American Energy
Tips for taking the chill off
By James Dulley
Q: We have some firewood, so I have been using our open masonry fireplace to help lower our heating bills. It is not helping and the house actually feels colder. Is there anything I can do? -- Thomas M.
A: If you have a standard open masonry fireplace, your house may actually be colder than if you did not burn a fire. Although the room with the fireplace may be very warm when a fire is burning, overall more heat is being drawn from the rest of your house and lost up the chimney.
What makes things worse is most chimney dampers do not seal well and already-heated room is sucked up your chimney 24 hours each day. When you are not using your fireplace, insert an inflatable chimney balloon (also called chimney pillow) into the flue to seal it. Battic Door makes an easy-to-install one.
The following company offers fireplace efficiency products: Battic Door, (508) 320-9082, www.batticdoor.com |
