The fireplace flue can be a major source of energy loss.
Plug unused chimney.
In short yes there are many factors to why you should cap off a unused chimney but it has to be done properly and just not blocked off at the top of the stack.
Cutting energy expenses is easy when you add weather stripping to your fireplace damper with the battic door energy conservation products 18 in.
However if you want to permanently close up your chimney cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method.
Fireplace chimney draftstopper plug round fits most metal zero clearance fireplaces.
Should unused chimneys be capped if your no longer going to use them for a real fire again.
The insul plug is constructed of a ceramic based fireproof insulating material.
The insul plug blocks old unused thimble holes in masonry chimneys.
The black outside plate covers up to a 10 diameter hole.
Sealing your older unused chimney should not be a complicated task as long as attention is paid to prevention of air intrusion as well as environmental and pest control.
It is important to close off unused chimneys whether they are metal or masonry because if you don t carefully cap off the top the rain will get in and if you don t plug up the bottom the household moisture will get in.
The balloon is inserted into your chimney and then you blow it up until it fits snugly in the space thereby blocking the air flow.
In either case unknown to you the metal chimney will slowly rust and the masonry chimney will slowly decay.
When it s time to use the chimney again all you have to do is deflate the plug and pull it out.
How to close an unused chimney.
You can also seal the edges with foam weatherstripping tape too.
What most people seem to do in this situation is install a chimney plug or balloon.