Energy Efficient Home Improvements that Drop Cooling Costs 15% this Summer

Energy Efficient Home Improvements that Drop Cooling Costs 15% this Summer

Temperatures aren’t the only thing rising this time of year. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, home energy bills sit at 10-year highs just as air conditioners hum into gear across the United States. While there are several ways to ensure homes have energy efficient home improvements. One often overlooked areas is the chimney. Worse yet, the chimney acts like a dirty snorkel that allows warm, smelly air to waft inside the home. This can happen even if there is an existing metal damper inside the chimney.

Fortunately, there is a simple solution that homeowners can install themselves that seals the chimney and reduces energy waste, and is a energy efficient home improvement.

Cool your home, not your neighborhood

Before homeowners seek unfounded DIY-hacks online, the first step in creating a more energy efficient home improvements list is understanding where energy is wasted. According to Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy-run program focused on energy
efficient home improvements. Air leakage is one of the top contributors to wasted energy in homes and can account for as much as 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling in homes.

While the fireplace is designed to provide warmth in the winter, the chimney acts as a conduit for energy loss throughout the summer. The large openings in traditional fireplaces, also known as flues, allow conditioned air to escape while simultaneously drawing warm, humid air from outside into your comfortable living space. This constant exchange of air leads to increased energy consumption and higher utility bills as air conditioners work harder to compensate for the loss.

Through consistent seasonal use and exposure to extreme temperatures, a cast iron or sheet metal chimney damper warps over time, and even new metal dampers are not airtight. Without an airtight seal, a chimney is akin to leaving a window open all summer. And while caulks and foams are useful air sealing techniques for some applications, they don’t work in a fireplace.

The solution is shockingly simple for energy efficient home improvements

Energy Efficient Home Improvements Like Blocking the Chimney

Energy Efficient Home Improvements Like Blocking the Chimney

There are eco-friendly, all-wool inserts called Flueblockers, designed to plug the chimney. These thick-layered wool inserts not only prevent conditioned air from escaping the home, but they stop hot, humid outdoor air from passing through the toxic, soot-filled chimney into your home. This provides increased comfort and improved indoor air quality. Homeowners breathe easier knowing there’s a sustainable, cost-effective solution for one’s health (and wallet).

These flue inserts are available in varying shapes and can be customized and scissor-trimmed to fit any-sized flue, making it the easiest, most cost-effective solution on the market. Not to mention they are available for purchase online and can be installed quickly and easily.

Money savings on energy efficient home improvements

So what are the examples of energy efficient home improvements? Similar to having solar panels installed, the government incentivizes homeowners to take advantage of the tax credits and rebates being offered for energy efficient home improvements. The same goes for insulation and air sealing improvements, but these tax credits have an even quicker payback than solar, and are energy efficient home improvements tax deductible? Many wool flue inserts qualify for 30% federal air-sealing and insulation tax credits that heavily subsidize the products. And due to the energy savings that come with installing a wool insert in your flue, the products pay for themselves with the savings in less than one year – with or without the federal tax credit.

The Bottom-line on energy efficient home improvements

What can make a house more energy-efficient?

Plugging the flue can make a house more energy-efficient

So, what can make a house more energy-efficient? Homeowners with wood-burning fireplaces should explore whether their flues are currently sealed. If you have a metal damper, place your hand on it (assuming you’ve not recently used the fireplace) and feel its warmth from the outside air. You’ll likely hear and feel a draft, too. Making your home more energy efficient this summer is simple, and wool inserts are also great at blocking cold drafts in the winter. Users simply remove the insert – which takes less than 15 seconds – if they choose to use the fireplace.

5 air sealing and air filter tips that can make your home a safe haven from wildfire smoke and dust

5 air sealing and air filter tips that can make your home a safe haven from wildfire smoke and dust

Air sealing and air filter tips that can make your home a safe haven from wildfire smoke and dust

You can see on the wildfire smoke map more and more of the United States experience smoke from this season’s wildfires, it is important to air seal and air filter your home for fending off smoke and particulates. You can make your home a safe haven from wildfire smoke, so you can get away from the fine particulates from wildfires like PM2.5, that cause the greatest health concern.

Here are the 5 air sealing and air filter tips that can make your home a safe haven from wildfire smoke and dust. So you can see how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke:

1) Air sealing your home is essential. Modern homes operate under pressure. Sometimes homes are inhaling air from outside, and sometimes they are expelling air. HVAC, venting, clothes dryers, and all kinds of appliances affect how your home takes in outside air. Use a Smoke Pencil to hunt around your house to see where your home is intaking air, and use weatherstipping, caulk, and foam to seal out air infiltration. If you notice a heavier than normal dust coating on your furniture, you can bet that the particulate count is up inside your home.
2) Focus on the biggest holes first. One of the worst culprits in letting in outside air is the dormant fireplace chimney. It acts like a snorkel sticking up into the smokey sky. Whenever you use an appliance that vents to the outside (like a clothes dryer), the negative pressure will pull outside air through the path of least resistance. That is often the chimney, even if it has a damper the metal is usually ill fitting and warped, allowing a gush of air to pass through. So use a tight fitting Flueblocker or Chimney Balloon to close the chimney off.
3) Air Filters are key: Eventually you need to open your doors to come in and out, so there is bound to be smoke that gets inside. It is hard to find the best HEPA indoor air filters in stock at the moment, but there are DIY home air filters that can be made with furnace filters and a box fan that are very effective. Also have a close look at your HVAC filters in your A/C system. Do not use the cheap stringy fiberglass filters, rather make sure you have fine filters with a MERV rating of 13 or higher.
Protect against smoke with Respirator Mask

Protect against smoke with Respirator Mask

4) Mask shields up: When you do go out, it is best to have a P95 respirator mask with activated carbon. That way you are protected from particulates and chemicals that ride the smoke. They are only about $20 and they are well worth the price. You can even get some variety that cover your eyes as well.

5) Don’t make your indoor air quality worse: Avoid using your gas burning range while you are buttoned up avoiding wildfire smoke. Try heating food just with the microwave for a while. Limit using ventilation appliances like clothes dryers and vent fans. They create negative pressure in your home and force the house to take in more outside air. It may sound extreme, but hang a clothesline inside to dry your clothes.
It is also important to keep track of the public announcements of when you must evacuate an area due to poor air quality or even fire danger. Do not put you or your family and loved ones at risk. There are wildfire smoke health effects long-term and short-term.
In order to make your home a safe haven from wildfire smoke and dust, you should follow the steps above and contact us if you need help selecting products to air sealing your fireplace and home.
Apply Now to get a 30% discount rebate for Flueblocker and Chimney Balloon and other air sealing and insulation?

Apply Now to get a 30% discount rebate for Flueblocker and Chimney Balloon and other air sealing and insulation?

How to get a 30% discount rebate for Flueblocker and Chimney Balloon and other insulation and air sealing?

The US Department of Energy and Energy Star have worked together to provide details on the 30% tax rebate on residential insulation and air sealing tax credit starting in 2023.

The Chimney Balloon and the Flueblocker both are in accordance with IECC 2009 code, and thus qualify for the rebate.

According to the Energy Information Administration energy costs are at a 10 year high. That makes many homeowners interested in improving the air sealing and insulation on their home, to make it more comfortable and cheaper to heat and cool. Whether you want to DIY the improvements or hire a professional, you can claim up to $1200 in rebates just on insulation and air sealing.

Below is a video from the IRS on how to apply for the Energy Tax Credits on insulation and how to apply the rebate for Flueblocker and Chimney Balloon.

Generally the payback in energy savings on installing a Flueblocker or Chimney Balloon chimney draught stopper is within 12 months. But with this 30% rebate on air sealing, it pays you back even faster.
Insulation is not as sexy as a bathroom remodel, but it  is considered the fastest payback home improvement you can do.

Sometimes we run special manufacturer discount rebates for Flueblocker and Chimney Balloon and products. Contact us to see if we have any new promo codes or rebate for Flueblocker and Chimney Balloon.

Show me how to use a chimney plug in my chimney, if my fireplace flue has 4 slanted walls?

Show me how to use a chimney plug in my chimney, if my fireplace flue has 4 slanted walls?

How to use a chimney plug in my chimney, if my fireplace flue has 4 slanted walls? Does a Chimney Balloon really work in this fireplace, or should I make a DIY chimney plug?

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 know how to use a chimney plug in my chimney, and which chimney plug and size is best for my damper handle situation. Thanks! – Ibrahim

A: Hi Ibrahim, I would recommend you use the 12″ round Flueblocker above the flue damper. That will work better than a Chimney Balloon in this fireplace. In order to install it, you will tuck the wool pad past the open damper without the handle attached. Then spear the Flueblocker handle into the wool pad clamp and tighten the handle by turning it to thread it into the hole on the clamp. One it is threaded you can use the leverage of the Flueblocker handle to push the wool pad into place above the chimney damper. It will look like the photo below. It will do a great job stopping bugs and drafts. – Jason R

Flueblocker installed in round chimney

Flueblocker installed above the damper

Contact us if you are wondering how to use a inflatable chimney plug or wool fireplace plug as a chimney draught stopper in my chimney?

 

 

Help, my Chimney Balloon is deflating!

Help, my Chimney Balloon is deflating!

Chimney Balloon is deflating!

Q: Jason, Your customer service has been top notch, but I’m still not having good luck with the Chimney Balloon. I purchased one a year or two ago. Over time I noticed it had become deflated. I’ve not blown it back up a number of times in the past week. It must have a leak somewhere as it will not stay inflated. Do the valves develop leaks?

Anyway, I’m just a bit frustrated and wishing this worked better than it does. I’m not sure there’s anything to be done about it, but I needed to vent (no pun intended). – SR

A: Dear SR,
There are some applications that are just not hospitable to the Chimney Balloon. I’m afraid this may be one of those applications.

However, we now have a product that is quite a bit more durable than the Chimney Balloon, because it is a dense-backed wool pad instead of an inflatable bag. It is called the Flueblocker. You can see it at www.flueblocker.com.

Judging by your photos and the Chimney Balloon size you purchased before, my bet would be on the 14×36 Flueblocker. The length will be perfect, but you might have to trim a bit off the depth. I would try fitting it full-sized first to see if it is a pressure fit, and then trim down from there if needed. Just like a haircut, you can always take more off, but you can’t glue it back on.

Here is a link to that size: https://www.flueblocker.com/product/14inch-x-36inch-rectangle/

– Jason[