DIY Wood Fireplace Heat Exchanger

[Shep1966]

Trying to think of ways to capture more heat from our fireplace. I have an old blower and was thinking of hooking it to some tubing running through the fire box. Just want to use the proper tubing so I don't have a gas off issue. Has anyone used flexible stainless exhaust tubing used for diesel heater? Thanks!

 

[bigealta]

Those things usually don't really help that much.
If you can get a woodstove or insert in there you would be much better.

 

[stoveliker]

I agree with the above, but if you want to do this, do make sure it's stainless and not galvanized.

 

[bigealta]

I agree with the above, but if you want to do this, do make sure it's stainless and not galvanized.

Yup Galvanized pipe would make poison fumes that,.... Yup can kill you.

 

[EbS-P]

Anything you do will increase efficiency by less than 10%.
So just burn more wood.
Start it sooner burn it longer. When that get old get an insert.

 

[Shep1966]

We had one in the basement that was commercially made that threw out a ton of heat. I thought I could create a DIY one. Maybe I'll just skip it. Thanks for the responses!

 

[bigealta]

We had one in the basement that was commercially made that threw out a ton of heat. I thought I could create a DIY one. Maybe I'll just skip it. Thanks for the responses!

There are good used stoves and inserts out there. Just have to look often and be picky for ones in very good condition.