Insulation Services Case Studies: Drafty Fireplace

Challenge

The comfort issue encountered by this customer included a draftyWood Burning Fireplace.  Comfenergy attempted to install our C1-4 Wood Framed Fireplace Bump Out silution to solve this issue.

This project presented three issues: 

First, we generally do not attempt to address issues with Wood Burning fireplaces as there may be clearence issues between combustible materials used to install the solution and the firebox.

Secondly, we have had issues with the way that the chimneys function on Wood Burinig Fireplaces versus Gas Burning Fireplaces.  The issue leads to a continuation of draft after the solution has been installed.

For these reasons, we no longer offer this solution to customers who have Wood Burning Fireplaces.

The Third issue is that we cannot provide this solution with all siding types.  We need to be able to remove and re-attach the siding in order to install the solution.  In this project we did an assessment and pre-communicated the risks to the customer, but determined that we could perform the required carpentry to install our solution.

Solution

We removed specialty plywood siding.  We air sealed the firebox with Polyisocyanurate foam board, We closed off one exterior vent from the bump out, Re-attached the siding and installed Flashing to address a cut we made in the siding to gain access to the bump out space.

This solution was not effective at solving this customers problem and we have discontinued providing it as an option to people with wood burining fireplaces.

Project Summary

consultant: Shayne Sandner