by Mark Hudson | Jan 30, 2019 | Chimney Damper
The chimney is as long-lasting as your house itself, which is why you may have a historical home with old parts and components. Over the years, advancements in chimney science and technology have resulted in new products that bring up the efficiency of your old chimney. At Hudson Chimney we revitalize old chimneys and improve efficiency and function by installing energy top dampers and clean-out doors.
Energy Top Dampers
Named for their energy saving capabilities, the energy top damper is also called the top mount damper. It is a damper that is installed on the top of the chimney instead of the traditional metal dampers which are installed in the throat of the chimney. Many homeowners like to replace a throat damper with the new energy top dampers in order to start reaping benefits right away.
Airtight seal – The energy top damper is equipped with an airtight seal that prevents air, moisture, and animals or insects from entering.
Chimney cap – Energy top dampers double as a chimney cap, keeping animals, water, and wind out even when it’s open.
Ease of use – With a handle that reaches to the hearth, it’s easy to engage and disengage the damper from indoors.
Durable – Made of stainless steel and aluminum, the energy top damper doesn’t rust or corrode. It is long-lasting and unaffected by soot and creosote which may cake the interior of the flue.
Pre-set – The damper remains open by default for maximum safety and always opens to the perfect pre-set height.
Once your energy top damper is installed, you will start reaping the benefits right away. The new damper will save you money year-round, preventing heated air loss through winter, and conditioned air loss throughout the off-season. With this new addition, you can save up to 75 percent on heating and cooling costs.
Chimney Clean-Out Doors
The clean-out doors are the “back door” to the chimney which allows for easier access to the flue and chimney for cleaning. Not only does a new clean-out door make your chimney more accessible, but will also help you notice and diagnose chimney problems. You may not see evidence of chimney damage in your stove or fireplace, but when you find fragments of clay tiles or mortar in your clean-out door, you know there is a problem. Your clean-out door makes the flue more accessible to you, the homeowner, but also offers another route to the chimney professional who may come and clean or repair your chimney system.
Whether you’re replacing a damaged damper or looking to improve efficiency or value, we have what you’re looking for. At Hudson Chimney we use our experience and expertise to bring safety and efficiency to our customers’ homes and lives.
Call and speak with a chimney expert at 904-282-4159.
by Mark Hudson | Dec 29, 2017 | Chimney Damper
Chimneys are made of many parts, some hidden completely and some right in the open. All the chimney’s parts are vital to its function and should be assessed annually, repaired as needed, and professionally serviced. The damper is one part of the chimney that is completely hidden from the homeowner’s view, and it may be the oldest part—in most need of repair or replacement.
The Problem with Throat Dampers
Traditional masonry chimneys were equipped with throat dampers, commonly made of cast iron or another sort of metal. These dampers can become rusted over time, especially when the chimney hasn’t been properly maintained. Throat dampers can become rusted, become stuck in open or closed position, or even break. A homeowner may go days or weeks without even realizing the damper has malfunctioned. A faulty damper can cause a loss of heated or conditioned air, can raise the risk of flue fire, and can expose your family to toxic carbon monoxide gas.
Top Mount Dampers
At Hudson Chimney, we have been servicing chimneys in the Jacksonville, Florida area for over 30 years. When it’s time to replace a damaged throat damper, we recommend top mount dampers. Top mount dampers, also called energy top or energy saving dampers, have many benefits that you don’t see with a traditional throat damper.
- Protect the chimney from top to bottom. The top mount damper functions as a chimney cap, keeping animals, precipitation, and wind out of the chimney opening. Unlike a cap, the top mount damper closes with an airtight seal. You don’t have to worry about water leaking into your flue from the chimney cap or debris falling into it. Your chimney will be closed at the top, protecting the whole flue from top to bottom.
- Save energy with a top mount damper. The top mount damper closes with a tight seal so that drafts do not affect your home’s temperature. Not only does the damper prevent cold drafts from blowing in throughout winter, but it also prevents the loss of conditioned air in the summer. In fact, homeowners that chose to install a top mount damper save 8 percent on annual utility costs and up to 30 percent on heating costs!
- Easy to install, replace, maintain, and use. Instead of installing a throat damper inside your masonry, you can choose to have a Hudson Chimney expert install a top mount damper on the top of your chimney. The installation will be completed in one appointment, and you’ll be ready to use your new damper. The damper is engaged and disengaged by way of a cord that reaches from the damper to the hearth opening. Using your new damper is as easy as pulling the cord. Just don’t close the damper when a fire is burning, because the seal will prevent proper ventilation.
Contact Us Today
Not convinced the top mount damper is the way to go? You can talk with a Hudson Chimney expert at your convenience when you call 904-282-4159. Ask about top mount damper installation and other ways we can help you stay safe and save money this year.
by Mark Hudson | Feb 11, 2017 | Chimney Damper
Your chimney is a complex system of many parts. These parts are constantly working to remove harmful gases and byproducts from your home. If any of these parts become damaged, it can bring down the chimney’s efficiency drastically, affecting the way it vents, and allowing smoke and carbon monoxide into the house. One important part of this system is the damper. Not only does it help to control the flame and assist in starting a fire, but it also keeps the heat from escaping up the chimney. When the damper is in the closed position, it can keep smoke from rising up the chimney as well as the heat, then the smoke goes into the home. This can affect the air quality in your home.
Common Damper Problems
- Improper Seal
Traditional throat dampers can cause issues because they don’t close with a tight seal. They can cost a lot of money in the long run year-round by allowing heat to escape in the winter and allowing warm drafts in the summer. These dampers can also be a pain to repair or replace. A good alternative is to install a top-sealing damper.
- Rusted in Place
If a chimney has a leak that has gone unnoticed, the damper can quickly become rusted and become stuck in the place. It becomes an instant fire hazard whether the damper is stuck open or closed.
- Partial Close
If the chimney’s throat and the damper become covered in soot, creosote, or other debris, the damper can stop closing properly. This can cause substantial heat loss up the chimney.
- Drafts Present in Chimney
If your fire will only light or burn well during periods of high winds, then it’s possible your damper is not functioning properly. A top-sealing damper is a good option if you live in areas where there are high winds.
The Top-Sealing Damper
Hudson Chimney sells two of the most popular top-sealing dampers, the Energy Top and the Energy Top Plus from U.S. Fireplace Products. These dampers not only serve as a damper, but also as a chimney cap, preventing water penetration and downdrafts. They also prevent animals and debris from falling into the chimney through all seasons.
These dampers must stay open while the fire is in use because the tight seal will not allow exhaust to escape the chimney. During the off season the top-sealing damper closes tightly, to keep conditioned air from escaping, saving money throughout the year. They are easy to open and close, with an easily accessible handle.
Finally, a top-sealing damper is simple to install, and requires minimal maintenance. It can be assessed during your annual chimney inspection, but should last the life of your chimney.
Troubleshoot other reasons your chimney may not be working. If problems persist, you should contact a chimney expert at Hudson Chimney today. Call 904-282-4159 or contact us online.
by Mark Hudson | Feb 25, 2016 | Chimney Cap, Chimney Damper
One of the most important components of a chimney, the damper lets the byproducts of combustion escape from the fireplace into the chimney and seals out the outside air when the fireplace is not in use. Unfortunately, the traditional throat dampers found in most masonry chimneys are not very efficient as they do not form a complete seal when closed. An old damper can cost you a lot of money on both heating and cooling bills because the air from inside your home can leak through to the chimney. If your damper is old, you may want to replace it with a new top-sealing damper. At Hudson Chimney, we are proud to sell two of the most popular top-sealing dampers, the Energy Top and the Energy Top Plus from U.S. Fireplace Products. We would like to tell you a bit about these top-sealing dampers.
Courtesy of Jerry Isenhour
Top-sealing dampers serve more than one purpose.
One of Hudson Chimney’s favorite benefits of this type of damper is that it can also be a chimney cap. When the Energy Top damper is closed, it does the same job of a chimney cap. For even better protection, the Energy Top Plus damper is equipped with a stainless steel chimney cap that allows it to serve as a cap even when the damper is open. The cap has wire mesh sides that will keep out birds and animals out of your chimney at all times. This is important because this kind of damper stays open when in the default mode for maximum safety. If the damper were closed when you lit a fire, your home would be filled with smoke and carbon monoxide.
Top-sealing dampers are easy to use and economical.
Both the Energy Top and the Energy Top Plus dampers have an easily accessible handle that makes it simple to open and close the damper. This handle is mounted inside the fireplace. We also like that the price for these dampers is very economical can can fit just about any budget
Top-sealing dampers provide a better seal.
These dampers use a silicone rubber gasket that tightly seals off your fireplace from the chimney opening. Studies have found that heat loss from the chimney is responsible for eight percent of your heating costs. With an Energy Top or an Energy Top Plus damper, you will see at least an eight percent savings in your heating costs. You will also save when you are cooling your home as these dampers will prevent cooled air from escaping from the chimney.
If you have a traditional throat damper that has been used for years, it is time for a new damper. Contact us at Hudson Chimney to learn more about our amazing top-sealing dampers sales and installation services.
