Fireplace Improvements and Efficiency
A fireplace that’s not in use could be creating a convection current, pulling conditioned air out of the house. Often the metal damper used to close the chimney does not form an effective seal so even in the case of the flue being closed, air is still flowing out. A top sealing damper with a silicone seal may be installed fairly easily. Even easier to install is a fireplace plug. Made of 14ml polyurethane, a fireplace plug is inflated inside the chimney below the damper. It can be removed when one want to light a fire and re-installed once the fireplace cools. To find out about this safe, inexpensive option, go to http://www.fireplaceplug.com/solution.htm
To get the most heat out of the fire in your fireplace consider a fireback. A fireback is a cast iron plate set in the back of the fireplace. It stores heat and radiates it out into the room. Another option to get more heat from your fire is a fireplace heater. Fireplace heaters are installed in the fireplace with a fan on the outside which blows hot air into the room. The efficiency of the fireplace is greatly increased.
