Wood fireplace with copper coil below fireplace damper

Steve Ebels_3

You're right. I went off a little half-cocked on that. I don't know how this was set up so I should withhold judgment until I do. My apology to anyone I offended.

I get a bit sideways because I'm seeing "field engineered" wood heating devices and machinations popping up all over the place again. I remember the late 70's and early 80's and how many fire runs we had due to people "lashing up" (thanks Weez) the ultimate wood heating system. Now I see history repeating itself.

Some of what I have seen in the last 6 months or so: Pex connected directly to a wood boiler with no over temp dump zone. (Guess why I got called on that one.) A DIY solar hot water system that really defies description. (suffice to say that thermopane windows filled with an unknown fluid and mirrors were involved) Pressurized heat storage tanks made out of a milk cooler with the lid welded on. (Gee, I wondered why the ends were bowed out).

Seems like I have less patience with people who do those things than I did in the past. I walked away from a job last winter and told the guy never to fire it up. They wanted me to install controls on a homemade F/A wood furnace in a shed attached to their house. One 8" flexible duct run through a basement window and connected to the duct work, no return or any other air into the 6'x6' shed. No clearance on the "wood furnace". The house burned to the ground this February with no injuries thank the Lord.

Your insurance rates as well as mine go up because people try to save money.

Mike McGraw

Wood fireplace with copper coil below fireplace damper

Hello,
We were called in to change a heating system. Part of that system contained a copper tube exchanger mounted in the fireplace. I believe the purpose is to circulate water through it when burning wood and use that heated water to heat part of the house. The system is 20+ years old. Is anyone familiar with this set up. What is the best way to pipe and control it. It previously used a surface aquastat with a Taco 3-way zone valve and a Taco 2-way zone valve. The 2-way zone valve was tied into the return of one zone in the house. I do not think that was the best way. Looking for input. The new system for the house is zoned with pumps.

Mike

jp_2

3 questions

1.) what does the mechanical inspector say?

2.) what does your companies insurance agent say when you ask how a failure will be covered?

3.) what does the home owners insurance agent say?

what you purpose is doable, to make it fail safe means lower efficiency, which in turn makes it not worth the trouble.

Charlie from wmass

remove said coil and take to scrappy and get cash. When it blows up last man to touch it is liable. they are dangerous and banned in many states including MA.

Steve Ebels_3

Please read

Please read the thread about the CO deaths and not being able to fix "stupid".

jp_2

what?

steve, aren't you being a bit harsh?

are you implying fireplaces are dangerous?

I really see no problem with such a system if done right. surely ANY system built wrong is dangerous.

do you happen to know the temperatures and heat transfer rates under fire bricks in a fireplace? I'd like to know that.

education works better than "NO don't do it!"

Bob Harper

fireplaces are not approved as boiler, pressure vessels, or containing water pipes of any kind. You cannot modify factory built fireplaces, woodstoves or any other type of appliance. Site built masonry fireplaces must be built to the code. I haven't seen any ASME rated fireplaces.

A copper coil located in the throat is just asking to cause smoke spillage. The direct flame impingement on the copper is asking for failure. Fireplaces have enough trouble drawing without restrictions placed in them.

Bad idea no matter how you slice it.
Bob

jp_2

oops, I miss read OP

sorry, i was thinking the coils was under the firebrick under the hearth? yes up near the damper bad idea. so i stick with my first post.

Al Gregory_3

Used to see alot of those years ago, I always cut them out and would never even think of trying to use it.