May not the best place to post the subject, sorry, but :

 

I have never lived in a house with a fireplace. Am a total ignorant on all about them. Planning to install a cast iron freestanding one on a vacation home that has a brick chimney with a ~8" duct inlet, and i wonder where does the air needed for combustion comes from ? If from the living space ; windows and doors must not be 'airtight', must allow some air to leak in to supply the burning ?

 

If very cold outside, any supply air entering would work against the desired heating.

 

If airtight, would the fumes flow freely to the chimney ?

 

How does it work? Thanks,

Miguel

well it generally assumes an available airflow from the living space. with out this then the smoke wouldn't go up the chimney as easily. it is possible you could make a vent under the fire or beside it (thinking abut it, beside would be best as the bottom one could get clogged with ash, or blow it around) that would serve the same purpose but allow the rest of the house to be reasonably well insulated(do you really want an airtight house? think about it.)