Chimney Balloon fireplace damper

How much is a custom Chimney Balloon for a double sided fireplace.

Q: Jason, I spoke to you on the phone about my double sided fireplace. There is about 3.5" from the bottom of the flue to the top of the arched opening into the family room. The dims are 42" x 27.5". None of your custome sizes looked like thay would work. Can i get one 45" x 31"? How much(go easy on me)? I live in Ohio. - KK

A: Dear KK, I wold go for the exact size that you need since these large balloons can be pricey. A 42x27 Chimney Balloon is a rather large Custom Balloon. I put that size on our Chimney Balloon custom page for you in case this is what you decide to do. Here is a link to the 42x27 order page, it costs $139.99.

You may find a better location to install a Chimney Balloon if you look for a spot with parallel walls either above or below the damper. Keep in mind you can use an HEK handle extender to install the Chimney Balloon higher. Large Chimney Balloons are difficult to make properly and require a lot of material so they do cost more than the smaller models. - Jason

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

Q: Jason, I purchased two Chimney Balloons. I have two zero clearance fireplaces and there is no way to put the 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 balloon then it would be too long for most applications and it would make the 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

Will a Chimney Balloon work in a Inglenook fireplace with an electric insert?

Q: Jason, I am putting an electric 'log burner' effect stove into the original inglenook fireplace. Can I use a chimney balloon? - SP

A: SP, You absolutely can use a Chimney Balloon in your Inglenook fireplace. Just install it before you put the electric fireplace insert in, and make sure the balloon is high enough as to not interfere with the electric insert. Considering you are in the UK you will want to contact Chimney Balloon LTD near Aldershot at 01252 319 325. Let me know if you have any further questions. - Jason

I removed the fireplace wood burning insert and the damper was destroyed! What now?

Jason - I was helping my grandmother out by removing her fireplace insert wood stove since she doesn't have the strength to use it anymore and it just leaks cold air in. When i finally got this 350lbs insert out I realized that the old damper was cut out with a blow torch when the insert was wood burning installed. this is a large fireplace so i got in there and measured the smoke chamber area for a Chimney Balloon. Will I have a problem with the chimney balloon since the damper is removed? I measured for a 48X18 Custom Chimney Balloon. -JC

JC, That is very nice of you to help out your grandmother like that. I certainly hope you didn't pull out that old wood burning fireplace insert by yourself. It sounds like an old cast iron model and those can be real behemoths to move. You are fine putting a Chimney Balloon in the smoke chamber of this fireplace. I was hoping we could find a spot a little lower and smaller but after our conversation on the phone it sounds like the smoke chamber is the best location since no other area has parallel walls. Just be very careful during install that the old damper hardware doesn't have and sharp edges to it. Blow torch cuts can often leave very sharp edges that should be filed or padded so it doesn't puncture your new Chimney Balloon. Let me know if you have any further questions. - Jason   

The cable to my Lymance damper is slicing my Chimney Balloon

Q: Jason, the cable that leads up to my Lymance chimney top damper seems to be puncturing my chimney balloon. I attached an image of the damper to show you where the cable is. -TP

A: TP- I see the cable as a very faint line just to the left of the Chimney Balloon valve in the picture. I see the cable runs along the edge of your metal damper there as well. What is happening is this cable is getting frayed over time as it rubs up and down against the metal edge of this damper opening. That frayed section of cable has little needle like protrusions and a flat side that is like a saw blade in roughness. I also notice that the chimney balloon is tight like a drum when installed. It is probably a little two tightly inflated.

Two things will help solve your issue here...

1. Remove your Chimney Balloon and wrap packaging tape around your chimney top damper cable in the area the Chimney Balloon will come in contact with it. This will keep the flat sharp end of this cable from cutting the balloon.
2. When you reinstall and inflate your balloon do not fill it so tightly full with air. You can leave a little give in it. - Jason

I am using my wood fireplace to help heat my home this winter.

  Q: Jason – In the winter I like to start a fire in my fireplace to help my furnace heat up my home and save some money. Only I have noticed that my furnace runs almost constantly when the fireplace is going. What is the deal? - CH

A: CH, There is a number of studies and articles on open fireplaces and how they take more than they give. An open fireplace on average runs at about 10% efficiency. This means if your fire produces 1000 BTUs that only 100 are going back into your house. There are some things that you can do to improve that efficiency (here is an article on how to improve the efficiency of a fireplace) but the fact is most of the heat is going to go right up the chimney in an open fireplace. The only reason to burn in an open fireplace is to have the ambiance of the flames. - Jason