Cast Stone Fireplace Mantel- Do You Know Why You Should Buy It
Were you enamoured by the presence of some lovely traditional fireplace mantels at a place that you had to visit recently? Do you feel you should have known about the spectacular ambience that these spectacular fireplace designs and a corresponding fireplace mantel design jointly bring to your home? Ask yourself to know How prepared you are to manage the expenses that fitting these mantels would cost you? I know you would be a touch apprehensive about your original idea as I bring in the effect of a factor called price. But you need not bother much. Cast stone fireplace mantels are lovely substitutes of all those expensive fireplace mantels such as limestone fireplace mantels, Rustic fireplace mantels, decorative fireplace mantel, antique fireplace mantel, so on and so forth.
Before you choose a supplier to buy these cast stone fireplace mantels, you need to know a few elementary things about cast stone and what it brings along in these fireplace mantels. Only when you know it, you would be able to compare and contrast the factors that determine your purchase. So, without any further delay we shall dive into it straight.
Cast stone is generally made use of in buildings which need a polished look on its outer surface so they look like they were made of a costly stone. A lot of interesting elements surround its production. In general, this is made by forming a proportionate blend out of a number of materials such as sand, limestone, a bonding agent and a few other additives to form a liquid paste with extreme thickness. This liquid mixture is then poured into a mold that is designed earlier. This pre-formed mold is structured as per customer requirements.
Now that you know how this is made, you should spend a while knowing its advantages as well. The cost factor is very heartening in this case. Unlike the expensive mantels, cast stone fireplace mantel doesn’t necessarily burn a hole in your pocket. This bears on the fact that the flexibility of the cast stone mold to take any shape or size doesn’t contribute much to the wastages involved as in the case of limestone and other costly materials. In addition, the speed in which the process happens also cuts down the costs even more.
Do you think you should not compromise between the lack of a particular style of pre-designed cast stone fireplace mantels to befit your preference and the soaring cost of a limestone fireplace mantel? If you think so, you should go for a custom made piece. You can find great designs and go for one that you hanker after. At an affordable cost. If you think you can afford more than what it generally costs, you can ask the supplier to let you choose a piece that is one of its kinds.
So why do you think you have to wait more? Don’t delay your purchase and make your mind to go for a fantastic cast stone fireplace mantel. You will never repent for it when you start using it.
The author has worked on many interior design projects in or near Los Angeles metro area. Author has designed specificaly several dozens of fireplace mantels to fit the overall design of the house.
beautiful fireplace mantels, stone fireplace shelf, stone fireplace ideas, stone fireplace surrounds, marble fireplace, limestone fireplace, old world texture, cast stone products, man-made stone.
Hearth Fireplace Rugs, Safety First and Beauty Second
A few hundred years in the past, hearth fireplace rugs were non-existent. The floors were dirt and sparks from the open hearth did no more damage then leave a few burn marks on some folk’s shins. Well in our world today, things have changed and we need to be as safe as possible.
Fire Resistant Hearth Rug: The most basic rug is a nylon hearth rug. These rugs are tough and hold up well under everyday conditions. Kids, the family dog or cat can give this rug as much abuse as they can. The way in which this type of rug works to protect a home is from separating the spark or ember from the burnable surface. They will melt if the ember is large enough. This however is preferable to burning a hole in your carpet or wood floor. These come in an array of solid colors and also attractive heathers and designs.
Wool Hearth Rugs: These rugs are the first ever made for the hearth. Wool rugs were common in the home for hundreds of years. They protect the home in a different way. The rug self smothers the errant ember. It does not melt but the ember can leave a char spot. This can be brushed away and show no sign of ever having a problem. These rugs are more expensive for the fact that they are a natural fiber and do cost more to produce. However, many different patterns and colors are available for your choice.
Hearth Rugs Fiberglass: This interesting hearth rug is in the way it is constructed. Fiberglass is, well, fiber glass. The material is non-combustible. Fiberglass is used in many differing ways for fire protection, from heat protection for professionals in industry to automobile racing. Fireproof blankets and other protection gear are routinely made with fiberglass. This type of hearth rug is 100% made from fiberglass. These rugs have proven to be the most effective in stopping damage from fireplace sparks. These most commonly come in solid colors for decorative purposes.
Hearth rugs are just one part in fireplace safety. When buying a rug check the tag for a rating. Ask the rug professional for help in determining proper size. Have a warm and happy home this winter.
James Dahlberg
Jim Dahlberg is the author/owner of Fireplace Accessories Plus. He has over 25 years commercial experience in the firewood industry. Fireplace Accessories Plus carries a wide selection from fireplace screen to fireplace rugs. View a selection of Half Circle Hearth Rugs.
With fuel costs rapidly increasing, it’s only practical that you use fireplaces that are more effective in providing heat. Traditional fireplaces are known for being inefficient in providing warmth in a home. In addition to that, they also require hauling firewood and cleaning ashes, tasks that most people would rather do without. Plus, traditional fireplaces are fire hazards. These are well-founded grounds that cause homeowners to look for other alternatives, like the gas fireplace insert.
Compared to wood-burning fireplace, a gas fireplace insert is a superior choice since it is cleaner, safer and easier to use. It offers the maximum level of convenience without burden. A gas fireplace insert does not only improve your environment aesthetically, it also provides home energy savings and can improve the efficiency of the fireplace by up to 85 percent. A gas fireplace insert also works well if you use your fireplace as a zone heater.
A gas fireplace insert, which can be operated at a flip of a switch, can be fitted easily into your existing fireplace and turn it into an efficient heat provider. A gas fireplace insert is made up of a gas log set fitted in a firebox that’s made of either steel or ceramic. A gas fireplace insert has a co-linear aluminum intake and exhaust liners that stretch out to the chimney top, where a converter box enables attachment of a co-axial cap. A gas fireplace insert is equipped with an external shell that delivers heated air into a room and cut down heat loss to the masonry. A gas fireplace insert also comes with panels that shield the fireplace opening. To facilitate heat movement in a room, most units are equipped with fans and are supplemented with wall-mounted thermostats or remote control devices to allow for automatic operation. A gas fireplace insert is also an environment-friendly device that produces cleaner flames, thus producing less pollution.
If you’re planning to install a gas fireplace insert, consider a direct vent gas fireplace insert. This type has been tested to have similar standards as with furnaces. A direct vent gas fireplace insert features a sealed combustion system that provides more heating efficiency. This system ensures that the combustion air that creates flames originated entirely from outside the home through a direct vent pipe. This procedure reduces heat loss, which is common in conventional chimneys. With a direct vent gas fireplace, 85 percent of generated heat remains in the house. Plus, the direct vent pipe also protects the quality of the air indoors by pushing out 100 percent of the fire’s combustion exhaust outside the house. Because of this, a direct vent gas fireplace insert is a healthier alternative to other heat-providing devices.
The modern gas fireplace insert of today looks similar to traditional fireplace inserts wherein the gas tube is mounted on the opposite side of the wall. This is to conceal it from plain view and allow easy reloading. Fireplaces that are equipped with inserts afford a simpler means of cleaning compared to open fireplaces given that the floors of inserts are flat and even allowing people to effortlessly clean ashes or dust.
A unit of gas fireplace insert can go from a low of a couple of hundred dollars to as high as several thousands of dollars. They come in different styles like the traditional masonry and contemporary looks.
JB Anthony is the webmaster of Fireplace-Ideas.Info. Get more of his FREE safety tips, fireplace designs and information on gas fireplace insert . Looking for more stuff for your house? Check out some nice cheap sofa beds here.
Stone Fireplace Designs Is A Representaion Of Elegance And Attractiveness
Whether or not all-natural or solid stone the layout of the stone fireplace is really a representation of elegance and elegance that can last permanently. Stone fireplaces are excellent by the mere reality that there’ll by no means be two stones that appear the same, even when they were made of the exact same all-natural stone and the exact same layout, they will usually differ, largely in texture and coloration.
Provided these facts, it goes without stating that with stone fireplace designs, you can opt for a fundamental standard style or even a modern intricate one, the option is all yours and what is lots extra, any design and style of a stone fireplace location will match in almost all environments.
Stone fireplace designs are recognized to supply not just these but additionally a feeling of refuge.
That mentioned, like fixing any other sort of fireplace, any stone fireplace mantel design and style that you opt for ought to adhere to your area’s neighborhood building codes, be suggested that the regional constructing codes greatly differ from one area to an additional. The key factor is to get a stone fireplace layout that fits underneath your area’s code therefore wouldn’t need any modifications simply because modifications tend to be pricey and can throw one off stability, to not mention that it may take you loads of time to be approved.
Make certain you get the right equipment to complement your stone fireplace style that will make a perfect mix into your new fireplace. Provided the immeasurable choices to customize a stone fireplace location into what ever layout, be it one that befits the normal surroundings around your house location, a rural design and style, a modern layout or possibly a classical style, you can produce an very bucolic location which will provide you with a actual sanctuary of peace and contentment.
Andre writes articles from various kinds of niches from home improvements, business and finance, as well as science and education.
Bob Strosin demonstrates how to put cultured stone on a home. Golden Eagle Log Homes supplies all the necessary material for fireplaces and rimboards in its log home packages. www.goldeneagleloghomes.com Log Homes and Log Home Floor Plans Cabins by Golden Eagle Log Homes Log Homes, building, construction, for sale, restoration, kit, tours, stone, cultured, fireplace
There are a number of styles available in the market and most of them reflect a certain historic period that includes the French and English renaissance, contemporary and Tudor. The baroque and arched styles available seems to be amongst the most common and popular types of marble fireplaces. However any of the fireplaces that is artistically designed or fashioned in marble is a quick attention grabber which most often lends character to your home. Some of the most spectacular among the marble fireplaces are custom carved by the professionals that are often carved out from a single block of marble.
Installing a marble fireplace
When it comes to installing a marble fireplace it would generally require a firm foundation due to its heaviness and the smoothness of the stone. Therefore the home owner will have to consult a professional architect to do the installation of marble fireplace.
Apart from this you will also discover that the marble fireplace metels are more cost relatively compared to the fireplace metels that are made of wood and any other material. This is generally because marble fireplace metels are usually not available so easily or are available readily at the retailing shops but they should be well researched and ordered for. However, if you are looking around for marble fireplaces then online is the best resource where you can find a wide variety of marble fireplaces? You will also come across different styles and shapes in fireplaces with a unique design. The price for the fireplace is also very affordable online as you can compare the price with different fireplaces of different make. However a marble fireplace is just the only fashion piece that can give an elegant look to your house.
About the Author:
The author writes articles on thefireplacewarehouse.co.uk. For more information about Fireplace Warehouse, Largest Fireplace Retailer Selling Gas, Electric, Wood, Marble Fireplaces, Stoves and fireplace surrounds in Burnley, Bolton & Oldham can be found on the net. Please visit http://www.thefireplacewarehouse.co.uk/
Various Marble fireplace Mantels in our showroom. Replace that old fireplace mantel or fireplace surround. 100s of fireplace mantel designs like, French fireplace mantels, Marble fireplace mantels, Limestone fireplaces, Custom fireplace mantels, Hand carved fireplace mantels. email today,… Video Rating: 3 / 5
The fascinations of the wall mount electric fireplace wall mount electric fireplace have been objects of both functionality and beauty. wall mount electric fireplace provide heat and ambience to a certain place in the house. The evolution of the wall mount electric fireplace has taken great jumps in the recent years as we saw the ascendancy of the electrical fireside.
during the old days, folk only had the option of having a wood-fired wall mount electric fireplace. As time went by, gas-powered wall mount electric fireplace gained recognition as they were relatively cheaper to maintain. But due to technology and the necessity for fireplaces which can be installed quickly and can be maintained simply, the wall mount electric fireplace was born.fireplace simulate the flames of normal fireplaces. Literally, nothing is being burnt and the semblance of burning is achieved thru the employment of audio and visible effects. Wall mount electric fireplace can be installed quickly where there is access to electricity.
noted below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of electric fireplaces that should be considered by those people that would want to avail of these latter-day fireplaces.
- straightforward to install
The wall mount electric fireplace is very easy to install in comparison to the normal fireplaces. There are models today that may be installed in less than an hour. wall mount electric fireplace don’t actually need additional space because a lot of them are mounted against walls. A number of them can be installed in places where previous fireplaces are found.
electric fireplace kits come with easy-to-understand and simple-to-follow installation kits. Installing electrical fire also need the basic tools like screwdrivers, glass cleaners and the like.
-Environment-friendly
As compared to the conventional wood and gas- fired fireplaces, the electric fireplaces are comparatively more environment-friendly. They do not emit any smoke and extra carbon-dioxide into the air because they make use of electricity. wall mount electric fireplace aren’t carbon neutral though, because the electricity that is utilised by these fireplaces comes from the grid which also emits Carbon emissions. However [*COMMA] this fact is possibly more environment-friendly than burning wood directly in fireplaces.
-Convenience
Don’t you hate the undeniable fact that you would need to put out the fire in the wall mount electric fireplace when you are already sleeping? This inconvenience is solved by the electric fireplaces since they usually come with remote controls. There also are models which have a built in temperature reader. They automatically turn off when the required temperature is reached. Some electric fireplace models today have air filtration systems and fans which distributes the heat uniformly across the room. One can also isolate the cultured value of the electrical fire from its heating function. During summer ( when fireplaces are not really used ), electric fireplace owners can switch off the heating function of the wall mount electric fireplace and turn the fake flames on to be able to give the room a good glow and ambience.
-Versatility and style
wall mount electric fireplace can be terribly flexible indeed. Apart from the undeniable fact that one can turn the ?fire? Without having to stress about the heat, the fake fire may also be altered according to the flavor of the homeowner. Modern designs allow owners to change the speed and color of the ?fire? Of wall mount electric fireplace. This is critical for people who would like to incorporate the look of the hearth and the ?fire? Into the whole look of the room.
Let us look at some of the disadvantages that come with electric fireplaces.
-It’s merely a space heater
Let us confess, electric fireplaces are really high-end space heaters. If you are not too enthusiastic about the cultured value of having a wall mount electric fireplace, he can settle with space heaters which are definitely less pricey than wall mount electric fireplace.
- The illusion is not quite good enough
Some folks are not satisfied with the way in which the ?fire? Of the wall mount electric fireplace looks. [**] thanks to the rapidly-evolving technologies that are incorporated with more moderen models, the appearance of burning has been improved seriously. But then again, no one can ever disagree that the illusion is much better than the real deal.
These are just some of the different features and disadvantages of wall mount electric fireplace. These models can truly be helpful for people who would like to have the comfort and the great thing about having a fireplace but aren’t truly into the installation and maintenance of a traditional fireplace. Again, it is really a matter of private preference, of want and desires. It’s just good that the option is available.
A gas fireplace is mostly a firebox with a glass face to see the fire. Most of the designs of gas fireplaces are made per specifications provided by the customer. These fireplaces have ducts that help with even distribution of the heat to different corners of the room. This allows for your fireplace to not only work more efficiently, but it leads to maximum utilization of heat and less waste of gas.
Whether it is a gas or a direct vent fireplace, both have a sealed combustion chamber for the release of emissions through the chimney or vent. A gas fireplace in Atlanta has many advantages being that itâs convenient and ignites at the press of the switch. A new range of natural gas fireplaces is getting increasingly popular amongst buyers in the market.
These fireplaces keep the house clean and produce less pollution in comparison to the wood-burning fires. A high quality natural gas fireplace in Atlanta heats up to 1,000 square feet of living space efficiently and turns out to be the most cost-effective fireplace option.
Most of us think that revamping the whole hearth is the only option left after picking out the fireplace mantel. But, you can also give your fireplace a new look by installing a gas electric fireplace that has following pros and cons:
Positives of a Gas Fireplace
Gas Fireplace has many benefits like:
⢠It is reliable and easy to control. Nowadays, gas fireplaces with a remote and a single button allow for easy, hassle-free operation. There are also fireplaces fitted with timers, so that one can control the total time for which the fire should burn.
⢠Most of the gas fireplaces can be easily inserted and fitted into the old firebox. If you are going for an un-vented gas fireplace, it won’t require a chimney. A vented gas fireplace needs a chimney so that waste product is immediately expelled out.
⢠With a gas fireplace, 70% of the heat remains in house instead of being lost in the atmosphere.
⢠When you are using gas fireplace, no time is wasted in building a fire or cleaning the ash later.
Negatives of a Gas Fireplace
Undoubtedly, a gas fireplace is a great addition to your home, but there area few things to consider:
⢠If you are buying an un-vented gas fireplace, you should know that it has oxygen depletion sensors for turning the gas off if the carbon monoxide level increases. You might be required to install additional carbon monoxide detectors in your home as an extra precaution.
⢠You can not get the authentic crackle and smell of the burning wood in the fireplace.
⢠Because the un-vented gas fireplace is hot as the natural gas burning inside it, you have to take extra precautions if there are children or pets in your home.
⢠A gas fireplace creates extra moisture because water is a byproduct of combustion of a gas fireplace.
A fireplace is an object of such great joy and comfort. It is easy to picture out the whole family or a group of friends on the hearth of a stone fireplace wrapped in blankets, swapping storied and sharing eggnog or marshmallows. In one’s imagination, all this may seem so soothing and appealing. This is probably why many families still choose to have a wood or stone fireplace around. The thing is, when winter is over, one is invariably faced with the prospect of having to scrub a stone fireplace clean. All of a sudden everyone just wants to keep as far away as possible form what was once a cozy stone fireplace.
There are of course, many different ways to clean a stone fireplace. You should take into consideration such things as stone fireplace material, fireplace age, fireplace condition and cleaning implements and ingredients to be used. Be forewarned that not every solution is full proof and may even damage your stone fireplace depending on its condition and the existence of previous damages. You should try different ideas for cleaning a stone fireplace with the understanding that you may be experimenting.
During Winter
It would help you a lot if you tried to minimize the dirt on your stone fireplace while you are actually using it. You should consider putting an aluminum sheet under your stone fireplace grate and pulling the sheet out after use so that you don’t have to extensively sweep the ashes out. Of course, you can always do it the old fashioned way and clean the ash with a broom and dustpan. For soot problems, a good home remedy is to throw some salt into the fire to get rid of the unsightly black stains.
Homemade Solutions
You can clean the soot off your stone fireplace wall and face by using a variety of homemade methods. You can try a few for your stone fireplace but not every solution will work. Some will recommend spraying water on the stone fireplace face or wall to make the absorption of the cleaning implements faster. Others however would simply recommend gentle scrubbing with a combination of water and detergent. You can also try washing the stone with an all purpose cleaner first and then scrubbing with mild body soap and water, intermittently applying the all purpose cleaner.
Trisodium Phosphate
If all else fails, mix a gallon of water with half a cup of trisodium phosphate and scrub your stone fireplace clean. This mixture is toxic though so you should make sure that you have a proper mask and gloves and that all your windows open for proper ventilations. Be certain that you have covered your other pieces of furniture or carpet.
The Experts
You probably can clean your stone fireplace on your own. You have to think though of calling in the experts at least once a year to thoroughly clean your fireplace of soot and ash. You chimney should of course be handled by experts and should be regularly checked for damages.
JB Anthony is the webmaster of Fireplace-Ideas.Info. Get more of his FREE tips and information on Stone Fireplace. For more cool home stuff, you may want to check out a nice audio rack mount here.
Seal Fireplace Dampers With Weatherstripping to Conserve Energy
Introduction
When fireplaces are not being used, they should be sealed with weatherstrip to air seal the damper and prevent wasted energy. The common perception should be that just like doors and windows, fireplaces require weatherstripping to prevent energy loss.
Leaking Fireplace Dampers Waste Energy
Fireplaces are the largest intentional opening in the home, costing U.S. families over ,100,000,000 (based on figures as of March 2005) each year in wasted energy costs.
Like a door or window, fireplaces are openings to the outdoors and should be weatherstripped to prevent the loss of heated and/or cooled air. By weatherstripping the fireplace, several benefits are achieved including improved comfort, energy conservation, reduced energy costs, reduced noise, and improved indoor air quality.
Fireplace dampers are not effective at sealing the fireplace. When dampers are closed they do not provide an air tight seal and are quite ineffective at controlling undesired air leakage. Most fireplace dampers are left open. A study showed that 80% of fireplace dampers are inadvertently left in the open position1. Many fireplaces have broken and/or missing dampers.
In a 1990 study designed to measure the leakage area of fireplace with and without the damper closed, Energy Options Northwest had this impressive finding; the effective leakage area (ELA) of the fireplace dampers averaged about 30 square inches when closed. As a frame of reference, the total ELA of typical houses built to moderately tight standards is between 70 and 120 square inches. These results demonstrate that by weatherstripping the fireplace, the total effective leakage area (ELA) of the house can be reduced by 25 – 43%.
Another research study performed in Europeshowed similar results. The study showed that an open damper on an unused fireplace in a well-insulated house can raise overall heating and cooling energy consumption by 30%2.
The majority of energy loss in the home is due to air leakage. Air leakage, or infiltration, occurs when outside air enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. Properly air sealing such cracks and openings in your home can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment.
Building scientists and other experts agree that a significant amount of energy costs are wasted due to air leakage. Warm air leaking into the home during the summer and out of the home during the winter waste a substantial amount of energy dollars. See the collection of web references at the end of this paper.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the typical U.S. family spends approximately ,300 a year on home utility bills, of which 44% goes for heating and cooling (as of March 2005). In fact, the average American household’s annual utility bill expected to rise to about 00 by 20153.
Inadequately sealed fireplaces are noted as being one of the worst air leakage sources in the home. According to the D.O.E.4, by weatherstripping the fireplace, the typical U.S. home can reduce air leaks by 14% or more.
According to 2004 US Census Data5, there are 76,217,000 family households in the U.S. By multiplying the number of family households by the typical savings possible by weatherstripping the fireplace, the total annual energy cost savings that can be achieved by weatherstripping fireplaces is ,100,000,000. This incredible amount can be expected to rise to ,400,000,000 annually by the year 2015.
Of course not every home in the U.S. has a fireplace. However this only serves to increase the energy cost burden for the homes that do have fireplaces.
According to estimates there are 33,000,000 fireplaces in the U.S. By dividing the total annual energy cost savings that can be achieved by weatherstripping fireplaces by the number of homes with fireplaces, the average annual savings that can be achieved by weatherstripping the fireplace would conservatively be about 0 – 0 per fireplace.
Not Just Heating Losses Occur – Consider Air Conditioning Losses
Energy loss through fireplaces is not just heat loss. Fireplaces can also cost wasted air conditioning.
Consider a typical home that is provided with central air conditioning, and a fireplace. Air leaks in and out of ducts at all the connections within a system (e.g. at plenums and behind registers)6.
Of course this leakage means that air that occupants have paid to have heated or cooled escapes from the heating or cooling system and does not heat or cool the house. Air leaks into the heating or cooling system increase the amount of outside air that must be heated or cooled. Outside air is usually cooler (for heating) or warmer and more humid (for cooling) than air inside the house and the heating or cooling capacity of the system is then used to heat or cool this outside air instead of the air in the house. These issues are well documented and well understood.
But these air leaks also force air through the fireplace. How? By the pressure differential created by the duct leakage. Depending on where the duct leak is, it can cause a slight reduction or increase in the pressure inside of the home. Because the fireplace is a wide open hole to the outdoors, this will cause your air conditioning to either push air out of the fireplace, or worse, suck air in through the fireplace bringing odors and toxins in with it.
Other Benefits of Sealing the Fireplace
By weatherstripping the fireplace, several benefits are achieved, including improved comfort, energy conservation, reduced energy costs, reduced noise, and improved indoor air quality.
Un-weatherstripped fireplaces allow annoying and uncomfortable downdrafts. Back drafting brings cold air in winter that must be heated, and warm air in summer that must be cooled. Smoke particles and soot from a fireplace can enter into the living space, contributing to odors, poor indoor air quality, asthma, and other undesired problems.
When the fireplace is not weatherstripped, windows and doors can seem to have a cold breeze coming through them. This is caused by a condition known as the stack effect. Between the higher and lower pressure zones of the home lies a neutral pressure zone. The neutral pressure zone tends to move toward the largest air leak. The chimney’s neutral pressure zone is above the neutral pressure zone of the house. This creates a flow of air out the chimney even when no fire is burning. As the large volume of air is drawn up the chimney, warm air from other areas of your house goes up the chimney, too. This robs heat from the other rooms and pulls cold air into the home through cracks around windows and doors that have not been completely sealed. Sealing the fireplace helps stop the ‘breeze’ coming from your doors and windows.
Energy Codes Require All Openings Be Sealed
Energy Codes in force across North America require that all openings in the building envelope (doors, windows, attic access, etc) be caulked, gasketed, weatherstripped, or otherwise sealed to limit air infiltration and exfiltration. This is because air leakage through cracks can result in higher energy use for home heating and cooling than necessary.
The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC™) – is the latest version of the Model Energy Codes. All 50 states (as well as our territories) have adopted an Energy Code either the same as or based on the IECC Model Energy Code. The Code specifies that all penetrations in the building envelope between conditioned and unconditioned space that are sources of air leakage must be sealed with durable caulking materials, closed with gasketing systems, weatherstripping or otherwise sealed to limit uncontrolled air movement.
According to the “Plan Check & Field Inspection Guide for 1992 MEC, 1993 MEC, and 1995 MEC”, as well as the “Plan Check & Field Inspection Guide for 1998 IECC and 2000 IECC”, inspectors are instructed to verify that all doors between conditioned and unconditioned spaces have door boots and weatherstripping.
When inspecting for the Residential Provisions of the IECC/MEC, Building Inspectors are taught that proper air sealing will not only decrease the energy use of the building, but it will also increase the comfort of the homeowner and the durability of the home.
Building Inspectors are also taught that all penetrations in the building envelope between conditioned and unconditioned space must be sealed with durable caulking materials or closed with gasketing materials.
Like a door or window, fireplaces are openings to the outdoors and should be weatherstripped to prevent the loss of heated and/or cooled air. By weatherstripping the fireplace several benefits are achieved, including improved comfort, energy conservation, reduced energy costs, reduced noise, and improved indoor air quality.
Mechanical Codes Require Dampers to Be Permanently Blocked Open With Gas Log Sets
In an apparent violation of the Model Energy Codes, there currently exists a requirement in the 2003 International Residential Code (IRC) that the fireplace damper must be permanently blocked open when a vented gas log set is installed. This is intended to sufficiently prevent the spillage of combustion products into the room when the fireplace is used, and to prevent build up of gas should the pilot flame be inadvertently extinguished.
The unintended consequence of blocking the damper open is, of course, significant energy loss when the fireplace is not being used. This requirement is not in agreement with the Model Energy Codes that require all openings to be caulked, gasketed, weatherstripped, or otherwise sealed to limit air infiltration and exfiltration.
An alternative would be to simply instruct the homeowner to open the damper when using the fireplace. Instead of the IRC requirement that encourages energy loss, a reasonable solution would be to require a CO detector to notify the occupants of a build-up of combustion products into the room if the fireplace is used when the damper is accidentally left closed. At least one state (Massachusetts) currently requires homes to be provided with CO detectors7.
The Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) requires all gas logs be equipped with a safety pilot control. The safety pilot maintains a pilot light and prevents gas flow to the main burner if the pilot is not lit.
Solutions Exist Today To Weatherstrip Fireplaces
There are several devices available today that are used to seal the fireplace. For example, top mounted chimney dampers. These are relatively expensive and have a poor return on investment (ROI). In addition they do not seal the fireplace at the bottom damper, leaving the chimney with all of its odors, toxins, and pollutants exposed to the home. In addition they do not address the wasted energy required to condition the chimney space.
It is often assumed that glass doors are a solution for sealing leaking dampers. This is not true, as glass doors do not air seal the fireplace opening. They do have decorative benefits, however.
There are other products available at hardware stores, etc. to temporarily seal off the flue and stop air from escaping up the chimney. One type of weatherstripping product is an inflatable plug that you insert into the fireplace beneath the damper. This type of weatherstripping is made of heavy plastic with an attached tube for inflating the device. The tube hangs down into the fireplace to remind you that the stopper is there. It can be removed to use the fireplace, and reinstalled again after. These devices have a very high return on investment (ROI), and can pay for themselves in one mid-winter heating bill.
Conclusions
There are 33,000,000 fireplaces in the U.S. As of March 2005, the total energy cost savings that can be achieved by weatherstripping fireplaces in the U.S. is ,100,000,000, or conservatively about 0 – 0 per fireplace, annually. This incredible amount can be expected to rise to ,400,000,000 annually by the year 2015, or in excess of 0 per fireplace, annually.
There are devices available today to weatherstrip the fireplace that can provide a very high return on investment (ROI), and can pay for themselves in as little as one mid-winter heating bill.
Public awareness through education, training, and other methods are required to alert consumers of the amount of wasted energy from fireplaces, and to provide solutions.
The following action items are urged:
Educate the general public about the enormous cost of energy loss through fireplaces, and of the various ways to seal these openings between uses of the fireplace. Add the requirement to weatherstrip fireplace dampers to the Model Energy Codes. Allow an alternative to the energy wasteful requirement in the Codes that require the fireplace damper to be blocked open when vented gas logs are installed. As an alternative, the Code should allow the option to not block the fireplace damper in the open position when homes are provided with CO detectors and a safety pilot control. Conduct further study of energy loss through the fireplace in both heating and cooling climates.
References:
1 Study documented by Joe Pate, Enviro Energy International Inc.
2 Ventilation perturbations due to an open fireplace in a house – P. Dalicieux and C. Nicolas.
About the author: Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, and is the U.S. Distributor of the Fireplace Plug. To learn more visit www.batticdoor. com
Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover and an attic access door. Battic Door is the US distributor of the fireplace plug.
A Virtual Fireplace on YouTube! Enjoy this 10 minute very cozy virtual fireplace video in High Quality right now — or — Download the 30 minute digital HD version of this for only .99! This Yule Log fire video is great for creating a relaxing environment at family gatherings, in offices, on laptops and more. Download the HD version and play it on your PC or Mac, or stream it to connected devices such as Plasma and LCD screens or Projectors. HD Windows Media Player Version: store.payloadz.com (750Mb) HD QuickTime, iTunes & AppleTV version: store.payloadz.com (860Mb) For those with portable media players and streaming devices like the WDTV Media player from Western Digital, save to a USB hard drive or thumbdrive and stream it directly to your big screen over HDMI. An iPod version is also available. Shot in high definition 1080p. Be sure to watch this in “High Quality” mode! Make yourself some hot cocoa then kick back, relax and enjoy a virtual hearth in this widescreen high quality version of a very cozy fireplace. This special youtube fire is just a 10 minute version of a 30 minute looping version available on standard DVD and 720p HD direct download. This is not an animation, it’s an ambient fireplace experience, with real burning wood, directly from the Pacific Northwest. For those without fireplaces, what could be better during the holidays than some cozy virtual flames at your PC or streaming on your tv? Expand the video player to full screen for maximum warmth. Enjoy! Video Rating: 4 / 5
