Having your chimney swept and cleaned: is that actually mandatory?
Is it mandatory to have your chimney cleaned and swept? The cold evenings are approaching again. There is nothing better than sitting by a warm fire. Such as a wood stove or a fireplace.
Before lighting the firewood, it is wise to have the chimney thoroughly swept. But is this actually mandatory?
Whether this is the case depends on a number of factors. For example, the operation of the fireplace or stove.
When should you have a chimney swept and when is this only sensible?
Why is it important to have a chimney cleaned?
First of all, it is important to have the chimney cleaned regularly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
This happens not only if stoves or heating appliances do not function correctly, but also if the chimney cannot remove sufficient emissions. For example, because the flue has become contaminated.
A dirty duct is also often the cause of a chimney fire. So you want to prevent that. It is also important for your area and the environment to have the chimney swept by a recognized company. This way you can keep the stove's emissions to a minimum.
Finally, you can also save on heating costs if you have a clean chimney. Your stove burns more efficiently on considerably less fuel.
Do you need to have a chimney cleaned?
For the above reasons alone, it is wise to have your chimney professionally cleaned and swept before you start burning firewood or pellets.
Sometimes you are even legally obliged to have the flue swept by a certified professional. For example, if you have a stove that you stoke with pellets or firewood. You are then obliged to have the chimney and chimney cleaned once a year by a certified chimney sweep.
So you are not allowed to do this yourself.
Do you have a heating appliance that runs on gas? Even then you are obliged to have the canal cleaned once every 1 years.
Please note! Sometimes there are different obligations imposed by your insurance company. OAn insurer can also oblige you to have your chimney swept periodically.
Don't you do this? Then you are not insured in the event of a (chimney) fire.
What can you do yourself to burn safely in a stove?
If you have a stove or a fireplace that burns solid fuel, such as firewood or pellets, you can also carry out maintenance yourself so that it can continue to burn safely.
It is important to empty the ash pan of the stove regularly. Allow the ashes to cool sufficiently and do not throw them in the garbage container immediately after burning. It is also important to remove combustion residues from a fireplace, depending on how much and how often you burn.
Chimney sweep costs and reduced VAT rate for homes of 10+
The price for having a chimney cleaned and swept varies from €50,00 to €120,00. If you are required to have your chimney cleaned, then you also have one Medical certificate necessary for the insurance company.
The prices of these cleanings are usually between € 120,00 and € 160,00. If you have your chimney regularly cleaned by a recognized company, you may also be eligible for the reduced VAT rate. This scheme applies to houses of 10+ years. You then pay 6% instead of 21% VAT.
Start your free quote request for having your chimney cleaned here.