How To
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How do I use a chimney plug in my flue, if my fireplace has 4 slanted walls?
Q: I am trying to use a chimney plug to seal an 11 inch diameter circle damper situation with the rod handle, as you can see in the picture. My goal is to primarily seal the flue from insects and pests and second reason is energy efficiency. Would you please let me...
Checking around doors for positive and negative airflow with a Smoke Pencil
How to check for positive or negative air flow around doors with a Smoke Pencil? There are many hospitals that use the Smoke Pencil to check for positive or negative airflow around doors and ventilation registers to ensure that certain rooms in the hospital are not...
How to stop the smell from a top style damper with a wire down the chimney?
Q: Jason, I have a top style damper with a wire that comes down into the fireplace to pull tight. When I install a chimney pillow, should I open the top damper? I know doing this will allow the pillow to seal better at the location where the wire comes down, but I...
I have no fireplace damper and I want to heat with ventless gas logs.
Q: I have an old house and for whatever reason, there is not a damper at all (never was) on the fireplace. I love vent-free logs and am planning on installing them in this fireplace. Do you make a product that I can use in lieu of having to have a damper installed in...
Why do I get smoke in my basement through the fireplace when I use the upstairs fireplace?
Q: Jason, I have 2 fireplaces, one below the other. There are 2 flues up the same chimney. The one in the basement has no damper and needs some work before it can be used, so we put a piece of concrete board over it and a bookcase to hold it in place to block the...
How good does the Chimney Balloon really work? What testing has been done?
Q: Jason, How good does the Chimney Balloon work? How much air can I really expect to stop from coming in through my fireplace?- SH A: SH, The amount of money you save with a Chimney Balloon is directly proportionate to how bad your damper leaks. If you have no...
My Heatelator fireplace is very drafty and I would like to close it off to stop the draft.
Q: Jason, Hi, I stumbled across your site today, and I am very interested in one of your Chimney Balloons. My fireplace is very drafty and I have a question. My chimney has a system to take cold air off the floor in front of the hearth, and draw it through some pipes...
How do I size up a coal burning fireplace with no damper for a Chimney Balloon plug?
Q: Jason, We have a coal-burning fireplace that we will never use. The chimney has a smoke shelf and (as far as I can tell) no damper. The chimney measures 14 X 16 just above the smoke shelf. I guess that means we will need to order a custom Chimney Balloon. How much...
Should I buy a standard size Chimney Balloon or a custom size Chimney Balloon?
Q: Jason, My chimney opening measures 33" x 6" just above the damper. In one place on your website, it says to go with a Chimney Balloon that measures within 6" in either direction. Therefore, I was going to choose the 30" x 9" Chimney Balloon. However, when I...
I think I have a hole in my Chimney Balloon
Q: Jason, I have a Large 36 x 15 Chimney Balloon and over the period of 1 week it tends to get soft and let outside air blow by it. It doesn't get totally limp or fall from the chimney. Is this normal? RP A: RP, No it is not normal. The Chimney Balloon is designed to...
Can I plug a whole house fan vent with a Chimney Balloon to stop the cold air draft?
Q: Jason, I've been thinking of various ways to insulate my whole house fan for the winter and happened to your product. I was thinking of removing the shutter and placing the Chimney Balloon in the plenum space just as you would a chimney. Have you ever had anyone...
Can I burn candles in my fireplace with a Chimney Balloon installed?
Q: I have a very old fireplace that is not operational and I use strictly for decoration. the flue in masonry and unlined. It was capped/closed at the top by the previous owners. I want to get a Chimney Balloon because I suspect that there is still heat loss through...