Expert: James Ball - 12/29/2009

Question
Hey James,

I have 2 fireplaces in 2 different rooms, one is a gas log that I want to convert to wood burning and the other is a wood burning that I want to install a wood burning insert.

I had a chimney sweep to look at both, and he said that in each case the surface area of the fireplace opening (in the house) needs to be = or less than the surface area of the chimney exit. Makes sense, but is this true?

Again in each case he wanted to charge $2,000 for each chimney to install a stainless steel liner which would solve the surface area ratio issue. Does this sound right and is $2,000 a fair charge?

Last question: How difficult is it to install for a novice and are there directions somewhere on how to do it?

Thanks and happy new year.

Answer
Hello Joel, this does not sound right, I believe NFPA states a flue must be 1-10th the area of the fireplace opening on an Out side chimney and 1-12th of an inside chimney (for an out side chimney with a fireplace opening of 2' x 3' = 684 cross sectional inches would require 68 cross sectional inches or an 10" round or a 7' x 11' flue)
so I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James