Heatilator 3138 - want to seal up fans / vents to make it a "normal" fireplace

[Jonathan_R]

So, I'm renovating my own home in Los Angeles and for some reason I cannot fathom, the previous homeowner installed both central heating and AC, *and* a Heatilator 3138 (natural gas) when he made an addition in 1980.

The Heatilator 3138 pulls fresh air in from inside through two fans, circulates that air in a chamber that surrounds the firebox to warm that air, and then pushes that warm air into two different rooms though outlet ducts to warm those other rooms.

Things I don't need in Reseda? Supplementary heating in a house that already has central natural gas heat.


Well, the fans were loud and not really functional when I got the place, so I removed power to their switch- and then proceeded to never use my fireplace again for 15 years.

Cut to this week when I'm removing drywall in preparation for a remodel and I realize this is the perfect opportunity to just- remove the two broken fans and seal up the inlet and outlet circulating ducts (2 each) so I can have the oncoming drywall contractors seal up the outlet vents.

Essentially, I want to go from a heat circulating fireplace (with nonfunctional fans and useless vents) that I never use to a "normal" fireplace with no circulating fans or exhaust fan vents that I never use, but with an updated door set that isn't 1979 gold and no extra grills. And that I can make look like not a craptastic fireplace from 1980.

It seems like a harmless enough idea, seeing as though I am not touching anything in the fire box, not touching the front fresh air inlets, or mucking about with any combustion venting, it should be a reasonably safe thing to do.

However, I know enough to know that I don't know enough about the subtleties and safety around fireplaces and chimney venting.

I may be foolish, but I'm not stupid. I mean, not usually.

Before I call a fireplace specialist and waste his time or my money, I thought I'd see if anyone has done this before- or if anyone here has enough experience with this fireplace unit to tell me in no uncertain terms "You cheap bastard, if you do that it will be a disaster. Just get a new fireplace".

Or, ideally, tell me "That shouldn't be a problem at all. You seem to have assessed the situation correctly. Just make sure you get a professional do do this work. Don't be dumb."

Anyone?

[hearthman]

Blocking the air ducts will overheat the fireplace and probably burn the house down. It's out of warranty so why not replace it with a modern fireplace. That is, if you're even allowed to burn open hearth fires in Californiastan.