Chimney cap dampers close the entire top of the chimney so they reduce heat loss when the fireplace is not being used but don t improve efficiency otherwise.
Cheap ways to make fireplace more efficient.
It s a lot easier than you might think to have an efficient gas fireplace insert installed.
This process focuses on updating just the surface of the fireplace.
Install a fireback a cast iron plate that is placed at the back of your fireplace.
They also generate significantly greater levels of radiant heat.
Some fireplaces include a built in heat exchanger channels where room air can circulate around the hot parts of the structure either through natural air flow or forced by a fan.
But if the heat produced by the fireplace is the whole point converting with a gas insert is a good way to keep money from going up the chimney and make your fireplace more efficient.
A built in fan distributes heat into the.
The fireback improves the fireplace s efficiency by absorbing the heat from the fire and radiating the heat back into the room.
Use aluminum foil to make your fireplace more efficient fireplaces are wonderfully cozy to sit around in the colder parts of the year but they re really not that great for heating your home.
The air absorbs the heat and returns it to the room.
Since tearing it out can be both messy and costly many homeowners opt for a more cost efficient alternative.
The most efficient but expensive fix is to install an insert into your fireplace essentially turning it into a miniature wood stove.
Gas burning fireplaces if you re tired of shoveling ashes and hauling wood a gas burning fireplace insert is a more efficient option that also saves space.
There are two main strategies for improving fireplace efficiency.
Oak for example burns hot and slowly which will reduce smoke and ash as well as the amount of residue that will build up on the inside of the chimney.
160 to 400 for a.
Gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts allow less air to be lost outside of the house and are made to operate more simply and cleanly than wood fireplaces.
For more information on these techniques and more including.
Most fireplaces convert only 15 of wood s energy into useful heat but inserts can increase the efficiency of a fireplace by a factor of five.
The blower pushes heated air out into the room versus letting most of it go up the chimney.
Glass doors help reduce heat loss when used to control air flow.