How do I reach and close the valve to my Chimney Balloon when i am installing it in my prefab fireplace?

How do I reach and close the valve to my Chimney Balloon when i am installing it in my prefab fireplace?

Chimney Balloon Cropped

Q: Jason, I purchased two Chimney Balloons. I have two zero clearance fireplaces and there is no way to put the Chimney Balloon above the damper and still be able to reach the air valve. I am disappointed in this design. I can’t be the first person to have this problem, so please tell me how to make this work. – KB

A: Dear KB, I have a prefab zero clearance fireplace in my home just like yours. These fireplaces tend to have higher dampers and a higher location that is easy to put a Chimney Balloon in. This is the very reason we sell the HEK extender for the Chimney Balloon. If we just made the handle longer in the general design of the Chimney Balloon then it would be too long for most applications and it would make the Chimney Balloon more visible when installed. So the Chimney Balloon Handle valve HEK extender is the ticket for you to have an easier go of using your Chimney Balloon. – Jason

5 Uncommon Ways To Save Home Heat in the Winter months?

5 Uncommon Ways To Save Home Heat in the Winter months?

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

#1: I Have a Round Butterfly Damper High Above the Firebox. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#1: I Have a Round Butterfly Damper High Above the Firebox. How Do I Plug the Flue?

#1: I Have a Round Butterfly Damper High Above the Firebox. How Do I Plug the Flue?

Fireplace #1: Butterfly Damper 3 Feet above the Firebox

These high-up butterfly center pivot dampers are usually in prefabricated zero clearance fireplaces made by Heatelator.  Here are the characteristics:

  • The damper handle that opens the circular center pivot damper is usually on the outside lintel face of the fireplace.
  • You will notice that there are horizontal slats cut in the sheet metal just below the closed damper.

Those vent slats below the round damper gives you a pretty good place to tuck in a square Flueblocker. Measure the area below the damper (Image 1-3), and buy a Flueblocker that is a little larger than that area. Most of the time it requires a 12″x12″ Flueblocker, or a 16″x16″ trimmed down to fit. Just make sure you keep that pressure fit by having the pad be larger than the hole.

 

Because this install location is up out of reach, you will likely need to buy some extra 6″ Handle Extenders for your Flueblocker.