Fireplace Damper vs Chimney Balloon? Which one works better?

Q: Jason, You say that a Chimney Balloon fireplace damper can save you 14% on home heating. This number seems unreal. Where do you get such a figure? What does a Chimney Balloon do that a metal fireplace damper cannot do? - SH

A: Dear SH, I am really glad you challenge us on this. All marketing claims should be challenged! And I willbe happy to explain our figures. First of all the US Department of Energy says that the fireplace accounts for 14% of a homes heat loss. It stands to reason that if you seal your fireplace up tight and efficiently you will not be loosing this heat.

Now, there are average ways to stop that heat loss, like standard metal fireplace chimney dampers, or metal chimney top dampers. And, there are superior ways to stop that heat loss that will seal the flue off efficiently and not allow air to pass.

We hired a third party certified energy rater to put the Chimney Balloon on a head to head test against a metal damper and glass doors. The energy rater used a 1200 square foot ranch style home that was reasonably tight and energy efficient already. In this test he tested the home with the 9" round fireplace damper open (as if the fireplace had no damper). He tested the fireplace with the metal damper closed. He tested it with the fireplace glass doors closed, He tested it with the damper and the glass fireplace doors closed, And then he tested it with the Chimney Balloon installed.

The results of this test were as follows:

• The home was 27% more efficient with a Chimney Balloon than if it had no damper.
• The home was 16% more efficient with a Chimney Balloon than if the metal damper was closed.
• The home was 6% more efficient with a Chimney Balloon than if it the glass doors were closed

If you would like to see the entire results of this test of the fireplace damper vs Chimney Balloon please visit this link?: http://www.chimneyballoon.us/fireplacedampertest.html

To read more information about energy efficiency and how to tighten you home energy envelope visit: http://eere.typepad.com/energysavers/2008/10/reduce-your-hea.html

- Jason

Comments

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Hi,
Nice article.Well put about chimney balloon.Thanks for sharing your thoughts.