Choosing the Right Air Transfer Kit for Your Fireplace

Create Comfort and Efficiency in Every Room – ModernMechanical.co.nz

Fireplaces are a wonderful source of warmth during New Zealand’s colder months, but without proper airflow, that heat often gets trapped in a single room. That’s where air transfer kits come in. These simple yet effective systems help distribute warm air from your fireplace throughout your home, improving comfort, reducing energy bills, and ensuring even heating.

At ModernMechanical.co.nz, we offer high-performance air transfer kits that are ideal for homes of any size. Whether you’re living in a cozy two-bedroom or a spacious four-bedroom home, we’ll help you choose the right solution.

What Is an Air Transfer Kit?

An air transfer kit is a fan-driven or passive duct system that moves warm air from a heated room (typically where your fireplace or wood burner is located) into other rooms of your house. It usually consists of:

• A ceiling or wall-mounted intake grille
• Flexible insulated ducting
• An in-line fan (for active kits)
• Outlet grilles in the target rooms

The result? A more even temperature across your home, better energy efficiency, and reduced reliance on electric heaters.

Choosing the Right Kit for Your Home Size

🔹 For 2-Bedroom Homes

A single-fan, two-room kit is usually sufficient. You can install one outlet in each bedroom to pull warm air from your living area. Choose a low-noise fan (around 150-200 mm diameter) for quiet operation, and insulated ducting to prevent heat loss.

Recommended product:

Modern Mechanical 2-Room Air Transfer Kit – 200mm fan, insulated ducting, low-noise

🔹 For 3-Bedroom Homes

A 3-way kit with a higher airflow capacity (250mm fan) is more effective. This setup pulls warm air and distributes it evenly to all bedrooms. Consider using a fan with adjustable speed to fine-tune comfort based on the room distance and heat level.

Recommended product:

Modern Mechanical 3-Room High-Flow Kit – 250mm fan with variable speed controller

🔹 For Larger Homes (4+ Bedrooms)

Larger homes benefit from multi-zone systems, where airflow is controlled per room. You may need additional fans or a duct splitter box to avoid pressure drops. We offer custom kits on request – just tell us your layout and heating source.

Need help choosing? Contact us here and our team will recommend the perfect setup.

How to Install an Air Transfer Kit

While a certified installer is always recommended for safety, most kits are DIY-friendly and include:

Intake Grille Placement

Install the intake grille near the ceiling in the fireplace room, where warm air rises.

Fan and Ducting

Mount the fan unit in the ceiling cavity. Use insulated ducting to run the warm air to target rooms.

Outlet Grilles

Install these high on the wall or ceiling of each room where heat is needed.

Power Supply

Fans plug into a standard socket in the roof cavity. Use a thermostat controller for automatic operation.

Pro Tip: Keep duct runs as short and straight as possible to maximize efficiency.

Why You Need Good Air Recirculation

Air transfer kits work best when there’s balanced airflow – meaning warm air can move into a room, and cooler air can escape out. This avoids pressure buildup and keeps air flowing smoothly.

The Role of Door Grilles

When bedroom doors are closed, warm air enters through the ceiling duct but can’t circulate unless there’s a return path. That’s why door grilles or undercut doors are essential.

Benefits of Door Grilles:

• Allows cool air to return to the fireplace room
• Prevents pressure buildup in bedrooms
• Enables continuous air movement
• Enhances system efficiency

We recommend installing a door grille or ensuring a 15–20 mm undercut on internal doors for best performance.

Shop Air Transfer Kits at ModernMechanical.co.nz

We stock a range of air transfer kits, grilles, ducting, and accessories tailored for New Zealand homes. Our products are tested for:

• Energy efficiency
• Quiet performance
• Long-term reliability

🔗 Browse our range now

Have questions? Our expert team is here to help. We can even design a custom solution based on your floor plan.