Two Ways to Get Rid of Chimney Odors
Chimney odors are hard to miss and hard to get rid of to. A candle or spray isn’t going to cut it. You have to go straight to the problem. Learn what you can do to get rid of chimney odors in your home.
There is nothing quite like the musty, moldy smell that can come from a nasty fireplace. If it has ever happened to you or is happening now, you know what we mean. Fireplace smells come from creosote deposits in your chimney, which is a natural byproduct of burning wood.
The Real Problem: Negative Pressure
The real problem is air coming down the chimney, which is a symptom of overall pressure problems. As air moves down through your chimney, it brings the inner fireplace smells & chimney odors along with it. It is likely that your chimney is just the victim of a negative pressure problem.
Basement fireplaces are the biggest culprit because the lowest level of your home has the highest levels of negative pressure. The basic concept is that the more air-tight your home, the less air exchange (or make-up air) can enter your home. Older, draftier homes do not experience these problems as much because air is entering from many other places. Once these areas are sealed, the path of least resistance is the chimney and its metal-on-metal damper, which may or may not be closed all the way.
Two Ways To Fix The Problem
To fix the problem (negative pressure) or manage the symptom (smelly air from fireplace) you have two options. To completely solve the problem of negative pressure in the home, you have to equalize it by bringing outside air into the home through your HVAC system. Contact your heating and air conditioning contractor and they can install a HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) system to achieve this goal for around $3,500.00. If you want to manage the symptom by stopping the air from entering the chimney from the top, an Energy Top Plus top-sealing damper can be installed for around $589.00 on average.
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