How to save energy and fight the “fat American” trend
When I read this blog article it made perfect sense to me. We spend much time concentrating on how to save energy in the power grid we forget the wastes of energy in our food supply. Some of the things in the article are overly simplistic but overall I think the...
Can I plug a pot belly stove?
Pot belly Q: I have a pot belly stove with a bad damper on it. Can I use this Chimney Balloon to stop up the chimney? PBS A: PBS, If you can reach into your pot belly stove and touch the location where the chimney meets the stove you can likely use the Chimney...
Do I close the damper after installing the Chimney Balloon?
Fall & Winter Q: Do I close the chimney damper after installing the Chimney Balloon? - SR A: You can have the damper closed if you have the Chimney Balloon installed up in the chimney far enough to close the damper and clear the damper hardware. But doing this is...
What if your gas log fireplace sucked money out of your wallet?
Fireplace Sucks amin What would you do if the directions of your vented gas log fireplace said: “Step 4: Turn on the gas and light log set with a flaming $10 bill”. No matter what you tried, you couldn’t get the gas log to light unless you burned a $10 bill and put it...
Exhausto fan on a chimney top making a whistle sound in the fireplace damper
Exhausto Fan 2 ]Q: Jason I have a 7 unit apartment building that has a very unusual setup for the fireplaces in each of the flats. In order for the fireplaces to draw well enough to use the fireplaces, I had to put an exhaust fan on the top of the chimney....
How to save hundreds of dollars on shaving razors?
Razor Shave This is a little off topic from my usual fireplace banter, but I wanted to share a trick I learned a few years ago on how to save money on shaving razors. Stainless steel blade shavers like the slick marketed Quatro, Sensor or Mach 4 have blades that take...
Will falling/spalling bricks puncture or pop a Chimney Balloon?
Bad Brick Q: Jason - I have an old chimney that occasionally drops a brick off the outside of the chimney or inside of the flue. The damper of this fireplace is in terrible shape and I want to use a Chimney Balloon to seal it up, but will the Chimney Balloon stand up...
What is better a vented-gas log or a vent-free gas log fireplace?
Gas log Q: Jason - I have an old vented gas log that is crumbling and needs to be replaced. What is better to replace it with, a vented gas log or a vent-less gas log?-NW A: NW- If you go with a vented gas log install you will certainly have to commit yourself to...
Can a 9″ wide Chimney Balloon fit in a 9.5″ wide chimney flue?
Chimney Balloon large Q: Jason, I have a masonary fireplace that appears to have no chimney damper. I have measured the rectangular area after the firebox and it's approximately 25.5" X 9.5". What size Chimney Balloon would be best suited. thanks. - RG A: RG, For an...
How much energy can I save with a Chimney Balloon?
Small Chimney Q: Jason, How much energy will a Chimney Balloon save for an average 15 inch chimney? A: AP, Your question is hard to answer with the little information you gave. It is kind of like asking me how much water you would save if you fix your leaky faucet. I...
How do I plug a fireplace flue when installing an electric fireplace insert?
Electric Fireplace Q: Jason - I installed one of those cool electric hologram type fireplace inserts into my wood burning fireplace. I have a cold draft that is coming down the chimney and it seeps out around the electric fireplace box insert. I was told by the...
Where can I get a Chimney Balloon In Europe?
Europe Q: Jason - Do you post the Chimney Balloon item to Ireland or Europe. If yes, how much would it cost? - Mr. Seamus A: Dear Mr. Seamus, We could certainly send you a Chimney Balloon in Ireland via regular Post from our USA distribution hub and the cost of...