Does your home feel drafty when you’re not using your fireplace? Does the house feel cool even though you’re running your central heating? There are several possible reasons for this. The one we want to look at here is your chimney.
FlameMaster Chimney Sweep of Crystola, CO, has four useful tips for preventing cold air from blowing down your chimney and into your home. We’ll also talk a little about some fireplace upgrades that will bring you more heat.
Stopping the cold airHere are four strategies.
The first thing to check if you’re experiencing cold, drafty air is your fireplace damper. If the damper is damaged or warped and won’t shut completely, it’s easy for cold chimney air to move right into your home. Have your damper inspected if you believe this may be the problem.
Top-mount dampers create a seal at the top of your chimney and keep much of the cold outside air from getting into your chimney flue. As with a throat damper (located just above the firebox), top-mount dampers can be opened when the fireplace is in use and closed when it isn’t.
Chimney plugs, also called “chimney balloons,” are inflatable devices placed above the throat damper and then inflated. This effectively blocks air flow when the fireplace isn’t being used.
Glass fireplace doors are another way to seal off the exchange of air and prevent drafts. Not only will they keep your home warmer, they’ll add a touch of elegance to your hearth area.
Open masonry fireplaces are designed more for aesthetic enhancement than for heat. If you really love using a fireplace but want something more efficient, a fireplace insert might be the perfect upgrade.
Inserts are designed to fit right into your existing firebox. They can run on either gas or wood, and they retain the majority of the heat they generate. This means more heat in your home. Additionally, they operate on a “closed” system that prevents much of the draftiness common with masonry fireplaces.
Another option is a manufactured gas or wood fireplace. These appliances are ready to be installed in a wall and bring beauty and a lot more heat to your room. Both fireplace inserts and manufactured fireplaces use their own vent systems, so there’s no need to build a chimney or modify an existing one.
Cold drafts and heat loss are two potential problems with fireplace and chimney systems. There are other potential problems, such as masonry damage, excess creosote that causes chimney fires, issues with the chimney liner and more.
The key to keeping your fireplace safe and efficient is having it inspected once a year by a licensed chimney inspector. When the flue needs cleaning, have it cleaned. When repairs are required, see to them sooner rather than later.
FlameMaster Chimney Sweep provides expert chimney inspections, cleaning and repair work throughout Crystola, CO, Woodland Park, CO, Colorado Springs, CO, Divide, CO, Manitou Springs, CO, Cripple Creek, CO, Victor, CO, and other local communities.
We also sell and install the very best manufactured fireplaces, heating stoves and fireplace inserts. Visit our showroom at 11164 US 24 in Woodland Park. Speak with a chimney professional today at (719) 661-3277 or reach out with our simple contact form.
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