Homeowners with gas or electric inserts most likely do not need a new liner because those types of fuel don't produce enough heat to damage a masonry chimney.

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Just so, do I need a chimney liner for fireplace insert?

But to work properly, an insert needs a proper chimney liner. A fireplace insert is like a wood stove that has been modified by its manufacturer to fit within the firebox of a masonry fireplace. This short length was called a 'direct connect', but there was not really a connection to the base of the fireplace chimney.

does a fireplace insert have a damper? To my knowledge, inserts in general do not require a damper. Usually when one is installed in an existing fireplace, the existing damper is removed. A stainless steel liner is then installed from the insert all the way to the top of the chimney.

Beside above, can I install a fireplace insert without a liner?

These installations are no longer considered safe and in many areas it is no longer permissible to install inserts in this way. When an insert has no liner, or a partial liner, it cannot be cleaned in the normal way (by putting a brush into the chimney through the insert).

How much does it cost to install a chimney liner?

For the average homeowner, having a chimney liner installed costs about $2,500. For more expensive materials, prices tend to average at $5,000 and could climb to $7,000. With an easy-to-install material like aluminum, the DIY cost of materials and equipment could be as low as $625.

Related Question Answers

Are fireplace inserts worth it?

Fireplace inserts are a more efficient heat source than traditional fireplaces. The increased efficiency is due to the design of a fireplace insert creating a closed combustion system. This system results in a less heat efficient system, as most escapes through the chimney.

How long do fireplace inserts last?

How long do chimney liners last? The answer to this question depends on the type of chimney liner you have. Clay tile liners and cast-in-place liners typically last around 50 years. Stainless steel flue liners generally last for 15 to 20 years (though low quality liners may not even last for five).

How do I know if my chimney needs a liner?

How can I tell if my chimney has a liner? You can have it inspected by a chimney professional; or, if you're able, you can go up on the roof and check it out yourself. If you look down into your chimney and see only bricks and no clay tile, it is not lined.

Do fireplaces make the house colder?

the temperature in the room with the fireplace will increase. there is a possibility for a convection current, but that would tend to increase the warm air in other rooms. the only way the rest of the house gets colder or changes temperature is if the heat turns off.

How do I know if my chimney needs a new liner?

Unfortunately, there are usually no obvious signs of chimney liner damage. In some cases, you may notice broken masonry in your fireplace. The debris could be bits of deteriorating flue liner that have dropped into the firebox.

Does a brick chimney need a liner?

Chimneys should be lined. The National Fire Code states that a liner can be built of brick, clay or steel. Most homes built in the past 50 years have a clay liner for a wood-burning appliance. Well, the fire code requires that a chimney be repaired or replaced if it constitutes a fire hazard.

Does fireplace insert have to be removed to clean chimney?

Fireplace inserts are heavy, often weighing more than 400 pounds. Since wood burning inserts need to be removed when the chimney is being cleaned and maintained, they can be awkward and heavy to handle. In some cases, however, you do not have to remove the insert to clean the chimney.

Can I put an insert in my fireplace?

Professionals can install a fireplace insert into your existing fireplace with a masonry chimney. This not only enhances the beauty and performance of your fireplace but also allowing you to enjoy the warmth of a clean, safe fireplace from within your home.

How do you measure for a fireplace insert?

To determine the right size, measure the following: opening height; opening width; opening depth (top and bottom); rear width and the depth of the hearth (area in front of fireplace). LOCATION: A fireplace insert needs to be placed in an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace with a working chimney.

How do I choose a fireplace insert?

Step one in choosing the right fireplace insert is getting the right size. Modern inserts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and with a little investigating, you'll find the perfect one for your fireplace. When measuring the opening of your fireplace, measure from side to side and from top to bottom.

Can you use a fireplace insert as a freestanding stove?

Recall that fireplace inserts are installed into fireplaces, not freestanding stoves. However, you can vent a freestanding stove through a fireplace. This usually means that a rear-vented stove sits in front of the fireplace (on the hearth.) This is a perfectly good way to install a stove.

What is the difference between a fireplace and a fireplace insert?

The primary difference is that a fireplace insert is an appliance that can be installed into an existing wood burning fireplace to make it more efficient. A built in fireplace is new installation into a home where you do not already have a fireplace.

Is a flue liner necessary?

A chimney liner is obligatory if you are installing a woodburning stove, gas fire or open fire in a new build property to comply with Document J of current Building Regulations. A chimney liner may be necessary in an older property if the flue inside your chimney is no longer safe to use.

When should I close the damper on my fireplace?

Close Fireplace Damper When Fire Is Completely Out. If necessary to keep the fire burning well and smoke-free, you may adjust the damper into a semi-open position. Shut the damper when the fire is completely, absolutely out. That means ashes are cool to the touch even when stirred.

Can I use my fireplace without a damper?

There is usually a damper built right into the insert. Occasionally there is a throat butterfly damper as well but that is mostly with free standing stoves not inserts. So lets assume when you remove your insert you will have no damper. The Good News: You can put a Chimney Balloon in the flue without a damper.

Is a damper and flue the same thing?

The flue is simply the open middle of the chimney that the smoke goes up. Dampers are sometimes miss-called flues or flutes, but they are something entirely different than the flue. A damper is intended to shut off- either fully or partially- the chimney flue.

Should fireplace damper be open all the way?

The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Close it when it's not it use. The damper should be kept open until all embers are finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the home. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed.

How do I know if my damper is open?

Perform a visual check. Using a flashlight, poke your head inside the fireplace to look up into the chimney. If you have a throat damper, you can tell if it is closed if you see a barrier above your head. If you can see up into the flue, the damper is open.

Where should I install a flue damper?

Normally you want a flue damper in a vertical section, 18-24 inches above the top of the firebox. I put mine a full 24 inches above; over the years I've learned the hard way that putting it too close to the firebox causes the control rod to overheat and bend, and the spring gets weak so the damper won't stay set.