A drafty fireplace was driving this Warrenton, VA homeowner crazy. They tried everything from pillows in front of the fireplace, to plastic shrink wrap, to cardboard taped to it. All the while, they couldn't use the fireplace with any of those solutions.
Solution
Comfenergy fixes drafty gas fireplaces very often. Any time the thermal barrier (insulation) and the air barrier (drywall) are separated, you'll have a comfort and energy issue. The following pictures show how we fixed the fireplace for this homeowner so they could use it and not have to feel the drafts.
Project Summary
Evaluator: Scott Beers
Direct vent gas fireplaces are always drafty in the winter. Comfenergy encounters and fixes this issue often!
First, we removed the vinyl siding to access the wall sheathing.
A hole is opened up in the sheathing to access the rear of the fire box. Look at the air gaps all around this thing! Brrr!!
Thermax (polyisocyanurate), fire resistant foam boards, high temperature caulk, and one part spray foam are used to build an air tight box around the fire box.
A view from above the fire box once it has been sealed up with Thermax.
The floor joists under the fire box are filled with fire resistant TruSoft cellulose insulation to stop drafts from below.
Sealing up on the way back out!
Sheathing has been put back in place with thermal tape to seal any cracks for air to sneak through.
