by blogediter | Mar 29, 2019 | Fireplaces
Q: Dear Jason, Help! I have a very nice EPA rated wood stove that was put in about a year ago. It was installed in my lower level and the trouble is it smells of creosote and smoke smell when I am not using it. I know it is negative pressure bringing the smokey stink back into the house. Can I plug the flue with a Chimney Balloon to prevent the backdraft from bringing the smell back in? – TW
A: Dear TW, It depends on what type of stove you have. The image to the left is the inside top of an Avalon woodstove that has firebrick baffles on the top of the firebox. These brick baffles can be removed and it gives you easy access to the round flue so you can install a 9×9 Chimney Balloon when it is not being used. In the picture, you can see the one brick is being lifted because they just set in there by gravity.
Other wood stoves are completely metal-clad in the firebox and the baffles are welded steel. In these fireplaces, you often have no access to the flue through the firebox.
On occasion, you can get access to another part of the chimney through a clean-out door portal. Usually, these are outside and near a bend in the chimney or pipe.
You have to have access to the woodstove flue or chimney to plug it with a Chimney Balloon. – Jason
by blogediter | Jun 6, 2018 | Chimney Plugs
Blown insulation
Q: Jason – Do you have any other advice on how to save heat in my house? I’m looking for some little-known advice, not the same stupid stuff about “buy a setback thermostat” and “put a sweater on”. I read that stupid advice and say “Well-DUHHH!” – YT
A: YT – I will try not to let you down with my advice to you. I don’t want you to get done reading this and say “well-DUHHH!”
1) Don’t burn a fire in your open or zero clearance fireplace. The US DOE estimates that burning in an open fireplace can cost you an additional 10% on your heating bill. If this is a myserty to you, be sure to read the blog article on fireplaces and how they waste home heat.
2) If you are looking to do an upgrade to your home that will save you heat and cost some money then upgrade your furnace. In most cases this will get you a higher return for your money and your effort that buying a corn burner, a fireplace insert, replacing windows, or most any other upgrade. Unless of course you already have a high efficiency furnace.
3) Look in your attic. how many inches on insulation do you have up there? If it is less than 2 feet you should look at maybe adding some. A harware or home improvement store can tell you what you should have up there. The meards near me even lent me their insulation blower to blow the stuff into the attic with. It is not hard to do but you need two people and a good mask for the guy running the hose.
4) If you have a basement look to see if the wood is insulated where the concrete basement wall stops at the top and the wood base of the house comes together. This spot is rarely insulated and it allows a bunch of cold to convect through this bare uninsulated wood to your floors and basement. See picture.
5) Put on a sweater! HA! I couldnt resist YT. Please forgive me – Jason
