Sweeps in Prague: How the 70th Congress Is Preparing for a Fossil Fuel-Free Future

By Bill Thornton, President, National Chimney Sweep Guild

As sweeps from the USA and Europe gathered in the city of Prague for the 70th Annual ESCHFOE Congress this September, friendships rekindled and smiles were plentiful.

Our Czech hosts made our stay very comfortable with outings to the old city, dinner with the archbishop, and visits to their fire museum and Zbirch Castle. All this hospitality took place while eastern Europe was in the midst of a large weather event that flooded many homes as rivers spilled out of their banks. Many thanks again to Major David Schon and his colleagues.

Each country presented a report to the Congress. Many of the presidents were very concerned about the overall ban of fossil fuels along with woodburning fireplaces. Sweeps in Europe will need to expand their services to include ventilation design and cleaning. Finland is concerned if the move to heat pumps becomes law, they would not be able to heat structures in their country. Average temperatures are 7 degrees in the dead of winter!

This is a warning to sweeps in the states – a fossil fuel ban could be coming to a state near you. Building performance is another service we could transition to. Currently, it is not really something that we introduce to homeowners, focusing on inspections. After spending the last few years around Victor Imgarten and Bob Ferrari, they have been trying to get us to realize this service should be part of our service offerings.

Now is the time to consider the building performance world. The NCSG will be your partner in this training so you can be the leader in your market on building performance!

Our guild has introduced the world of house pressurization with the Heat and Moisture (HAM) house class. This class is making its way around the country at state guild events. Mark your calendar for January 20 for the North Central Chimney Guild HAM house class in Merrill, WI!

We have all adapted the inspection process over these past 10 years or so. You are now selling inspections – not sweeps – to new customers. This is a huge culture change from our beginnings. Jerry Isenhour introduced us to the world of infrared training with United Infrared at our annual conventions. Consider taking your training in this area further. This is another market that is wide open for us. ■