furnace, is operating, it draws air from the surrounding area to support combustion. This can create a negative pressure in the room, which can cause dangerous exhaust gases to be drawn back into the living space instead of being vented outdoors. By having return air in the room, some of the air that is being drawn into the appliance will be supplied by the return air ductwork, helping to reduce negative pressure and the risk of backdrafting.
If you have a masonry fireplace or a factory-built fireplace with a vented gas log set or wood stove insert, you should have return air ductwork installed in order to ensure proper ventilation and safety. Masonry fireplaces typically have a built-in chase that houses the flue liner, so installing return ductwork is fairly easy. Factory-built fireplaces usually have a cabinet that encloses the firebox and conceals both the combustion chamber and flue pipe. In order to install return ductwork in these types of fireplaces, you will need to cut an access hole in the back of the cabinet so that the ductwork can be routed through it. It is important to use an up-to-date source for your building codes when modifying any part of your home’s heating and cooling system in order to ensure that your modifications are safe and up to code.
If you have any questions about installing return duct work in your home, please consult with a qualified HVAC contractor or heating professional before proceeding with any work onyour own.
How return air near your fireplace can improve your home’s comfort level
Most people are not aware that their fireplace is actually a huge source of fresh air for their home. Every time you light a fire, the fireplace pulls in air from outside to feed the combustion process. This air comes through the same flue or direct vent pipe that carries the exhaust gases out of your home.
If you have an airtight or living space that is not well-ventilated, you may notice that your furnace or air handler runs more often than usual. This is because the return air ducts are being used to draw air into the system, rather than supplying fresh, outside air. The return air inlets should be located in a room that is adjacent to the room with the fireplace. If they are not, you may need to install additional duct work.
Masonry fireplaces are notorious for being drafty and allowing cold air into your home. If you have a gas log set or other fuel-burning appliance installed in your fireplace, it is important to make sure that it is properly vented. Many factory-built and mobile home fireplaces are not up to code and do not provide adequate ventilation. If you are not sure whether your fireplace is properly vented, you can check with your local building department or ask a professional chimney sweep for an inspection.
A draft hood can also be installed on your fireplace to help improve ventilation. Draft hoods are available at most hardware stores and can be easily installed by following the instructions on the packaging. You can also find instructions for installing draft hoods online or in do-it-yourself manuals.
Tips for keeping return air near your fireplace clean and functioning
When you have a fireplace, you need to make sure that you have good return air near the fireplace. Otherwise, your fireplace will not function properly. Here are some tips for keeping return air near your fireplace clean and functioning:
-Make sure that you have a fresh air source for your fireplace. This can be from outside or from another room in your house.
-Your combustion air should be coming from the same room as your fireplace. If it is not, then you need to make sure that your room is air tight.
-If you have a direct vent pipe, make sure that it is coming from the outside of your living space.
-Your air handler should be able to draw air from the return air duct near the fireplace.
-Make sure that your return air inlets are clear and unobstructed.
-If you have a masonry fireplace, make sure that your chimney is lined and up to date.
-If you have a fuel burning appliance, such as gas logs, in your fireplace, make sure that it is vented to the outside.
-If you have a forced air furnace or wood stoves, make sure that they are vented to the outside.
For more information on how to get the most out of your return air near fireplaces, check with your local building code department or an up to date source such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
