Monday, 23 December 2013

Prevent heat transfer from the chimney through insulation material



When the winter arrives, all people start burning fireplaces. Fireplaces provide immense heat to the people living in the house. In order to maintain the consistent temperature and heat, a fireplace should be properly insulated. Fireplace insulation material is mixed with a small amount of water in order to make perfect mixture. This mixture is poured in the space between chimney liner and inside the masonry chimney. Insulation material is basically applied to maintain a consistent temperature in the fireplace and to prevent heat transfer.  It also provides strength to the chimney by increasing the life of the fireplace. Many types of fireplace insulation material are available like foil faced ceramic chimney insulation, UN-faced ceramic blanket insulation, Saf-T wrap insulation, etc.
                                                          Fireplace insulation material
                       

Choose and replace refractory panels for your fireplace

A refractory panel inside the fireplace is most important. It has number of critical properties like capacity to absorb extreme heat, good thermal properties and can be used in zero clearance wood or gas burning fireplaces. These refractory panels’ works as the side slabs for firebox of the fireplace. Refractory panels serve many purposes. It will provide protection to your firebox from extreme heat and also prevents fireplace from damage. It provides protection against heat and prevents your firebox from breakdown. The second purpose which these panels serve is to not let the heat back out from the room.

                                      

If you have decided to replacement refractory panels because of the regular burning from extreme heat or the panels become heavier, then you can replace them immediately with the newer one. You can contact to the manufacturers for the new refractory panels or can choose the new panels directly from the online portal. You can get new panels from the online store at reasonable price. The dimensions of each refractory panel are properly mentioned on the website where you can match your own fireplace dimension. So, buy and replace your refractory panels now.

Thursday, 19 December 2013

How chimney liner is beneficial for you?



A chimney liner is defined as the conduit installed in the inner part of the chimney. The purpose of chimney liner is to throw the combustion products out to the atmosphere directly. This process protects the walls of the chimney from the heat and corrosion. It is a mandatory component of the chimney. There are many benefit of the stainless steel chimney liner  if we will not only focus on the cost. The chimney liner protects flue system by inspecting that nearby combustible substances will not get affected by the heat.




                                                             

Main functions of chimney liners

•    Chimney liners protect the house from extreme heat transfer to combustibles. If the chimney is not lined, then it allows heat to transfer very rapidly from the chimney and let the adjacent things caught fire.
•    Chimney liners give total protection from the combustion of byproducts. It also provides protection from the flue gases as these gases are acidic in nature and will spoil the mortar joints very rapidly. Any problem in mortar joint allows heat to transfer very rapidly and also provides a path for carbon monoxide reach the nearby houses.

The chimney liners are very advantageous and it should be placed in every house with the chimney to avoid hazardous conditions.

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Cover you chimney with fine quality damper

A device that is used to cover the chimney when it is not in use is known as chimney damper. Chimney can be closed easily from the top with the help of the chimney damper. Damper is located on the top of the firebox of a chimney. If you want to keep the warm air in your house for a long time, then you must use a top chimney damper. It will keep the warm air in the house for long duration of time. Broken or leaky chimney damper is not good for your house. A quick replacement is necessary for the perfect working of the damper.
top chimney damper
You can find best chimney dampers with the companies who are the leading producers or manufacturers of the top chimney damper. The dampers developed by the companies are more energy efficient. These dampers are also very easy to install. Gaskets are installed in the backside of the dampers. You can install the damper according to the pre-set height which works as a cap for the chimney when it is not in use. Dampers are very useful component of a chimney as it allows heat to remain in the room for a long time.

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Enhance Chimney Performance with Chimney Exhaust Fans

Chimney fans, often referred to as chimney exhaust fans, can help to improve chimney performance and keep harmful combustion byproducts from entering the home environment. 
How Chimney Fans Work

If you have ever seen large fans atop restaurants and other large buildings, then you might already have some idea about how chimney exhaust fans work. Residential chimney fans are typically top mounted, and are meant to be used in conjunction with a number of different heating applications, including wood fireplaces and stoves, gas stoves and fireplaces, and oil or coal fired appliances. These fans can also be used with fireplace inserts, ovens, furnaces, small boilers, and other items that can cause an accumulation of any kind of fumes.
Chimney exhaust fans come in several sizes and configurations to fit a number of different types of chimneys; they are mounted on top the chimney and when activated, they literally suck smoke and other combustion byproducts up and out of the flue. Whether the chimney in question is fabricated of steel, masonry of any type, or cast material, there is a chimney fan available to get the job done right. Some types of chimneys, such as pre-fabricated chimneys and decorative chimney covers, may need to be fitted with special adaptors in order to achieve a perfect fit.
Most modern chimney fans are equipped with variable speed motors that assure the chimney fan won't over draft the heating appliance and cause overheating or costly excess fuel consumption. Chimney fans can be hard-wired into a home's electrical system so that residents can operate it with a user-friendly control system that works just the same way as control systems on other electrical appliances. With just a little practice, users learn how to operate their chimney exhaust fans to provide optimal draft for ideal fuel efficiency and better cost savings.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Chimney Liners: 7 Little Known Facts

Chimney liners have come a long way since they first debuted in the early 1900’s.  Sure to meet any need, chimney liners now come in many types including stainless steel, cast-in-place, and clay tiles.  Whether you need a clay tile liner or a stainless steel one, these versions allow anyone and everyone to find a chimney liner that meets (and exceeds) their expectations.

While many of us that have dabbled in the fireplace industry may feel like experts in the subject, there are many surprising, little known facts about chimney liners that you may not be aware of.  In this article, we will take time to dive more deeply into the world of chimney liners to discover 7 little known facts about them.

Liners Make Sure the Flue is Right Chimney liners help to ensure a correctly fitting flue is in place.  A correctly-sized flue allows for the optimum in heat efficiency as well as preventing creosote from building within the walls of the unit.

Cast-in-place is Permanent  –  If choosing a cast-in-place liner, homeowners can enjoy a permanent solution for all their chimney liner needs.  These lightweight liners constructed of cement-like materials are cast into the flue to create a seamless fit.

Clay Is Uneven–Clay tiles have been a popular choice in chimney liners for many, many years.  The clay material is readily available and the liners are fairly inexpensive to purchase. When working with clay though extra care must be taken to ensure the overall structure is kept safe. These tiles allow for the uneven spreading of heat within the flue leading to cracks in its surface.  A cracked tile must be repaired before using the unit again.
They’re Mandated – Although building codes can differ from state to state, many are unaware that numerous local fire codes now mandate a quality clay tile, cast-in-place, or stainless steel chimney liner.

They’re U.L. Tested – A stainless steel or metal chimney liner will, in most cases, be U.L. tested and listed making it safe and durable to install into a new system or retrofit into an existing flue.

Liners Protect the Masonry Work – Keeping corrosive byproducts flowing out of the flue, a chimney liner protects the masonry work from this deteriorating buildup.  Without the liner, the structure would become unstable much more quickly.

Stainless Steel Can Handle It All – A Duraflex Flexible stainless chimney liner can handle a number of different types of burning stoves and fireplaces.  In fact, you can use a stainless steel chimney liner with a fireplace burning wood, gas, or oil.

If you are in need of adding a chimney liner to an existing flue or are building a new fireplace make sure to consider these 7 little known facts when choosing a chimney liner right for your needs and environment.  When selecting a liner always take into consideration the type of flue that you will be working with, the flue’s overall shape, and also what it is constructed of.  Before you know it you will be enjoying a warm fire that is efficient and safe too!

Monday, 11 November 2013

Comparing Rigid and Flexible Chimney Liners

Chimney liners are an important component to any chimney one may come across.  The liner serves a number of purposes.  First, it controls the speed at which the heat moves from the chimney outside.  An unlined chimney allows the heat to move quickly through increasing the risk of starting nearby woodwork ablaze.  Second, a liner protects the masonry surrounds from creosote and other byproducts that can build from average use of the fireplace.  A chimney liner traps the debris inside of it and lessens the exposure to outside areas. Lastly, chimney liners are important to increasing the overall efficiency of a fireplace unit by creating a perfectly suited flue for heat to rise through.  Chimney liners come constructed in three main materials – clay, metal, and cement.  A liners flexibility or lack thereof will be dependent on the materials it is constructed of.  In this article, we will take a systematic approach to compare a rigid chimney liner to a flexible chimney liner.

When choosing between a flexible versus rigid chimney liner, homeowners will need to take into consideration a number of factors.  Price, maintenance requirements, and ease of service and installation can all differ between the two.  First, let’s discuss their difference in construction. Rigid liners are assembled from segments of pipe that is then installed into the flue.  A flexible liner is constructed from a continuous section of corrugate tubing and is fashioned as it is installed in the flue itself

How your chimney is shaped will have a huge impact on which liner you choose.  If the flue is offset from the fireplace or stove it is attached to than a flexible chimney liner would be the better option.  If the flue is direct and squarely centered on the unit, homeowners may opt for a rigid chimney liner. Having the ability to bend and conform to its environment, the flexible chimney liner offers greater utility for unique configurations.

Homeowners will also want to be aware of the cost variance between a flexibly chimney liner and its rigid counterpart.  The rigid liner is often less expensive as the materials used to construct it are more affordable.  A flexible chimney liner involves more parts and materials in it construction. A flexible liner also requires more craftsmanship and labor to make a liner unique to the application it is needed for.

Lastly, the maintenance of the liner will also very between the two.  Rigid liners are more prone to developing leaks because of how they are constructed.  They feature shorter segments of multiple pieces of metal where divides can form.   On the other hand, many rigid liners have a smooth service making them easy to clean.  A flexible chimney liner has a corrugated surface making the sweep process a little trickier.  As customer demand rises, many manufacturers are now offering smooth surface flexible chimney liners but often at a higher cost than their standard counterpart. 

Still unsure on which one is right for your home?  Contact a local chimney professional to assist you in making your decision.  They can examine your current chimney and fireplace, assess the environment in which you use the unit, and suggest a liner best-suited for your needs and unique circumstance.