![[Trane branding]](/img/header2.jpg)
Why Get Your Chimney Cleaned?
Additional Information
A dirty chimney/flue creates a fire hazard and reduces heating efficiency. Regular cleaning of your chimney/flue with the proper brush will help prevent chimney fires and heat loss due to inefficiency. You should clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote from the lining of the flue. Creosote is a highly flammable residue that builds up over time from combustion in your chimney. Chimneys should be cleaned when any noticeable creosote buildup occurs. The Chimney Safety Institute of America claims that as little as ¼” of buildup is enough to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home.
PREVENT FIRES: CLEAN YOUR CHIMNEY REGULARLY!
The following statistics are excerpted from the 2004-2006 Residential Fire Loss Estimates released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), October 2009. These are the latest statistics available as of 10/19/09. (The full report is available from the USCPSC here: http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/fire06.pdf)
Estimated Residential Structure Fires
Equipment |
2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2004-2006 Average |
Total Residential |
386,100 | 375,100 | 390,900 | 384,100 |
Total Heating Equipment |
57,900 | 56,100 | 55,500 | 56,500 |
| Local Fixed Heater | 4,200 | 5,000 | 4,400 | 4,500 |
| Portable Heater | 1,900 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 1,600 |
| Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector | 25,200 | 24,500 | 26,400 | 25,400 |
| Central Heating | 2,000 | 1,200 | 1,000 | 14,000 |
| Water Heater | 2,800 | 2,600 | 2,500 | 2,600 |
| Air Conditioning | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,200 | 1,100 |
| Other | 20,700 | 20,300 | 18,700 | 19,900 |
Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Fire estimates are rounded to the nearest 100. Selected categories presented; subtotals do not necessarily add to heading totals. Estimates exclude losses from fires identifiable as intentionally set.
Estimated Residential Structure Fire Deaths
| Equipment | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2004-2006 Average |
| Total Residential | 2740 | 2850 | 2630 | 2280 | 2590 |
| Total Heating Equipment | 250 | 290 | 280 | 200 | 260 |
| Local Fixed Heater | 110 | 90 | 130 | 80 | 100 |
| Portable Heater | 40 | 130 | 30 | 50 | 70 |
| Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector | 50 | 20 | 20 | * | 10 |
| Central Heating | 10 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 20 |
| Water Heater | 20 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 20 |
| Air Conditioning | 10 | * | * | * | * |
| Other | 20 | 30 | 50 | 30 | 40 |
Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Death estimates are rounded to the nearest 10. Estimates less than 10 are denoted by an asterisk(*). Estimates exclude losses from fires identifiable as intentionally set.
Estimated Residential Structure Fire Property Loss (In Millions)
| Equipment | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2004-2006 Average |
| Total Residential | $5,311.5 | $5,308.3 | $6,215.6 | $6303.3 | $5942.4 |
| Total Heating Equipment | $543.3 | $490.8 | $558.3 | $586.5 | $545.2 |
| Local Fixed Heater | $93.8 | $75.0 | $131 | $147.6 | $117.9 |
| Portable Heater | $75.6 | $60.7 | $75.9 | $67.6 | $68.1 |
| Fireplace, Chimney, Chimney Connector | $142.9 | $120.2 | $115.2 | $126.6 | $120.7 |
| Central Heating | $54.9 | $50.2 | $29.9 | $26.5 | $35.5 |
| Water Heater | $59.8 | $53.9 | $65.4 | $77.8 | $65.7 |
| Air Conditioning | $22.7 | $37.5 | $28.8 | $27.0 | $31.1 |
| Other | $93.7 | $93.3 | $112 | $113.3 | $106.2 |
Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA, from data obtained from the US Fire Administration and NFPA. Note: Property loss estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a million dollars. Estimates exclude losses from fires identifiable as intentionally set.
CPSC Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Consumer Products ( 2003 & 2004 Annual Estimates)
The following statistics are excerpted from the Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Consumer Products 2003 & 2004 Annual Estimates, released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., July, 2007. (The full report is available from the USCPSC or on its website at www.cpsc.gov)
Consumer Product |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 | 2004 |
| Total Deaths | 109 |
137 |
122 |
181 |
154 | 162 |
| Heating Systems | 50 |
81 |
72 |
97 |
66 | 84 |
| Unspecified Gas Heating | 5 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
4 | 14 |
| LP Gas Heating | 22 |
28 |
24 |
41 |
22 | 25 |
| Natural Gas Heating | 20 |
42 |
28 |
32 |
27 | 30 |
| Coal/Wood Heating | 0 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
2 | 4 |
| Kerosene/Oil Heating | 2 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
6 | 4 |
| Diesel Fuel | * |
* |
* |
1 |
* | * |
| Heating Systems, Not Specified | 1 |
* |
3 |
9 |
5 | 7 |
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is dedicated to chimney and venting system safety and to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney service professionals and the insurance industry about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting systems hazards.