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Expert: - 8/4/2006


Question
Hi!  I am building a 2-story house with a chimney chase on the back side of the house.  The chimney chase is standard 2x4 construction with OSB & Tyvek covering the 2x4's on the exterior.  The chase is currently open to the 1st and 2nd floor living areas (the drywall is not in place so you can walk/squeak through the stud walls comprising each room into the chase area).  I understand that the chimney will perform better if I insulate the outer walls of the chase (I plan on putting some roll insulation between the exterior studs and drywall on top of that).  

My question is about the area between the second floor (living area) interior wall and the chase.  Obviously I am going to put drywall on the 2x4s making up the 2nd floor living area, but do I insulate this wall from the chase?  I am concerned that since the air conditioning will not be circulating through the chase, that if I don't insulate this wall between the chase and the second story that I will have a noticeable heat load coming from the section of drywall that separates the chase from the living area.  My guess is that in my area of the country (deep south) that the chase, even though insulated, will "cook" during the summer and I want to minimize my heat loss during this time of year (and minimize my electric bill!)  What's your opinion?  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Russ,

If it was my home, I would insulate the chase and insulate the wall between the chase and the living area.  

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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