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How can a home inspector or energy auditor use a Chimney Balloon to solve fireplace downdrafts?

How can a home inspector or energy auditor use a Chimney Balloon to solve fireplace downdrafts?

by | Sep 14, 2018 | Chimney Problems

Energy audit

Q: Jason, I have a wood burning fireplace with a cozy great heater insert. I have a top of the Chimney Balloon and traditional damper installed. I have bad downdrafts and soot smell on rainy, windy days.

I am a Home Inspector and I am in the middle of a Certified Energy Training Program with RESNET. I just received a copy of Energy Magazine and read about your product. Looks like a good idea. I am going to try the vinegar tip. I need to measure my flue and I will order to try on my house. Once I get my blower door I will try the test like you did. I have doors, 2 dampers, and the Chimney Balloon. Thanks.- MW

PS. I will tell all my clients if I have success with your product. Nice website by the way and I am posting it on a few inspection association boards for others to try.

A: Hi MW, That was a great article you were referring to in Home Energy magazine (Mar/Apr 09) the energy rater that did the testing of the Chimney Balloon (Mark Furst) for that article did a great summarizing his testing of the Chimney Balloon. Mark was chosen to do the review/test because he had no experience with the Chimney Balloon, and could give an unbiased opinion. Mark also has a great reputation in Wisconsin for being very thorough at energy rating. We cannot re-post the article for copyright reasons, but you can click here to see a PDF of a summary of the Chimney Balloon article.

We would really welcome your comments and test results if you decide to do your own blower door testing of the Chimney Balloon with your fireplace.

We have not had the opportunity yet to compare the Chimney Balloon to the top seal dampers in blower door testing. I know the top seal dampers tend to seal tighter than traditional low-in-the-firebox metal dampers, but the trouble that is often experienced with a top seal damper is you are sealing the Chimney Balloon and all of its creosote and soot content into the homes interior air envelope by bottling the chimney at the top. What further compounds the issue is the fact that the warm interior air that naturally ascends the Chimney Balloon and is trapped there by the top damper tends to cool against the uninsulated brick walls of the chimney and the cold metal of the top damper and then that now-cool air drops again to the firebox. This convection process and air movement creates a draft and odor sensation at the hearth and into the room. That could be what you are experiencing.

The Chimney Balloon installed low and close to the firebox seals of the chimney from the homes interior air and eliminates this convection and air movement. – Jason

Fireplace Damper vs Chimney Balloon? Which one works better?

Fireplace Damper vs Chimney Balloon? Which one works better?

by | 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