What is a Fireplace Blower?
A fireplace blower is an effective way to increase the efficiency of your home heating system. If you have an existing fireplace, you are probably already familiar with the benefit of supplementing your existing furnace or central heat system. A fireplace blower takes this one step further, by blowing the warmed air into the home.
For many people, the drawback of a fireplace is that it is large, takes up a great deal of room, and creates a mess. The warmth from the fireplace stays in the room where the fireplace is located, which can cause the disadvantages to outweigh the advantages. A fireplace blower eliminates this problem.
Adding a fireplace insert blower to your existing fireplace allows the warm air to filter through the entire home. If you already have a fireplace in your home, you can find fireplace blowers at stores that sell fireplace accessories. You can also have one professionally installed by looking on the Internet or the phone book for fireplace repair contractors.
It may seem counterintuitive to add a fan to something that is meant to heat an area. The fact is, adding a fireplace blower makes the fireplace dramatically more efficient. The blower pushes air through the home gently, so that the air does not feel cool. It also does not cool the heated air off as it moves through the home.
Deciding on the proper size for your fireplace blower is important. Buying a blower that is larger than necessary is a waste of money and energy, while a fireplace blower that is not large enough will be ineffective. Your main concern when shopping for a fireplace blower is your access to an electrical outlet. The blower requires electricity to run, so if you do not have an outlet close by, the addition may require help from an electrician.
If you do have an electrical outlet nearby, you need to purchase a fireplace blower insert that has the motor on the same side as your electrical outlet. For example, if your outlet is on the left of the fireplace, then the motor should be located on the left side of the blower. If you are having an electrical outlet installed, be sure that the outlet and motor are compatible.
Fireplace blowers are a wonderful way to warm up your home on a cold winter day. They do not increase the risk of fires or force soot or smoke into your house. Most are not visible when looking at the fireplace.
Written by Amy Hunter
