Expert: Michael Curry - 1/24/2010

Question
we would like to remove a brick firplace that is located on an outside wall.  It creates a huge draft in our home.  What work would be required on the roof? What do we need to consider before undertaking this job, my husband will be doing the work on the inside and the outside bricks do not need to be touched.  We are thinking of replacing it with an ethanol fire place instead.  This would be more energy efficient as there would be no heat loss.

Answer
Hi Rita,
I'm not sure what exactly you are asking, however, to remove the fireplace and close it up is not a big job. The chimney can simply be capped and some insulation stuffed up the chimney to prevent drafts. As for ethanol fireplaces, I am not familiar with them.