Chimney Sheep Natural Chimney Draught Excluders

Screwdriva

I'm a fan of products that pay for themselves several times over (I suspect we all are). After Radiator Reflectors and LED bulbs, it becomes a bit harder to find these for many types of homes. I'm a bit embarrassed we didn't think of this one sooner. 

A quick read highlights savings of 2-3X the cost per annum. More relevant to us, increases in comfort over the summer and winter months. That they're naturally made in the UK only adds to purchase. 

https://www.chimneysheep.co.uk/product-category/chimney-draught-excluders/

thevilla

We just bought a £3 towel from Dunelm and stuffed that in our gas fire flue.  Just need to remember to remove it when we use the fire which tends to be once every 5 years!

powerful_Rogue

Almost bought one the other day to stop the wind coming down the chimney. Went to measure up and notice i've got a large metal tube coming down the center of the chimney, so just filled that with paper.

Reed_Richards

I had visions of stuffing a real sheep up the chimney!

Heedtheadvice

Beware you don't get fleeced!

But seriously a good idea to stop extra draughts cooling down a property. Ensure however at the same time you have sufficient ventilation so maybe best ventilate during the warmest period of the day and close up before nightfall and !eave the right amount of trickle vents open if you have them.

Martyn1981

Just to say, we have two fireplaces that aren't in use, but are in situ. All I did was fill a carrier bag with loft insulation (don't pack it too tight, that reduces effectiveness) and shoved it up the chimney. I also put a short length of hosepipe alongside the bag in order to prevent any issues regarding humidity / overdrying of the flue.

I suppose technically there's a cost for the insulation, but we always have some spare, and it really is just a carrier bag full, (full after it has expanded and filled with air).

Exiled_Tyke

Does anyone have a view as to whether insulation as suggested here or a chimney balloon is better? 

tripled

We have an an old curtain shoved up each of our bedroom chimneys.

Screwdriva

Exiled_Tyke said:

Does anyone have a view as to whether insulation as suggested here or a chimney balloon is better? 

The attached study did state that the above insulation is only marginally inferior to sealing the chimney. And while there are clearly cheekier ways to block off a chimney, not all of them have a reminder dangling down to prevent setting them on fire

Alnat1

I'd seen the chimney sheep but thought they were a bit expensive. Was planning to shove an old pillow up our chimney and change the artificial coal for a dried flower arrangement so we remember not to light it. We've lived here 3 1/2 years and not used the fire yet though.

silverwhistle

I have a woodburner connected to one chimney but the bedroom one would need an easily removed solution in order to cope with stupid pigeons and juvenile magpies...

I might go for Martin's solution as I have a bit of loft insulation laying around, on the other hand I also have some rather manky spare pillows that need disposing of. Thanks to this thread for jogging my memory.