Fireplaces are a major source of energy loss in the home. Research has established that leaving the damper open on a fireplace that is not in use, particularly in a home that is well insulated, can increase total energy consumption by 30 percent. Hot air rises, and it will rise right out of your home through your fireplace. This is the equivalent of leaving a window open in the house all through the winter!
So what’s the solution? There are a number of products designed to take care of this problem. They go by names such as fireplace plug, chimney plug, Chimney Balloon
Most fireplaces feature a damper that is intended to keep out downdrafts of cold air from the outside and also retain warm air inside the house. Damper plates, however, are prone to warping, which reduces their effectiveness considerably. But a fireplace plug inserted into the chimney can effectively block the transfer of air in both directions.
Most of these products are inflatable devices that are positioned in the chimney and then filled with air. They are easily removable for when you want to light a fire. Your chimney will be 98 percent sealed. At a cost of approximately $50, some people find that they pay for themselves in just one month.
