Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This does work very well, perhaps only in the right chimneys, perhaps only when installed correctly. I have had this for four months and will adjust my review, later, if a problem develops (such as a puncture).
It stops so much cold air that I need to put my hand directly under it just to feel a difference in ambient temperature. This also means that it stops the fireplace odors that were entering the room. I've even tried it with the flue open and it still keeps the cold out.
It does not self-install: you have to take the time and be careful. I can now do it in about three minutes. Some words on installation:
- After you THINK you have installed it correctly, feel around all of the edges for leaks. When you feel a leak, simply push - or pull - that section of the balloon into the right spot to fully stop the leak.
- The balloon does give the impression of deflating, but this is a misnomer. In cold temperatures a balloon will shrink, not deflate, due to the air cooling in the balloon. This happened once, so far, to the point where cold air began infiltrating. All you need do is to inflate it a little, while the balloon is still in place (the long inflation tube makes it easy) and then check around the edges again as above.
Our room has been truly comfortable for the first winter in 15 years due to this. My only concern is it's ruggedness. If it does not puncture, it will pay for itself in about 2 years. I have been somewhat intentionally rough with it to test this and, so far, am impressed that it hasn't punctured.
UPDATE January 2010:
Have now been putting this in and out weekly for the second winter. Performs as well as new. Seems to be quite resistant to puncturing (and it's been pushed to the limit). If it were to puncture at this point, I would buy another one.
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