Fireplace Chimney Draftstopper Plug Balloon (Large Pillow - Fits Any Masonry Fireplace with dampers up to 38x16")
by Battic Door Energy Conservation Products
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List Price: Our Price: $59.49 You Save: $10.50 (15%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Home See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Fireplace Chimney Draftstopper Plug Balloon (Large Pillow - Fits Any Masonry Fireplace with dampers up to 38x16")
Customer Review: Good theory and design for a slightly smaller fireplace than ours
Summary: 3 Stars
I wanted so much for this to work, since there is definite leakage of cold air through our fireplace. I liked this design because I wouldn't have to measure and work up above where I could see (as you do with other chimney plugs). It's also an easy installation.
However, the measurements of our damper area are just at the upper limit of this product and, unfortunately I'm having some problems with it. The slit to accommodate the damper handle is a good idea, making the t-brace unnecessary after installation. However it doesn't quite match up with the design of our fireplace. Consequently, I can't find the optimal combination of positioning and inflation to cover the corners of the damper area adequately because the handle prevents more movement.
I am still hopeful that I can get it to fit. I have noticed that there is some settling and shifting (because of changing temperatures of the air in the pillow?), and sometimes there seems to be no draft at all. Stuffing some bubble wrap above it in the corners might make the difference for me. It also may take some daily adjustment. I do not remove and reinstall it because I won't be building a fire in the fireplace (having installed an electric insert instead of dealing with wood and ashes).
I think that someone with a slightly smaller fireplace might be pretty pleased with this product.
Customer Review: Wow! 2 years and still going strong! I love it!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Well worth the money!! And it's a piece of cake to install, maybe 3 minutes or less. I have two fireplaces, and bought 2 of these, two years ago. You just blow into the long nozzle to inflate it. When you turn the nozzle's end to close it, a bit of air escapes, but that's good. It will squish into the corners better that way if it's not completely inflated. You lift it into your fireplace with both hands and just tuck it into place. Go all around it with your fingers, and tuck it in. If you feel any bit of draft coming through, all it needs is some patting and poking to close it off. If you feel it's not inflated enough, just use the long nozzle to add more air. The nozzle can be easily tucked up out of the way after you inflate it. There is also an attached black plastic rod that holds it up securely from the fireplace floor, and it adjusts for height. After a season, it may deflate slightly due to changes in the ambient temperature, so just add more air. Easy maintenance! It is made of tough plastic to withstand abrasion and punctures. You can't see it from the room, because it's black. If you want to build a fire, just grab it, and it pops right out. I had a terrible draft in my basement rec room, and it shut off the draft immediately! Now the heat stays in! (And so does the air conditioning!) Every fireplace should have one!Customer Review: Preliminary results: saving 20% off our oil bill
Summary: 5 Stars
About a year ago we had a blower-door test done on our house, and the chimney was identified as by far the major source of air leakage despite having a functional damper. So we tried this product, which is pretty easy to install/uninstall. In the 2009-10 heating season (i.e., prior to using this product), I had recorded the dates and amounts of all our oil deliveries as well as the mean monthly temperatures. Not surprisingly, there was a tight relationship between these (yes, I did the regression!). This season, based on our first two oil deliveries, we've been running 20% lower than last season's regression line--in other words, taking temperature differences into account, this item paid for itself in one month. This was true even though I had slightly increased our nightly temperatures from last year. I had hoped this product would help but am astonished at just how much a difference it is making.Customer Review: Great service and works too.
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered two directly from their website. One of them had a slow leak. I called them up and they sent out a replacement immediately at no cost. That alone deserves 5 stars!
As for the plugs, they work as advertised. Don't expect them to create an airtight seal because they don't and the product description doesn't claim to either. However, it does dramatically reduce drafts, just doesn't completely eliminate them. The installation is fairly simple. Results will very depending on how it's installed. For example, I find that it creates a better seal if I don't inflate it completely. I was able to get optimal performance after a few tries.
The alternative was to get top dampers. That'll probably give me a closer to airtight seal but for my area, it cost $500-$800 installed. I figured I had nothing to lose to give these a try and I'm very glad I did.
Customer Review: this is GREAT
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently moved into a 1930's apartment and the 3 story chimney is full of creosote and I was smelling chimney odors all the time, even though the damper was closed. I got the Fireplace Chimney Plug for odors and it works!! My daughter swept down the firebox as well as possible, and her friend installed the Fireplace Chimney Plug. We installed it below the closed damper and left the damper handle in place--the plug seems plenty large enough to seal the chimney fine even below the damper handle.
I am very pleased with this product--I didn't think I was going to be able to live here--the odors were causing me allergies and trouble breathing and now there are no noticeable fireplace smokey odors at all!
We have had some really windy days since it was installed, and it has stayed put! I highly recommend this product.