Do I Need To Insulate My Chimney Liner?
The quick answer is no you don’t have to, but it’s an excellent choice. In some instances, it may be a safety coding issue. But even if it isn’t, it’s highly recommended to insulate your chimney liner. There are a couple main benefits to insulating your chimney that we’ll review throughout this article.
By the end, you may be ready to call our chimney professionals at Hudson Valley Chimney to schedule a visit!
Why should I insulate my chimney liner?
It’s possible that you may need to insulate your liner to have an efficient fireplace. This is likely the case if you’re experiencing chimney draw issues. When temperatures are cooler in the flue, the smoke struggles to rise efficiently. It’s potentially a safety concern as well. So, if this happens to be the case for you, we highly recommend acting quickly. If you neglect this, your chimney could be accumulating creosote quicker than normal and you may even experience expediated corrosion.
If you aren’t experiencing the abovementioned issue, there are some other instances where you may benefit from liner insulation.
Is your chimney diameter too large?
In some cases, people downsize their stove from a large open fireplace to a smaller efficient one. When doing so, many times the chimney diameter is larger than the flue liner. When this happens, temperatures can drop due to the open space. Insulation can help to keep the temperature regulated.
Is your chimney too tall?
When chimneys are very tall, it’s possible that there can be draft issues. Similar to the above issue, a tall chimney allows for temperatures to drop which impacts draw efficiency. Insulation can solve this problem if you have a tall chimney.
Is your chimney on an exposed wall?
If yes, your chimney is subject to outside temperatures dragging your flue temperature down. Since it’s on an exterior wall, there isn’t any benefit from the heat of your house on that side to keep the flue warm. Therefore, it can impact the draw and cause more buildup on the inside of your chimney.
Two Possible Insulation Solutions
If you find yourself answering “yes” to any of the above questions, you may be wondering what solutions are out there. The two chimney liner insulation solutions available are:
- A flue lined wrap or blanket, or
- Pouring Vermiculite (insulation filling product) into the chimney cavity.
Either of these are effective solutions. However, the Vermiculite is susceptible to trapping moisture, funneling rain into your flue. Because of that, many chimney professionals opt for the wrap solution.
Chimney Sweep Services in Hudson Valley, NY
If you still have any questions about chimney liner insulation, it may be time to contact us at Hudson Valley Chimney. From general chimney and fireplace maintenance to any repair needs, our experts can work though anything. Call Hudson Valley Chimney at (845) 471-1071 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with a Certified Chimney Sweep®.
