by blogediter | Feb 26, 2018 | Save Energy
Smoke Pencils
Q: Jason, How long can I expect the 3oz bottle of Smoke fluid that comes with the Smoke Pencil last me? Can I buy additional smoke fluid for the smoke pencil puffer, and if so, what is the link for that? Thanks, -TW
A: TW, When using the Smoke Pencil lightly depress the trigger for about 5 seconds and make a nice small trail of smoke that will linger for about 30 seconds. this works well if you are testing door weatherstripping or window seals. If you use the Smoke Pencil in this manner you can keep the smoke generating for hours and hours and not even use a full ounce.
What really uses up the smoke fluid quickly is if you are making a big puff of smoke with the Smoke Pencil. Say you hold the trigger down for a minute and hit the puffer trigger a few times to make a nice big plume of thick smoke. You may want to make a big plume of smoke like this if you are testing the draft of a large fireplace. If you do this 3 times you may use about a 1/10th of an ounce which is about the amount the reservoir tank on the Smoke Pencil will hold. So even if you are making big plumes of smoke you may use it 100 times before you need more smoke fluid. – Jason
by blogediter | Feb 23, 2018 | Save Energy
Smoke Pencil Puffer
Test Weather Stripping
In my opinion, a smoke pencil puffer is a tool that any home handyman should have in his toolbox. When working on energy saving home improvements like window & door installs, weatherstripping, duct sealing, insulation, and other air sealing projects they are such a helpful tool. You do your improvement, and then use the little trace of smoke generated from the smoke stick to see if you have stopped the air movement in that area.
The Trouble with Smoke Pencils
The trouble is up until this point smoke pencil puffers have been rather expensive ($50 -$75 or more) and most operate on toxic chemical mixes to make the smoke. Because the chemicals used in the traditional smoke stick puffers operate on acid fumes and the smoke they generate is toxic they are not healthy to use in confined areas and if you use them too much they can be bad for your health. Furthermore, if you travel with your tools you cant take an acid-based smoke puffer pencil on a plane in carry-on or checked luggage, and you cant send them in the US Mail since they are considered hazardous material.
New Non-Toxic Smoke Pencils
Fortunately, there is a new Smoke Pencil puffer that I just was introduced to at the affordable comfort Institute Conference in Kansas City. Instead of using acid mixtures to generate smoke this non-toxic smoke pencil puffer uses a harmless liquid mixture and heats it slightly to generate a nice highly visible smoke. The trigger mechanism on this Smoke Pencil allows you to control the amount of smoke you generate. So if you need just a little trickle of smoke to test weatherstripping you lightly depress the trigger. If you are testing a larger area like a door jamb you can hold the trigger down longer and create a nice plume of smoke. I have allergies so I am a bit sensitive to most smoke, but this smoke stick used a mixture of water, propylene glycol, and glycerin that is similar to the smoke generated by toy trains. So using this smoke stick does not bother my allergies at all and the faint sweet smell to the smoke fades fast so there are no lingering odors.
Price of a Smoke Stick
The thing that really sold me on this new smoke puffer pencil is the low price. At $25 this smoke stick was half the price of the cheapest acid based smoke puffers, I was familiar with. So I bought one of these non-toxic Smoke Pencils and brought it home and started testing it. I also gave 2 of them to some energy rater & insulation contractor friends to try out. After testing it, we liked it enough to have it offered on the Chimney Balloon website. So you can buy a smoke pencil puffer at www.ChimneyBalloon.us
by blogediter | Feb 21, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Fireplace ash pits that are cold and drafty
Q: Jason, I’m trying to determine which size Chimney Balloon to get. This is not for the chimney, but for an opening at the bottom of the fireplace that ends up going outside. (I have no idea what the opening is for, maybe as a drainage for ashes?)
The opening in the bottom of the fireplace is about 6 X 9, and it drops straight down to a large rectangular area under the house. That area has a vent to the outside of the house. The vent opening is 5″ tall X 8″ wide, but the area immediately inside the vent is much larger, probably 24 X 24.
- Should I get a 9 X 9 size and try to plug up one of the openings? If so, which one?
- Or should I get a bigger size, and try to plug the area between the openings? If so, what size? Thanks, BT
A: Hi BT, It is possible to use a Chimney Balloon to stop draft from coming in through the ash pit chute. If you really want the handle of the Chimney Balloon down and out of view you will need to get a larger 24×24 Chimney Balloon and put it in the ash chamber area (as seen in the picture). If you don’t mind the Chimney Balloon handle sticking up into the firebox area then you can put a 9×9 Chimney Balloon in the small 6″x9″ chute going down to the ash chamber as long as that chute has 6″ or more in height for the Chimney Balloon to lodge in. – Jason
by blogediter | Feb 19, 2018 | Gas Logs
Light Switch
Q: Jason, I have a gas fireplace that is supposed to light when the light switch is flipped to the ON position. It worked fine for the first 8 years. but now it won’t light when the switch is activated. In order to light it, I have to go to the fireplace to push the red ignitor button several times.
The pilot is burning OK, and the fire burns fine if I light it with the red ignitor. Is the thermocouple bad? After the fireplace has been burning for a while, I can flip the switch and it will re-light ok, but if I start it cold I am back to using the red button again. – GF
A: GF, Over the last 8 years the copper contacts on your standard wall switch have corroded a bit. In other words, they have that crusty green copper corrosion junk on the contacts. Since this system works on a milliamp signal it is very sensitive to variations or resistance. You can either remove the switch from the wall socket and clean the contacts or purchase a gold or mercury contact wall switch that will not corrode over time.
by blogediter | Feb 19, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Fireplace Damper
[Q: Jason, I previously ordered a 9X9 Chimney Balloon fireplace damper and it works fine for the flue (size 8″ diameter). What I don’t like about it is that the flue is about 5″ higher than the 12″ X 16″ smoke chamber. So when I place the 9×9 Chimney Balloon in the flue I have to really reach to get a good fit.
Instead of getting your extension rod I figure it would be best to try and get another balloon to fit the 12 X 16 area above the damper. As I mentioned the 12 X 16 area (smoke chamber?) has only a 5-inch height then the flue begins. So if I understand you correctly order a custom 12 X 18 and this would seal the area above my damper (12 X 16 X 5)
Thanks, DT
A: Hi DT, You can send back your current 9×9 Chimney Balloon and get a custom 18×12. It would work well for a 12″x16″ area. Remember, a Custom Chimney Balloon requires a 14 day build time. You could order a standard 24×12 that would ship right away, but I am concerned there will be too much extra Chimney Balloon material. It really would be worth the wait to get the correct size. – Jason
