Venting Chimneys - especially ones located on external walls

[buyingabroad]

Hi,

We have three chimneys on external walls and one in the centre of the house. 4 in total. Two of the externals are open and the rest closed. Would appreciate your help on the following:

- Is is possible to ventilate the chimney with a ventilated cap/cowel at the top and using an airbrick on the outside of the house? My desire is to prevent heatloss from the inside

- We want to keep the living room chimney (again on external wall) for occasional use (once a month). I was thinking of something like a chimney balloon but am concerned that this stops ventilation. What else could I do?

- Does the internal chimney (closed) need to have an airvent also?

- The house has a Mech Extract Ventilation system installed - will it pull air from the chimney (I presume this is not good)? and if it does is there any thing I can do?

Thanks for your help.

B.

 

[buyingabroad]

:mad: Noticed today that each of the chimneys has two flues....adds more confusion.........which means I guess that there must have been fireplaces in the bedrooms. I have no idea which flue runs to the ground and which one runs to the upstairs room......

 

[Shane007]

There is a company in Kerry, name forgets me, that makes a cowl for chimneys, and has a chain that drops down the flue. When fire not in use, pull chain, cowl closes which seals chimney, when fire lit, pull chain and it opens. If you forget, you will soon be reminded with smoke filled room!
I think they can be bought from Chadwicks.