As chimneys are designed to draw air up and out of a building, lots of heat can be lost in this way. Blocking it with a draught excluder can be a good quick fix to keep you warm and stop you wasting money on extra heating.
Until fairly recently, the chimney balloon was the only option. Now, however, there is competition from the Chimney Sheep. Made in Cumbria, they are a high quality, eco-friendly alternative.
Plastic chimney balloons work on some level, but they have several flaws. They can be fiddly and messy to install. They are also prone to puncturing. We have also heard from people who claim chimney balloons have led to damp. Chimneys are there for ventilation so it figures that if they are blocked, your house doesn’t breathe like it should. This can lead to condensation and mildew – not nice.
The Chimney Sheep is made from 100% wool, apart from the recycled plastic handle. The handle means there is less mess as you don’t have to wave your arms around up the chimney! It’s washable and inexpensive. It also won’t deflate over time, should last for years and the removable head is biodegradable. It also muffles wind noise and stops stops wildlife and debris falling down your chimney. Perfect!
For all these reasons, we think the Chimney Sheep is a better option. You can buy them by clicking on the link.
Think we missed something? Do you have a different opinion?
Comment below to get your voice heard…
We installed a chimney sheep. Fantastic little thing. easy to install and stopped the cold draughts!
We also have a sheep, very quick and easy to install and remove, works a treat, and looks the same now as it did when new a year ago. Would recommend one to anyone, in fact my parents and grandparents now both have them!
Hi Peter, that is the feedback we are getting too to be honest. The fact that the chimney sheep doesn’t deflate and therefore is the more permanent solution makes it popular for many!
Hi I have a cannon gas fire install in my fireplace which we no longer used but just kept as feature, we find it gets drafty during windy conditions. What type of insulation would you recommend to seal the extract gap?
The review is absolute (loaded) nonsense to be honest – if it’s doing its job, the sheep will block the air to the same extent as the balloon. Therefore, the scare tactic of mentioning damp is nonsense. The balloons also stop things falling down the chimney. The only real difference is the sheep won’t deflate and it may muffle noise a little more, but it’s just as much of an installation faff – but if you find shoving a thing up your chimney tricky, life must have been a struggle so far in general.
Brilliant !
Very funny comment just brilliant ! 🤣
Sounds like someone has anger issues
Putting anything made of wool up the chimney is a very bad idea. Clothes moths will come down the chimney, breed, get into your house, and cause havoc. I’m still fighting the moth that got into my house after birds fell down the chimneys, died, and were then devoured by the moth. I couldn’t work out where they were coming from until the horrific remains fell into the grate. The chimney has now been capped so no more birds will fall in but the problem of the moth in the house remains – they can even breed in the dust that has fallen in through gaps in the floorboards. Wool as an insulating material in building si s terrible idea.
I have a big inglennok fireplace in myold cottage dining. Its big enough for a small man to climb but has a shelf either side where possibly a Chimney Shero could sit, How big is your biggest,
I’d like to buy a chimney sheep, but not in Amazon. Not until they pay their UK taxes without any tricks.
Here hear !