A chimney liner is a critical part of every chimney if you want to ensure that your chimney not only has a longer life span, but also that you’re getting the best benefits from it (and none of the health dangers).
In gas, oil, or solid fuel burning fireplaces, your chimney liner helps guide the combustion by-products away from the chimney itself.
Chimney liners cover the inside of the flue, which is the area inside your chimney that directs smoke and gases from your fireplace or fuel burning appliance, and vents them safely outside your home. Chimney liners come in many different materials, including clay tile, stainless steel, cement, and aluminium. Each different material serves its purpose; however, some materials will differ from others depending on its use. And it depends on the type of chimney you have, and the effects you expect as to which liner you should be installing.
Whatever type you choose, these are some simple benefits of installing a chimney liner.
Safety
A chimney liner will make your home safer for only a small outlay. If you have an unlined chimney that is aging, cracked tiles or missing filling can allow harmful gases and smoke into your living areas, attic or ceiling, causing harm to you and your family. Chimney liners help to eliminate leaks.
A quality chimney liner will also protect your chimney from destructive fire by-products. The liner is a sealed unit from bottom to top to ensure smoke, creosote, carbon dioxide from burning fuels are forced outside without contacting the actual chimney structure.
Protection
You can insulate a chimney liner to prevent excess creosote condensation within your chimney. Liners can be both covered with insulation before you insert it into the flue, or by filling any dead space between the liner and flue after installation. An insulated flue will also prevent excessive cold air coming back down the chimney when you are not burning a fire.
A chimney fitted with liners, is easier to clean and less expensive to maintain than an unlined flue.
Some fuel burning appliances need stainless steel liners to be able to properly vent hot gases that don’t condense before reaching the top of the flue. Stainless steel liners are better for lining chimneys used with corrosive condensation caused from efficient appliances.
Other Great Reasons
A chimney liner will improve your home’s energy efficiency. Insulated liners not only reduce cold downdrafts but also improve chimney draft because hotter gases draw better than colder gases. Good draft delivers better fuel efficiency through better combustion.
And finally, chimney liners are simple to install. Replacing clay liners inside your chimney is not necessary if you install liners inside the flue.
Your best bet is to have a professional company do the installation for you so that you know you’re getting quality service at a great price. That way you chimney lining is bound to last a lot longer, through the peak winter period where keeping warm is essential; to the summers where your chimney is more likely to remain stagnant.