Stop Smoke Problems in Their Tracks With a Draft Fan
Do you love spending nights by the fire, de-stressing, and sharing memories with loved ones? Billowing smoke is a surefire way to ruin the mood and moment! If smoke problems are making your fireside experience unpleasant, consider investing in a draft fan.
For draft fans and other fireplace accessories, turn to Black Velvet Chimney. We have proudly served residents in the Dallas/Fort Worth region for more than four decades. We’ve got your chimney needs covered – whether that’s help choosing the right draft fan or an appointment for an annual chimney inspection or cleaning, you can count on our team for it all. Schedule an appointment online now!
What Is a Draft Fan?
A draft fan – which is also referred to as a fireplace fan or chimney fan – is a device that helps improve the draft and airflow within a fireplace or chimney system. Some draft fans are installed directly on top of the chimney, while others may be mounted inside the flue or near the fireplace opening.
Regardless of where the fan is, its primary job is to create a consistent stream of air that helps direct smoke and gases out of the fireplace and up through the chimney. Draft fans can be a good solution if you have a fireplace or chimney system that has poor draft due to issues that can’t be easily fixed like design flaws or environmental conditions.
Why Is My Fireplace So Smoky?
A smoky fireplace can be a sign of a bigger problem and a draft fan is a viable option if you’ve ruled out other problems. Common causes of smoky fireplaces include:
- The damper is closed. If your smoky fireplace is a new problem, check the damper. It’s possible that you forgot to open it or it’s partially closed. If the smoke persists after fully opening the damper, reach out to us to schedule a chimney inspection.
- There is a blockage in the chimney. Your chimney can be blocked by creosote buildup, animal nests, leaves, and other debris which can prevent smoke from escaping properly.
- The firewood contains too much moisture. Burning wet or unseasoned firewood can produce excessive smoke. You should only use seasoned firewood that has been left out to dry for at least six months.
- The chimney needs to be preheated. When you try to start a fire in a cold chimney, it causes condensation which produces smoke. Before you use your fireplace in the future, try preheating it by lighting a roll of newspaper or piece of cardboard and holding it towards the top of the fireplace for a few minutes.
- There is negative air pressure in the house. If there’s too much pressure inside your house and it’s tightly sealed, smoke might go back down the chimney instead of going out. This often occurs when you’re using other appliances like fans or air conditioners.
- There is a design flaw. A fireplace with a large opening and a small chimney will not have enough room to evacuate smoke properly. You can opt to rebuild the firebox or the chimney itself. A draft fan may be right for you if neither of those is a possibility.
What Are the Dangers of a Smoky Fireplace?
A smoky fireplace is more than an inconvenience. If the underlying cause isn’t identified and resolved, it can lead to a litany of issues for your family that may include:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning. Smoke from a fireplace can contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Other health issues. Smoke from burning wood contains small particles that can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. This can lead to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and even bronchitis. For people with existing conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart disease, exposure to fireplace smoke can worsen these conditions and trigger attacks.
- Chimney fire. When your chimney suddenly starts acting differently – producing too much smoke, new smells, more difficulty maintaining a fire – it is often a sign of a bigger problem. While there is no need to panic, you shouldn’t ignore it. Schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection with us as soon as possible.
We Have the Solution – Enervex Draft Fans
Your chimney inspection went off without a hitch. One of our chimney technicians has thoroughly examined your chimney and it’s good to go. But you still have a smoky fireplace – what now?
Here at Black Velvet Chimney, we install ENERVEX draft fans, which help the chimney achieve optimal airflow. Too much smoke is typically the result of poor draft and many factors can contribute to the problem. When you have an ENERVEX draft fan installed at the top of your chimney, draft problems and smoke problems are eliminated.
Don’t Let a Smoky Fireplace Ruin Your Day
Start enjoying better airflow and an all-around better fireside experience: have an ENERVEX draft fan installed atop your chimney today. Request more information to learn more.
We sell a variety of fireplace tools and accessories to make your fireside experience more convenient and enjoyable. Ask us for details.