I have a chimney with no cap and the rain and snow comes in
Chimney Ballloon with no cap and the rain and snow comes in Q: Jason, Can the Chimney Balloon still work if we don't have a chimney cap or damper on top? Will rain affect the Chimney Balloon? We have a damper below. - MM A: Hi MM, The Chimney Balloon will still work...
Wood fireplace with gas starter is very cold, how can we insulate it?
Q: Jason, We have been renovating an older home from the 70's for quite some time and have just recently moved in. The problem is the drafty original brick fireplace. No unpleasant odors, just drafty cold air. We've done quite a bit to update the look, but now the...
I have a problem with flies comming in through the fireplace.
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Is it easy to remove the Chimney Balloon. Can I remove it for fires and put back in ?
Fire Place Q: Hi Jason, Is it easy to remove the Chimney Balloon. I have a gas fireplace with a warped damper. We use sometimes in winter. Would the Chimney Balloon be easy to remove and put back in for fires? - KN A: Dear KN, Your questions are very common for...
Natural Gas price crash. It is a good year to heat your home with natural gas
Natural Gas price crash I received a statement from Alliant Energy in my email last week that Natural Gas prices are quite low this year (See attached graph provided by Alliant Energy). I am not a person that follow commodity prices real closely but I do know that I...
Why is my fireplace blowing out my furnace pilot light?
Fall and Winter Q: When I light my wood burning fireplace, my gas furnace pilot light on the other side of the house blows out. How do I stop this? - ST A: Dear ST, Well without actually seeing this particular situation in action it is hard to tell. Two major...
When there is a fire in the downstairs fireplace, I get smoke crossover and smell in the upstairs. How do I stop this?
Downstairs fireplace Q: Jason, I live in a main-floor condo with one upstairs neighbor. We have separate chimneys that are contained in one wood encasement. When my neighbor is burning a fire in his fireplace I have a strong smoke smell in my condo. My best guess is...
How do I seal a zero clearance Majestic brand fireplace so it isnt so drafty?
Zero clearance Majestic brand fireplace Q: We have a zero clearance fireplace manufactured by Majestic. I've tried another fireplace product which is supposed to fit at the top of the firebox to cover the flue. It did not fit properly because there are two metal...
Chimney Balloon dampers on GreenBuildingElements.com
We had a published article on GreenBuildingElements.com on the inefficiencies of open fireplace use and how home heat can be saved with a Chimney Balloon fireplace damper. The article will look familiar since we had also posted it on our blog a few weeks ago. Here is...
Dressing up my Gas Log Fireplace
Q: Jason, I am looking to dress up my fireplace with a hearth fender, and maybe some decorative iron hardware. - RC A: Dear RC, There is a new company on the online scene that sells gas log and fireplace adornments. They are called Gas Log Station and they offer...
Choose a way to heat your home? Get the most “Bang for your BTU!”
Cost of using that fuel If you are planning to buy a corn or pellet burner or replace your heating oil or natural gas furnace you should visit this heating cost calculator first at http://www.nhclimateaudit.org/calculators.php this calculator gives you side by side...
Fireplace Damper vs Chimney Balloon? Which one works better?
Energy audit Q: Jason, You say that a Chimney Balloon fireplace damper can save you 14% on home heating. This number seems unreal. Where do you get such a figure? What does a Chimney Balloon do that a metal fireplace damper cannot do? - SH A: Dear SH, I am really glad...