National Chimney Premier Damper Cap-13X13

It was a great product. Easy to install

Now I can keep the cold air from coming in the house.

I was having issues with outside air seeping and bugs coming in through my two chimney so it was recommended to install chimney caps as they are supposed to be air tight due to the seals. My installer installed the National Chimney Premiers since that's what their supplier had in stock. They claimed it was made in the US and had a lifetime warranty as well.After installation, I commented that (while open), one of the lids that goes up and down looked crooked. They went up to inspect and ended up tightening the chain that opens and closes the lid. This all of sudden became a two hand pull instead one. Then, I asked my wife to watch it while I operated it from open to close. She described it as "jittery" and "unstable". The installers said it was normal but then I noticed I could hear the outside like a window was cracked open when I stuck my head in one of the fireplaces.Luckily the installers said if I wanted a different brand I could let them know and they would order and install at no additional charge. Upon my research online and talking to other chimney maintenance companies, the consensus seems to be that the US Fireplaces Energy Top Plus is the most effective and best cap on the market. The installers came back and replaced the caps with the Energy Top Plus. What a huge difference that made as I could tell immediately while opening and closing. The operation is smooth and easy (with one handle) both pulling on the chain and visually from the outside. My wife said there was no "jittering" and the lid was smooth and stable.The Premier claims to be air tight (which did not seem to be the case for the two I had installed), it's made in the US, and it has a lifetime warranty but this is true for much of the competition and this does not make it a good product by default. Avoid this model and go with the Energy Top Plus. You won't be sorry.

The materials all appear to be of high quality, and the price is better than similar items on the market.Unfortunately I am very dissapointed in the assembly around the weather seal. Straight out of the box when inspectimg and pulling the cable to close the damper, I noticed a very large gap in the seal between the insulated damper and the rubber gasket. I remembered another review saying this was due to a heavy spring, so I pulled harder. I pulled so hard that the cable pulled out of its wire crimp, yet the gaps did not close. On closer inspection the gaps are not due to a heavy spring, but because the damper lid is not perfectly flat. This is not surprising for a sheet metel assembly, however they did not leave enough give in the rubber gasket to allow it to still form a good seal (like weather stripping around an entry door). See the photo with a flashlight behind the seal. I measured the largest gap at 1/4" while pressing the lid closed firmly. I dont think the insulated lid will do much good with an air gap that big.

great product

Great

Good idea; however, the damper cap was too flimsy to create a tight seal against the flue - one corner does not seal regardless of how tight it is pulled close.

Doesnt closr all the way, leaks air.