by blogediter | May 31, 2019 | Save Energy
Q: I live in an area that is very hot (115F) in the summer, even though it goes below freezing in winters. Should I remove my Chimney Balloon in the Spring of each year due to the heat that is coming? Thank you, – PU
A: Dear PU, There is no real need to remove the Chimney Balloon in the summer even though the temperature gets that hot. As a matter of fact, I would encourage you to leave it in to help keep out the infiltrating heat. Air sealing helps you in the summer months as well as the winter. No doubt about it that kind of outside temperature is crazy hot! But your Chimney Balloon can handle it.- Jason
by blogediter | May 29, 2019 | Chimney Plugs
Where to Measure a Heatelator Pre-Fab Fireplace
Jason, I have a fireplace in our basement that I want to plug since we do not use it.
There is a metal damper that operated on a hand crank just 3″ above the fireplace opening. However, about 14″ above the damper is an 11″x11″ terra cotta flue tile that I think I can easily get a Chimney Balloon into. The website instructions say to buy a Chimney Balloon that is a little large…should I get a 15×15 or 12×12 Chimney Balloon and should I buy a HEK extender with it? – RW
Dear RW, You sized up this application well and your instinct is right-on to go with a 12×12 with a HEK Extender.
11″x11″ is a very common size flue tile, and experience tells me that a 12×12 Chimney Balloon is the perfect size to plug that flue. Since your flue tile terminates just 14″ above the damper then you can certainly use a HEK extender to get it up there and installed. I have attached some pictures that are similar to your install. – Jason
by blogediter | May 27, 2019 | Chimney Plugs
Q: Following the instructions on this site our place for a Chimney Balloon would be roughly 4 feet above the metal damper in a space that is roughly 12×12. I am planning to purchase a 15×15 Chimney Balloon, but is there a HEX extension long enough for placement and inflation of the Chimney Balloon?- RM
A: Dear RM, It sounds like you are trying to size a Chimney Balloon in your first chimney tile area. We do make 36″ long custom HEK Extenders, but I think you will find it much easier to measure and install a Chimney Balloon in a lower location if possible.
What you are looking for in your flue is an area about 7″ or 8″ in height that has roughly parallel walls on at least 2 opposing sides, and is out of the way of the damper hardware.
Knowing that description, is there an area just above or below your damper that may be a better location to measure? Call us at 608-467-0229 for a little more guidance. – Jason
by blogediter | May 24, 2019 | Fireplaces
Q: Do I close the chimney damper after installing the Chimney Balloon?- JJ
A: Dear JJ, There is no need to close the damper below your Chimney Balloon. The Chimney Balloon is doing the job of the damper and quite frankly it is doing a better job than the metal damper could anyway. So closing the damper after the Chimney balloon is installed is like closing a screen door on the inside of a submarine.
However, You can have the damper closed if you have the Chimney Balloon in there far enough to close it. There are a few things to keep in mind though if you do decide to close the damper. If you try to force the damper closed it may put upward pressure on the valve section of your Chimney Balloon. That is a little tough on your Chimney Balloon since it puts undue pressure on the valve and Chimney Balloon.
The other issue is if you close your damper you may forget you installed the Chimney Balloon and just open the damper and start a fire.
Personally, I leave my damper open and leave the inflation tube attached, so it dangles just above my head when I open the glass doors to the fireplace. With this solution, I still have no draft problem and I haven’t accidentally melted a Chimney Balloon yet. – Jason
by blogediter | May 22, 2019 | Save Energy
Q: Jason, I couldn’t find information about deflating the Chimney Balloon in order to have a fire. About how many times can you inflate and deflate the Chimney Balloon? Thanks, KW
A: Dear KW, Deflating a Chimney Balloon is a simple process. If it is a small Chimney Balloon (9×9 or 12×12) you can just open the valve and within 10-20 seconds it will have lost enough air to remove it. Or you can use the handle to press the Chimney Balloon against the flue wall to force the air out a little faster.
With the larger Chimney Balloons, especially ones installed above the damper, you would need to give the Chimney Balloon more time to deflate since there is more air volume. If you are in a hurry, use and air bed pump on the reverse or the hose attachment to your vacuum to draw the air out quickly. Once the Chimney Balloon is flat it is easy to tuck it back down through the damper. This also helps you get maximum life from the Chimney Balloon since a deflated Chimney Balloon is much less likely to get snagged on anything or scrape along the rough masonry sides.
I recommend collecting the Chimney Balloon into a paper grocery bag or a plastic bag so any soot deposits that settled on the top of the Chimney Balloon won’t get out of the fireplace. Personally I like using a paper bag since it stands up and holds itself open.
I have a 9×9 with an HEK that I have been using since 2003 that I have installed and uninstalled 30-40 times and it is still going strong. I hope this answers your questions KW, but if you have any other questions please let me know. – Jason
