Will having an unlit open fire make a house drafty?

storm27

I am hoping to put an offer in on a house which has an openfireplace. I have been told by the agent that it is in working condition, butthe current occupiers don't have it setup as a fire; they have a vase withfairy lights in the fireplace instead.

I probably wouldn't want to use the fireplace either – thelayout of the house means that we would be using several different livingareas, so having a fire in just one wouldn’t be particularly efficient. Thecentral heating is gas powered and we would have to run that anyway to heat therest of the house.

But my question is whether having a chimney without having afire below it would lead to drafts and make the room cold? (I don't like theidea of paying to send heat straight out of the house.) If there is a draftproblem, how easy is it to block off an open fireplace in a way that would keepthe heat in?

Techno

We have a 'real' gas fire which we hardly ever use - I stick an old pillow up the chimney which stops the drafts - just remember to remove it if you do light the fire I think you can also buy something which you put in the chimney then inflate - does the same job.

Gloomendoom

Usually very easy. You can get a chimney balloon or just fill a bin bag with loft insulation and stuff it up the flue.

Bigjenny

Can highly recommend one of these http://chimneysheep.co.uk/shop.

The one I bought was too big so I returned it and they made me a smaller one. Excellent service.

HTH

yangptangkipperbang

Surprisingly, actually lighting a fire in an open fireplace often causes more draughts than just having the fireplace/chimney open.
The fire needs more air for the combustion process and therefore will pull more air (draughts) into the room.
Your best bet is to try it and see - an open chimney does provide ventilation and will help keep down/eliminate damp problems.

zaax

Get it swept and use it - there is nothing like a real fire

storm27

Thanks everyone! I'd never have dreamt it was as easy as putting something up it.

And interesting to know that lighting it might create more drafts than not.

Stooby2

Thanks everyone! I'd never have dreamt it was as easy as putting something up it.

you might want to get the chimney swept first or you could pull a load of soot down with whatever you put up it.

Techno

Oh and I recommend putting a cage/cowl over the top of the chimney stack to stop birds coming down it like this one (not a referral first one I came to) http://www.pigeoncontrolresourcecentre.org/html/reviews/chimney-cowls-stop-pigeons.html

Leif

You could always place a decorative screen in front to reduce the draught, but do not seal it unless you also seal the top, otherwise you will have damp. Some air flow can be beneficial.

Regarding the balloon, does it not cause damp to collect, and soak into the brickwork? I would have thought you'd want to cap the chimney, but I'm probably wrong

Carcluster

zaax wrote: »

Get it swept and use it - there is nothing like a real fire

Absolutely! Built a fire last night in late march. Climate change is going to only strengthen the case. Apart from the fossil fuel irony. This thread has reminded me to close the damper though when not in use