I got a split level with a very good fireplace insert on the bottom
floor (believe me when I say that it's BTUs are sufficient to heat the
whole house - if I could only get it circulated around the house).
When I crank up the fireplace in the den, the den gets very toasty and
the upstairs stays very cold. Yes, I know that I could turn on just
the fan of my central heat, but that seems a little silly to suck hot
air from the house to the outside unit and then back (probably a good
40 feet round trip) just to circulate the air. This is especially a
bad idea due to the minimum insulation in the area where the air
reverses course (at the heat exchanger on the outside unit) Yes, I
also am well aware that heat rises and should just "naturally" go up
the stairs, but the den would be melting before that type of heat
exchange happens to a sufficient level to heat the upstairs. All I
need is a small squirrel cage fan (i.e., quiet) that is made to fit
between the ceiling and the floor. Bathroom fans are typically too
noisey. Anyone know where I can get this beast?

Thanks.

wrote:
Yes, I know that I could turn on just
the fan of my central heat, but that seems a little silly to suck hot
air from the house to the outside unit and then back (probably a good
40 feet round trip) just to circulate the air. This is especially a
bad idea due to the minimum insulation in the area where the air
reverses course (at the heat exchanger on the outside unit)

Then that should be insulated more. I'm not sure of your systems, but it it
a good idea to use hte furnace fatn for even distribution.

Yes, I
also am well aware that heat rises and should just "naturally" go up
the stairs, but the den would be melting before that type of heat
exchange happens to a sufficient level to heat the upstairs.

True. There is convection goingon, but not enough to get even close tothe
ditribution you need.

All I
need is a small squirrel cage fan (i.e., quiet) that is made to fit
between the ceiling and the floor. Bathroom fans are typically too
noisey. Anyone know where I can get this beast?

They do make such a fan. I've not seen them in years and they are code
violations in most areas. If the fireplace starts a fire in the house, it
is quickly spread by the type of fan you describe. Even an open vent with
no fan is not permitted. It is your house, so I'm not going to police you.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

wrote:
I got a split level with a very good fireplace insert on the bottom
floor (believe me when I say that it's BTUs are sufficient to heat the
whole house - if I could only get it circulated around the house).
When I crank up the fireplace in the den, the den gets very toasty and
the upstairs stays very cold. Yes, I know that I could turn on just
the fan of my central heat, but that seems a little silly to suck hot
air from the house to the outside unit and then back (probably a good
40 feet round trip) just to circulate the air. This is especially a
bad idea due to the minimum insulation in the area where the air
reverses course (at the heat exchanger on the outside unit) Yes, I
also am well aware that heat rises and should just "naturally" go up
the stairs, but the den would be melting before that type of heat
exchange happens to a sufficient level to heat the upstairs. All I
need is a small squirrel cage fan (i.e., quiet) that is made to fit
between the ceiling and the floor. Bathroom fans are typically too
noisey. Anyone know where I can get this beast?

Thanks.


Any type of opening between floors is an opportunity for flame/smoke
spread. Putting a fan in an opening will accelerate the spread.