Comparison: Best Fireplace Blower (Updated | Dec 16th)

A fireplace blower significantly increases the heating efficiency of your fireplace by circulating warm air into the room. Instead of heat rising and escaping up the chimney, the blower pushes it out into your living space, helping to reduce your overall heating costs. It essentially turns a traditional, inefficient fireplace into a more effective supplemental heat source.

The most critical step is to measure the available space inside your fireplace’s firebox cavity, specifically the width, depth, and height of the area where the blower kit will be installed. Check your fireplace manufacturer’s manual or model number to see if they offer a specific blower kit designed for it. Universal blowers are also available, but you must ensure their dimensions and power requirements match your fireplace’s specifications.

A single-speed blower operates at one fixed rate, turning on and off with a thermostat. A variable speed blower gives you more control, allowing you to adjust the fan speed from low to high to manage both heat output and noise level. Variable speed models are generally preferred for their ability to provide quiet, background heat or powerful, rapid warming as needed.

While all blowers produce some noise, modern, high-quality models are engineered for quiet operation. The noise level is often comparable to a standard home HVAC fan. Variable speed blowers offer the advantage of running at a lower, quieter setting for gentle heat distribution, reducing the perceived noise compared to a single-speed blower running at full power.

CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute and measures the volume of air the blower can move. A higher CFM rating means the blower can circulate more warm air, effectively heating a larger area more quickly. For a standard living room, a blower with a CFM rating between 150 and 300 is usually sufficient, while larger, open-concept spaces may benefit from a more powerful blower.

If you are comfortable with basic wiring and following detailed instructions, you can likely install a blower kit yourself, as most are designed for homeowner installation. However, it involves working with electrical components near a high-heat appliance, so it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines precisely. If you are unsure, hiring a professional technician is the safest option to ensure it is installed correctly and safely.

A complete blower kit includes the fan motor, the mounting bracket or housing, and a thermostat or speed control switch. Purchasing just the motor is typically for replacing a faulty part in an existing kit. For a new installation, it is highly recommended to buy a full kit to ensure you have all the necessary components for a proper and safe fit.

Most fireplace blowers come with a heat-activated thermostat, often called a snap disc switch. This sensor automatically turns the blower on when the fireplace reaches a certain temperature (e.g., 120°F) and turns it off when the fire dies down and the unit cools. This automation prevents the blower from circulating cold air and adds to the unit’s convenience and safety.