by blogediter | Nov 21, 2018 | Gas Logs
Gas Burn
We have often fielded the questions about Gas log fireplaces and why a damper has to be removed or restricted when a gas log fireplace is installed. If a gas log fireplace was installed after 1991 the building codes state that the damper must be disabled or removed. Below is a portion of a Q and A session on www.doityourself.com about this very topic. You can see our Q & A writeups on this topic here. http://www.chimneyballoonusa.com/blog/vented_gas_logs/index.html
Here is the Q & A session from DoIt Yourself.com on gas logs and dampers:
Q: The folks who are buying my home, upon advice of their home inspector, have asked that I remove the fireplace damper prior to closing escrow. I’ve explained that this would be impractical since an open chimney would allow warm air to escape from the home during the winter months. They agreed with this point but insisted that dampers are unsafe when fireplaces have gas burners. This is a new one on me. Are the buyers right about removing the damper? -B
A: Dear Bl, Changes in the safety requirements for fireplace dampers were enacted in 1991, but current standards apply only to newly installed gas log fireplaces…. click here to read the rest of the article”
by blogediter | Nov 19, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Vent
Q: Jason – I am relatively certain of the dimensions of my flue and the area in which I wish to install a Chimney Balloon. I think it is a 32″x14″ opening. Would a 36″x15″ Chimney Balloon work for this size flue? – RT
A: RT – When you say you are “relatively sure” of the flue dimension it makes me think you may not have actually measured this area of the flue with a ruler or tape measure. It you have not, I would encourage you to measure it again. You will find that a wooden folding carpenters ruler is very useful to measure up in a flue. Bend the ruler into an L shape and use it as a feeler gauge to reach up and get a measurement of the area you plan to install a Chimney Balloon into. OK, now that you have measured and found your flue to be 32″x14″ as you previously said, then yes a 36″x15″ Chimney Balloon will work just fine. Even though your Chimney Balloon will be a little large, it will function perfectly.
As a side note, you can easily install a Chimney Balloon that is no more than 6″ too large in either dimension if your chimney flue area is at least 24″x12″. However, do not buy a Chimney Balloon that is too small for a flue dimension. That is like having a submarine door that is a little too small…it just doesn’t work.
by blogediter | Nov 16, 2018 | Fireplaces
Here is an article on Fireplace accessories and how to identify a quality fireplace accessory like a poker set or fireplace screen or doors. http://fireplacemantel.4houseandgarden.com/fireplace-accessories-for-every-household/
Here is an excerpt from the article:
“Two main factors that determine the purchase of most fireplace accessories are style and convenience. Style requires that the accessories you buy fit well with the design and look of the fireplace. Convenience refers to the ease of using the accessories. Without convenience, even the most stylish accessories are practically worthless, since you do mean to enjoy the warmth of your elegant fireplace (or do you really want a showpiece?)… ” Read more
by blogediter | Nov 14, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Ebay Chimney Balloon
Q: Jason – I read in the Chimney Balloon USA blog that you liquidate your “like new” Chimney Balloons on eBay a couple of times per year. I would like to know when you do that. -GG
A: GG – This is not information that we circulate a lot, but yes we do liquidate our “like new” and used Chimney Balloon stock a few times per year. This usually takes place in the summer months when our return team has time to test and list the remanufactured and incorrect size returns. If you wish to know when we are selling these Chimney Balloons you can add Chimney Balloon USA (our eBay seller name) to your favorite seller’s list. eBay will notify you when we list these Chimney Balloon products.
Rest assured these “like new” Chimney Balloons have been tested to ensure they function properly, but you may notice they are not perfectly folded and can sometimes have small traces of soot from a previous installation. – Jason
Open Round Center Pivot Butterfly Damper High Above the Fireplace.
by blogediter | Nov 12, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Bad Insert
Q: Jason – The wife is interested in getting a wood burning insert for the fireplace. We’re regular users of our fireplace and keep a supply of inexpensive hardwoods around. With upcoming increases in electricity costs around here, we thought it was about time that we sunk the $4-5K into a wood burning insert.
A: DW – Since your goal is to save money on heat and you mention your concern about electrical prices…I have to assume your home is now heated by electrical heat. Is that correct?
Well, if your goal is to save heat and therefore save money I would probably point you in an entirely different direction. First of all, stop using the fireplace for heat. Due to the stack effect in your home and the draw of combustion and rising air from the fire you are losing more heat than you are creating. Fireplaces are notoriously inefficient. The Department of Energy estimates using a fireplace raises your heat energy costs by 10% on average. The best thing you can do is plug the flue with a Chimney Balloon and look for other options.
Your other installed option, electric heat, is the second most inefficient type of standard heating. So I would also steer you from using that.
You could go with a fireplace insert and have the hassle of consuming wood, the maintenance of maintaining a clean flue and chimney, the constant feeding of the fire and the increased home insurance rates. With this option, you can get an average 60% efficiency for your labors. See below for a picture of a bad hack job of a fireplace insert install that leaks smoke. This picture is not my house, By the way.
Or, you could go a more traditional route by applying your money to a direct vent gas furnace and ducting that will give you a 90% efficiency. Granted this may cost you more since ductwork has to be laid, but it will be less laborious and costly than any other option in the long run. You won’t need a chimney either since it can be vented easily through the side of the house in a minimally invasive way.
I considered the very question you were pondering about 4 years ago when I had an aged furnace and an open fireplace. I decided to plug the fireplace tightly with a Chimney Balloon to stop the heat loss through the bad damper and flue and upgrade the furnace to a direct vent 90% efficient. I have been so happy with this decision, and I would do the exact same thing again if I had the choice. I hope you find this input/testimony helpful – Jason
