A fireplace is a very attractive feature in any room, however most fireplaces send more heat up the chimney than into the home.

A typical fireplace can draw 400 cubit feet of oxygen out of the home, causing significant heat loss throughout the home. If the damper is open or not well sealed when closed, heated air from the room will be drawn up the chimney, making the house cold and increased fuel bills.

When burning wood, such as soft wood or pine, it is important to have your chimney cleaned out regularly due to Creosote build up, which could result in a chimney fire.


Another thing: A fireplace can add hundreds of dollars to your heating bill even when you are not using it. If the damper is open or not well sealed when closed, heated air from the room will be drawn up the chimney and you’ll never realize why the house is so cold or the fuel bills are so high.

Fireplaces – and all combustion appliances, such as gas/oil furnaces and gas water heaters – require fresh air for effective burning.

Because today’s homes are often tightly sealed for energy efficiency, you may not achieve complete combustion or the chimney may not effectively draw the smoke and gases away. That means dangerous carbon monoxide can be produced and enter the house, with potentially lethal results.

Smoke stains on the front of the fireplace is one clue that such a problem may exist.

A faulty flue or a deteriorated chimney, or a chimney without protective devices to keep birds, squirrels and even raccoons from blocking the airflow are also sources of trouble, ranging from annoyance to disaster.

Fortunately, there are solutions that mean you can enjoy your fireplace in comfort and security, and Belvedere has been called on to provide all of them over the years.

The most simple step is to correct any deficiencies in the chimney. It is also important to ensure that there’s a separate flue for each appliance that produces exhaust, such as the furnace and each fireplace in the house.

Tuckpointing the chimney and installing a proper cap will prevent bricks, mortar and animals from falling into the flue.   This will ensuring that the damper closes properly and installing glass doors will help prevent heat loss when the fireplace is not being used.

By adding a supplemental air intake for combustion air can improve burning efficiency and prevent problems in air-tight homes.