HOME SERVICES INSERTS CARLSON'S F.A.Q. SERVICE AREA How often should my chimney be cleaned? How is a chimney cleaned, and is it messy? What should and should not be burned in a chimney? Why do I need a chimney cap? How do I know what type of chimney cap to get? With the rising cost of fuel prices, is there anything I can do to make my fireplace more efficient? I've been noticing that there is a strong odor of soot and ashes coming from my fireplace on hot, humid days. Sometimes the odor is also strong after it rains. What's causing this, and how can I get rid of it? With the rising cost of heating, is there anything I can do to minimize heat loss in the area of my fireplace?