Converting wood burning chimney into non-vented use
amyersny
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I’m working on a 1960 brick ranch home that has an original wood burning fireplace. I have decided that since the steel insert flue has rusted and been removed from directly above the firebox, perhaps to keep the birds out and the heat/AC from escaping, I should just close the chimney and add a galvanized cap to cover the 2’X5′ chimney top.
I purchased new gas logs that do not need to be vented and they have been installed to a new gas line run by a plumber. To keep the heat from escaping from the constantly open chimney, should I add a special heat/fire resistant insulation inside the top of the chimney and permanently cap? I welcome your comments/suggestions.
Replies
gas logs that do not need venting?
Explain please.
Is the chimney internal or external? If internal I'd probably stuff some fiberglass in from the top -- tightly pack it for 18" or so, then cover with a metal cap. For an external chimney, probably something similar, only stuff the insulation up from the bottom.
If this is a vent free fireplace, your lungs are now the chimney, and the current installation is wrong.
If this a gas log set, you NEED a chimney.