FAQs

If you cannot find the answer to your question here or under “Products and Systems”, you are welcome to contact your nearest dealer.

» FAQs about conditions during the installation of the chimney fan system.
» FAQs about conditions after the installation of the chimney fan system.

General information about chimney fans.

What is a chimney fan?
A chimney fan is a unit that helps maintain a smoke and odour-free indoor climate when you are using your wood-burning stove or fireplace. Chimney fans are fitted to your chimney and ensure optimal draft irrespective of weather conditions and location.

Optimal draft in your chimney makes firing and refiring easier, without smoke being drawn into the room. It also ensures optimal combustion and prevents ash and dust being blown into the room.

You can be sure that you can always light your stove or fire, and it is surely more fun to spend time with each other instead of battling with your fireplace.

The chimney fan itself is an electrically powered ventilator. Its operation can be regulated using a control unit.

What is the advantage of a chimney fan for my fireplace?
Fitting a chimney fan to your chimney actually provides you with several advantages: chimney fans not only ensure optimal draft in the chimney – resulting in a smoke-free environment – they also drastically reduce the amount of dust and soot on the walls. For example, you can switch on the chimney fan when you are cleaning your stove or fireplace to prevent ash and dust being deposited in your living room.

	Light the fire easily Guarantees easy and simple fire lighting, irrespective of location, weather conditions and the relationship between the chimney dimensions and the stove or fireplace.
	No smoke or smell With the correct draft in your chimney, you can be sure that your room will remain free from smoke when lighting or restocking the fire – and while the fire is burning. This means that neither your house nor your clothes will smell of smoke or “camp fire”.
	Safety - a secure failsafe system For gas fireplaces the chimney fan’s control system automatically shuts off the gas if there is insufficient updraft in the chimney. This draws dangerous gasses up the chimney, and away from the living room. The only gas directive approved system available.
	Good combustion, better heating economy Continuous optimal updraft and optimal oxygen feed means optimal burn regardless of weather conditions. With the right type of fuel, perfect combustion can mean that you save up to 15 per cent on fuel.
	Healthier indoor climate with less soot and dust When all the particles are drawn out of the house via the chimney, the result is a much healthier indoor climate. You can set your chimney fan to draw strongly when the stove door is opened. This will result in dust and particles being drawn up through the chimney instead of being emitted into your living room. At the same time, it cuts down on cleaning and keeps your walls free of soot.
	Extra ventilation As an added bonus, the chimney fan can be used as extra ventilation in hot weather when there is no fire or stove alight.

Can a chimney fan reduce my fuel consumption?
Savings on heat are not general; they will vary depending on your heat source and the type of fuel you use. However, several tests involving chimney fans indicate that you can count on saving up to 15 per cent on fuel consumption.

Can I install my chimney fan and associated control system myself?
If you buy a chimney fan with a wireless control unit (EW40), you may fit and install it yourself in some countries. However, if you want a “fixed installation”, you are legally required to have the work carried out by an authorised electrician.
If you buy a chimney fan with a wired control system (EFC16, EFC18), you are also legally required to have the installation work carried out by an authorised electrician.

Where can I buy a chimney fan?
Use this link to find your nearest dealer.

What is an isolation switch?
An isolation switch is used to cut off the power supply to the chimney fan. It is required by law and is to be used, for example, when a chimney sweep cleans your chimney.
Please note that when you buy a wireless control unit (EW40), the isolation switch (contact) is an integral part of the accompanying power unit.

How can a chimney sweep clean the chimney when there is a chimney fan on top?
The chimney sweep opens the chimney fan. The upper section is mounted on hinges, providing direct access to the chimney through the bottom section of the fan. This means that neither you nor the chimney sweep will have to remove the chimney fan completely.

Can the chimney fan fall off the chimney?
No – not if it was installed correctly. Chimney fans are fitted using angle brackets or a flange that fits into the chimney opening. The weight of the chimney fan itself, combined with the support of the angle brackets or the flange, will hold the fan in place on top of the chimney even in very windy weather. At the same time, a steel wire ensures that the fan cannot fall off when it is opened for maintenance or to allow a chimney sweep to clean your chimney.

Can I lower the chimney fan into the chimney opening?
No, not usually. If you would like a solution of this type, consult a specialist. You are, of course, welcome to contact EXHAUSTO CDT for additional information.

Does fitting a chimney fan guarantee that smoke will never flow into my living room again?
Yes! If your chimney fan is dimensioned correctly in relation to your heat source and chimney, we are sure that your living room will remain smoke free if you light your fire or stove while your chimney fan is running.

Can a chimney fan ventilate my living room even when the fire is not lit – for example, while I am entertaining guests?
Yes it can. It is the control system you have chosen that defines how this is done. Check the control system instructions to see what to do. Click here to access the list of instructions.

What is the difference between round and square chimney fans?
The round model operates with horizontal discharge of the smoke. This means that the smoke is dispersed sideways. If chimney fans of this type are installed close to the roof, soot deposits may build up on the roof in time.

The square chimney fan has vertical discharge of the smoke. The square chimney fans are recommended for use in windy areas, for buildings with thatched roofs and for when the chimney top is below the ridge of the roof.

How expensive is the chimney fan in use?
A chimney fan for a one-family house only uses the same amount of electricity as a 40W bulb.

Does my chimney need to be over certain height before a chimney fan can be installed?
No. In fact, a chimney fan can compensate for lack of chimney height as a chimney fan creates exactly the draught that a taller chimney would otherwise provide. However, the chimney must be high enough to ensure that the temperature is not above 250C at the chimney exit point where the chimney fan is installed.

Do I have to purchase a control unit for the chimney fan?
Yes, it is necessary to purchase a control unit for the chimney fan.