by blogediter | Oct 26, 2018 | Save Energy
Q: Jason, I am going to place an order with your company and if it works, I am going to place your company’s information in every mailbox in my neighborhood. I would never have thought of such a simple solution. And I am serious, if this balloon does what you say it will do, you will have some free advertisement here in I***, California!!
Wish me luck!, KB
A: KB, Thank you for your interest and exuberance in Chimney Balloons. If you have any questions about measuring your fireplace for a properly sized Chimney Balloon please feel free to call our customer helpline 608-467-0229, or you can email customer service through the website www.chimneyballoon.us/contactus.html for assistance. Chimney Balloons have been helping hundreds of thousands of fireplace owners worldwide since 1989 save heat and energy. We are certain you and your neighbors will have a positive experience with our product. If you have any concerns or questions please feel free to contact us.
Don’t forget to review the sizing page before ordering http://www.chimneyballoon.us/Chimneyballoonsizing.html
by blogediter | Sep 17, 2018 | Save Energy
Newspaper
Q: Jason, I know you recommend using an air bed inflation pump but can I use an air compressor or holding tank to inflate a Chimney Balloon? – MM
A: Dear MM, I can appreciate your question, but I still recommend an air bed inflation pump or even a shop vac kicked into reverse. Below is a story of why that is the case…
by blogediter | Aug 29, 2018 | Save Energy
Overinflate a Chimney Balloon
Q: Is it possible to over-inflate the Chimney Balloon? How do you know when you have blown in a sufficient amount of air?- DC
A: Hi DC, The Chimney Balloon should be a little springy (not drum tight) when inflated. If it is inflated enough to seal and hold in place, then it is inflated enough.
I know the temptation is to blow it as tight as possible, but that is not necessary. If you use an airbed inflation pump to inflate the Chimney Balloon sometimes it helps to remove the pump just before the balloon is fully inflated and top the inflation off by blowing into the inflation tube. That will give you a feel for how much pressure is in the balloon.
I never recommend using an air compressor to inflate a Chimney Balloon. They build pressure in the balloon too quickly at the end of the inflation, and it can easily blow out the Chimney Balloon or the seals on the Chimney Balloon before you have time to stop it. – Jason
by blogediter | Aug 10, 2018 | Save Energy
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 hat my home and office with natural gas so a lower cost of natural gas this winter will give me some relief from the higher bills I paid last winter.
Oddly enough Alliant Energy also sent me an invitation to standardize my gas bill for this next year by paying $57 per month in their “Budget” program. I never go with these programs because I know there are convenience fees built into the program that adds to the cost on my bill. This year it is especially important for me not to go with this plan since the cost of natural gas has slid so far this year. – Jason
by blogediter | Jul 30, 2018 | Save Energy
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 a link to the complete article: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/09/22/how-to-stop-your-fireplace-from-being-an-energy-eater/
by blogediter | Jul 25, 2018 | Chimney Plugs, Save Energy
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 you challenge us on this. All marketing claims should be challenged! And I will be happy to explain our figures. First of all the US Department of Energy says that the fireplace accounts for 14% of a homes heat loss. It stands to reason that if you seal your fireplace uptight and efficiently you will not be losing this heat.
Now, there are average ways to stop that heat loss, like standard metal fireplace chimney dampers, or metal chimney top dampers. And, there are superior ways to stop that heat loss that will seal the flue off efficiently and not allow air to pass.
We hired a third party certified energy rater to put the Chimney Balloon on a head to head test against a metal damper and glass doors. The energy rater used a 1200 square foot ranch style home that was reasonably tight and energy efficient already. In this test, he tested the home with the 9″ round fireplace damper open (as if the fireplace had no damper). He tested the fireplace with the metal damper closed. He tested it with the fireplace glass doors closed, He tested it with the damper and the glass fireplace doors closed, And then he tested it with the Chimney Balloon installed.
The results of this test were as follows:
- The home was 27% more efficient with a Chimney Balloon than if it had no damper.
- The home was 16% more efficient with a Chimney Balloon than if the metal damper was closed.
- The home was 6% more efficient with a Chimney Balloon than if it the glass doors were closed
If you would like to see the entire results of this test of the fireplace damper vs Chimney Balloon please visit this link?: http://www.chimneyballoon.us/fireplacedampertest.html
To read more information about energy efficiency and how to tighten your home energy envelope visit: http://eere.typepad.com/energysavers/2008/10/reduce-your-hea.html
– Jason
