Many homes have built-in fireplaces, as beautiful as they look; they’re not very efficient; a lot of the heat goes straight up the chimney. Knowing this, many homeowners are deciding to improve the efficiency of the firepFireplacesFireplaceslace and improve the appearance at the same time by installing an insert. This type of fireplace installation in Chicago is best done by professionals, most inserts are somewhat smaller than the existing firebox, and a number of modifications must be made. The fit is critical for your safety and to get optimum performance from your new insert.
The potential problems that may be encountered:
There are a number of problems, but the main one has to do with flue dimensions. A typical built in; conventional fireplace uses a flue of approximately 121 square inches whereas a modern fireplace insert typically utilizes a six-inch diameter flue which equates to only 28 square inches. It is this gross differential in flue dimensions that lead to problems that only those who are intimately involved in fireplace installation in Chicago can comfortably deal with.
Temperature difference: When the flue is considerably larger than the insert the interior walls of the chimney remain quite cool. When the chimney walls are cool, the extremely hot smoke and gasses condense; the result is the rapid buildup of creosote. As everyone with a fireplace knows, creosote is combustible, hence quite hazardous. The solution is to ensure that a stainless steel liner of the appropriate size is installed at the same time as the fireplace insert.
Time smoke is in the flue: Smoke must remain in the flue for the shortest possible time; the only solution is to ensure that at the time of installation, the proper flue insert is installed.
If you wish to update your current fireplace to a more efficient and pleasant looking insert; have it correctly installed by professionals.
For fireplace installation in Chicago, you are invited to contact Northwest Metalcraft. The experts at Northwest Metalcraft have the skills and tools to do the job right.
