Chimneys

Dis-used chimneys can result in the building feeling damp and cold. Due to lack of use, they can also fall into disrepair. This will result in your building being less energy efficiency. Therefore, even if you do not use any fireplaces in the building, if you have chimneys, it is essentially that they are repaired and maintained.

Once basic repairs and maintenance have been carried out to your chimney(s), you can look at implementing the following measures if your fireplace and chimney are dis-used to help improve the energy efficiency and heat loss from the building by:

• Installing a register plate.

• Capping the chimney with a cowl.

• Installing a chimney balloon.

If your fireplace is still in use, you can look at installing a damper.

Further guidance

Historic England have produced a useful guide on Open Fires, Chimneys and Flues detailing the different ways to maintain and improved fireplaces and chimneys.

Bath & North East Somerset have produced some useful guidance on register plates and chimney balloons.

Chimneys - pdf - 94 Kb