Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - MAKING AN EFFICIENT FIREPLACE

I HAVE AN EXISTING WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE WITH AN ASH PIT SLOT IN THE FLOOR THAT EMPTIES INTO THE BOWLS OF THE BASEMENT.THE GLASS FRONT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'VE BEEN WONERING IF PUTTING IN A HEATILATOR TYPE FRONT WHILE SUPPLYING OUTSIDE AIR FOR COMBUSTION VIA SOME DUCTWORK AND DAMPER WOULD GIVE ME THE EFFICIENCY I'M LOOKING FOR WITHOUT DOING A MAJOR OVER-HAUL OR A COSTLY INSERT?

Hello
should work fine they have two differant type, one is heat
cold air comes in at the bottom and hot air rises and pulls in more cold air heat it and it keeps moving the cold air in and the hot air out...works buyt not for a large area...two..works the same way but they add a fan moter to push the cold air in. and in turn pushes the hot air out into the room will heat a larger are some but remember most fire places are a very poor heating system hope you have other heating...Good Luck