Chimney Sweeps Make a Comeback: Energy Resilience vs. Public Health

In this episode, we explore an unexpected revival from the past: chimney sweeps are back in London.

Surging energy prices, wood-burning stove installations, and growing concerns about grid resilience have reignited a 500-year-old trade. But today’s sweeps don’t climb soot-covered flues. They use drones, thermal cameras, and industrial vacuum systems—bringing modern tech to an old-world necessity.

We break down the resilience case for fireplaces as backup heat during outages and winter grid stress. Then we examine the trade-offs: increased PM2.5 exposure, indoor air quality concerns, and the broader public health implications of more households burning solid fuels.

For families relying on wood heat, cleaner-burning fuels, certified stoves, and annual chimney inspections aren’t optional—they’re essential. The comeback of chimney sweeps isn’t nostalgia. It’s a signal about energy insecurity, household preparedness, and how quickly the past can become relevant again.