r/Fireplaces • u/SomeConsequence117 • 5d ago

Need help understanding this setup

I bought a house built in 1978 and am trying to understand the setup of this fireplace. Specifically, is this a wood burning insert that was installed at some point, is this a chimney liner, and do the louvers serve any purpose if the insert was installed. They don’t appear to be visible from the inside. This is my first house with a fireplace so any help is appreciated.

Photos:
https://imgur.com/a/VAMizhv

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u/WoodlandDirect 5d ago

In a bygone era these were very popular. It's not quite a prefab fireplace and it's not quite a masonry fireplace. The firebox (the area where the fire happens) is surrounded by a plenum. The vents allow air to pass through that plenum. The plenum air should not be mixing with your combustion air. In theory, your fire heats up your firebox. Your firebox radiates heat into the surrounding plenum. The vents allow that heated air to pass into your living space.

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u/Alive_Pomegranate858 4d ago

The good people at Woodland Direct are correct (as usual).

I'll also add that it does look like you have a modern stainless steel liner in there, which would be a good thing. I would also suggest having the system swept and performing a Level 2 inspection. Very often these metal fireboxes are compromised. Years of age, use, neglect, water entry, etc cause issues. Rust, holes, etc which can be very dangerous as the exhaust fumes can recirculate into the home through the plenums mentioned.