Tjernlund RT-H Series Chimney Top Draft Inducers

Chimney Top Draft Inducers in Colorado: A Real-World Guide

A chimney top draft inducer is the fix most Colorado homeowners reach for when their fireplace just won't pull smoke up the flue the way it should. Up here, thin mountain air, swinging temperatures, and gusty winter storms gang up on a chimney's natural draft. I've been on enough Denver-area rooftops since 2001 to tell you that a stubborn smoky fireplace usually isn't broken masonry. More often than not it's a draft problem, and the right inducer solves it.

The Tjernlund RT-H Series Chimney Top Draft Inducers, including the RT750H and RT1500H, are the units we install most. They mount on top of the chimney, give the draft a mechanical assist, and make a fireplace or heating appliance burn cleaner and safer. Think of them as a fan that does the work the weather won't.

Whether you live in Summit County’s snowy high country or down in Mesa County’s dry valleys, one of these inducers can take a temperamental heating system and make it behave.

Get Tjernlund RT-H Series Chimney Top Draft Inducers Installed Today!

Nine times out of ten, when a homeowner calls me about smoke rolling back into the living room, it's not the bricks and it's not a dirty flue. It's draft. A good rooftop inducer fixes that for good, and folks are amazed at the difference the first night they light a fire.

- Adam, Owner, Adam Chimney Sweep

Understanding the RT-H Series Chimney Top Draft Inducers

The RT-H series gives you two models, and the right one depends on how big your chimney is and how much heating appliance you're trying to vent. Here's how they break down for both homes and commercial buildings.

1. RT750H Model

• Maximum CFM: 800
• Max Face Area: 14 square feet
• Inlet Diameter: 8 inches
• Voltage: 120V
• Amps: 1.2
• Ideal for: Small to mid-sized fireplaces and heating appliances in homes across Boulder County and Douglas County, where cold weather means the heat runs hard all season.

2. RT1500H Model

• Maximum CFM: 1700
• Max Face Area: 28 square feet
• Inlet Diameter: 12 inches
• Voltage: 120V
• Amps: 5.8
• Ideal for: Larger fireplaces and commercial setups in high-altitude spots like Lake County and Chaffee County, where you need steady airflow no matter what the weather does.

The simplest way to think about it: the RT750H handles most single-family homes, and the RT1500H is built for big open fireplaces, restaurant kitchens, and multi-unit buildings. When I do a site visit I measure the flue and check the appliance's BTU rating before I ever recommend one over the other. Guessing on size is how you end up with a unit that's too weak to help or so strong it over-drafts and burns through fuel.

Why Chimney Draft Inducers Matter for Colorado Homes

High-altitude areas like Pitkin County and Summit County sit under lower atmospheric pressure, and that thin air drags down how well a chimney drafts on its own. A draft inducer makes up the difference. Here's what a properly sized unit does for you:

• Cuts down backdrafts: Stops smoke from spilling back into the room when the chimney can't pull on its own.
• Burns cleaner: Better airflow means more complete combustion and heat that actually reaches your living space.
• Beats the wind: Blocks the downdraft problems that hit exposed homes in places like El Paso County.
• Clears the bad air: Pushes out harmful gases like carbon monoxide instead of letting them linger indoors.

That last point is the one I never let homeowners brush off. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and a sluggish draft is exactly the kind of condition that lets it back up into the house. The National Fire Protection Association lays out clear guidance on safe venting and combustion, and you can read more at the National Fire Protection Association. A working draft inducer keeps you on the right side of those standards.

Key Features of the RT-H Series Chimney Top Draft Inducers

1. Automatic Draft Control

The RT750H and RT1500H both come with automatic draft control that adjusts airflow to match what the fire actually needs. That keeps efficiency steady in places like Larimer County, where the weather can flip from calm to howling in an afternoon. You're not out on the roof fiddling with settings every time a front rolls through.

2. Heavy-Duty Construction

These units are built from corrosion-resistant materials, so they hold up to the rough weather in spots like Weld County, where snow and moisture chew through cheaper hardware fast. A rooftop fan lives outside in the worst Colorado throws at it, and flimsy parts rust out in a couple of seasons.

3. Quiet Operation

The motors are powerful, but the RT-H series runs quietly. That makes them a good fit for tight suburban streets in Broomfield County, where nobody wants a fan droning over the rooftop all winter. Most of my customers tell me they forget it's even running.

4. Versatile Installation Options

You can put these on just about any chimney we see out here, including:

• Masonry chimneys
• Metal chimneys
• Tile-lined chimneys

That flexibility makes them work just as well on a century-old brick chimney in Denver County as on a brand-new build in Jefferson County.

People worry these things are loud or look industrial sitting up on the roof. Honestly, half my customers forget the inducer is even there after the first week. It just quietly does its job, and the smoke goes where it's supposed to go.

- Adam, Owner, Adam Chimney Sweep

Applications of the Tjernlund RT-H Series in Colorado

I've put these inducers to work on all kinds of jobs over the years. A few of the most common:

1. Residential Fireplaces: Good airflow makes or breaks a traditional wood-burning fireplace, and those are everywhere in Eagle County, where folks lean on them all winter.
2. Wood Stoves: Remote cabins in San Miguel County often sit where natural draft just isn't enough, and an inducer picks up the slack.
3. Commercial Buildings: Restaurants and hotels in Summit County run big heating systems that need dependable draft control to stay safe and efficient.
4. Multi-Unit Buildings: Apartment complexes in Boulder County use them so every unit's heating system vents safely.

How the Installation Works

I always recommend a pro handle the install, and not because I'm trying to sell you labor. A draft inducer that's sized wrong or wired badly can make a draft problem worse instead of better. Here's the way we do it, step by step:

1. Site Assessment: We measure the chimney and figure out the venting needs based on the appliance's BTU/hr input. This is where we pick the right model.
2. Mounting the Inducer: We secure the unit to the chimney top with clamps or brackets so it stays put through wind and snow.
3. Electrical Connection: We connect it to a 120V power supply and set it up with a control system like the UCRT so you can dial in the speed.
4. Testing & Calibration: We confirm the airflow is right and adjust the speed settings until the draft pulls clean.

The whole thing usually wraps up in a single visit for a standard home. The testing step is the one I won't rush. Anybody can bolt a fan to a chimney, but getting the draft dialed in so it pulls smoke without over-drafting and wasting heat takes a measured airflow reading and a little patience.

The mistake I see most often is somebody buying an inducer online and slapping it up there without sizing it to the flue. Too small and it does nothing. Too big and it pulls heat straight out of the house and runs up your wood or gas bill. Get the measurements right the first time and it pays for itself.

- Adam, Owner, Adam Chimney Sweep

What to Expect: Watch a Denver Venting Job

Draft problems and chimney blockages go hand in hand, since both come down to whether air can move freely up the flue. This short clip from one of our Denver jobs shows the kind of venting and airflow work that goes into clearing a sluggish chimney, which is the same problem a draft inducer is built to solve.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

A little upkeep keeps a draft inducer running for years. None of it is complicated, and a lot of it we handle on a routine service visit. Here's the schedule I give my customers:

If something does go sideways, the problems are usually easy to track down. A few of the common ones and where to look first:

• Noisy operation: Check for loose mounting brackets or debris caught in the fan.
• Weak draft: Look for blockages in the flue or intake vent.
• Won't power on: Verify the power supply and the fuse connections.

Most of these are quick fixes. The one I'd never ignore is a sudden drop in draft, because that's the same warning sign you'd get from a flue blockage, and either way it means combustion gases aren't leaving the way they should.

Cost Considerations and Energy Savings

Putting in a draft inducer isn't free, but it tends to pay you back over time. Here's how the savings stack up:

• Lower fuel use, because better combustion means you're not throwing heat up a cold flue.
• Fewer costly repairs tied to soot buildup and creosote, which builds up faster when a fire burns dirty.
• A longer life for your heating system, since it runs under the conditions it was designed for.

Estimated Cost Breakdown:

Why Choose Adam Chimney Sweep for Installation in Colorado

At Adam Chimney Sweep, we install and maintain the Tjernlund RT-H Series across a long list of Colorado counties. We've been doing this since 2001, and we know how local conditions change the job from one town to the next:

• Summit County – Ski-town homes need dependable draft to get through a long heating season.
• Boulder County – Older houses get a real efficiency bump from better draft control.
• Douglas County – Family neighborhoods keep their fireplaces safe with regular service.
• Mesa County – Rural homes lean on efficient heat through the cold months.
• Larimer County – Steady chimney performance keeps the house comfortable year-round.

Why Invest in Draft Inducers for Colorado Chimneys?

Colorado throws a lot at a chimney, from the snowy peaks of Huerfano County to the windy plains of Bent County. All of it can mess with natural draft. Tjernlund inducers handle those conditions by:

• Stopping backdrafts: Keeps smoke out of the house when the wind kicks up.
• Improving combustion: Burns more efficiently and wastes less fuel.
• Keeping you safe: Properly pushes out carbon monoxide and other combustion gases.
• Performing anywhere: Works for both homes and commercial buildings.

Affordable Draft Inducer Services for Colorado Residents

We keep our pricing straightforward so you know what you're paying for before we start. Here's a breakdown of our services and rates:

Key Features of the RT-H Series

RT750H

• Max CFM: 800
• Max Face Area: 14 square feet
• Applications: A solid pick for residential fireplaces and stoves in homes across Archuleta County and Delta County.

RT1500H

• Max CFM: 1700
• Max Face Area: 28 square feet
• Applications: Made for large commercial fireplaces or multi-unit properties in La Plata County and Cheyenne County.

Top Benefits of Draft Inducer Services in Colorado Counties

How Our Services Help Colorado Homeowners

1. Professional Installation:
   Our technicians size the unit to your chimney and appliance so it's set up right. We've got custom solutions for outdated or damaged chimneys, including homes in Costilla County.
2. Routine Maintenance:
   Regular cleaning and inspection keep draft inducers in top shape, which stretches their lifespan and keeps things safe for Grand County residents.
3. Expert Repairs:
   From worn-out fan motors to electrical gremlins, we handle the repairs for homeowners in Crowley County and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Tjernlund draft inducers handle Colorado’s high-altitude climate?

Yes. The RT750H and RT1500H are built to improve chimney draft in thin mountain air, including high-altitude regions like Routt County and Pitkin County. That's exactly the situation they shine in.

How often should I schedule maintenance for my draft inducer?

Once a year is the right rhythm for most homes, and it matters even more in colder spots like Conejos County, where the fireplace runs hard all winter. We clean the fan, check the wiring, and test the draft so you head into the cold season ready.

What happens if my draft inducer stops working?

Give us a call and we'll get it sorted. We offer affordable troubleshooting and repairs to get your unit back up and running fast, usually in one visit.

Do I really need a pro, or can I install one myself?

You can buy one yourself, but sizing and wiring are easy to get wrong, and a mistake can make your draft worse. A quick site visit makes sure you get the right model installed the right way. If you'd rather talk it over first, our chimney inspection team can take a look at your setup before you spend a dime.

Contact Us for Expert Installation

If you're thinking about a Tjernlund RT-H Series Chimney Top Draft Inducer for your home or business, our certified technicians are ready to help. Give Adam Chimney Sweep a call at (720) 207-9232, or reach out through our contact page and we'll set up a time to come take a look. We've been keeping Colorado chimneys drafting right since 2001, and we'd be glad to do the same for you.