Abstract: A fireplace is disclosed in which the ash dump is utilized to supply combustion air to the fireplace so that air will not be drawn by the fireplace from the room in which the fireplace is located. This is accomplished by locating an air diffuser over the ash dump in combination with an ash pit clean-out door that can be adjusted to control the flow of air through the ash dump and into the fireplace. The ash pit clean-out door may be located either on an outside wall to draw in outside air or it may be located in a non-living area of a home, such as the basement.