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You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed.
How do I know if my fireplace is open or closed?
A visual check is one of the surest ways of checking whether the damper is open or not. Simply stick your head in the fireplace and look up. If you have a throat damper, the closed damper immediately above your head will block your vision. You should be able to reach up and touch the closed damper.
Should the lever be up or down on fireplace?
When burning your fireplace, the outside air kit lever should always be in the open (or up) position. The outside air kit is designed to provide additional air for combustion.
Should the damper be open all the way?
When should the damper be kept open or closed? The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace. Close the damper when the fire is extinguished. This will prevent the heated air from escaping through the chimney and will keep water and other debris out of the flue.
Should damper be open or closed?
The damper should be open when you have a fire going to allow the smoke and carbon monoxide to flow up the chimney and out of your living space. If you start a fire with the damper closed, you will fill your home with smoke!.
Should the damper be open or closed on a gas fireplace?
Because gas-log fires produce copious amounts of carbon monoxide, they have to vent outside in a fail-safe manner. That’s why there is, or should be, a keep-open device attached to the damper in gas-log fireplaces. Do not close a fireplace damper until the fire is completely out.
Is a damper and flue the same thing?
A damper is located in the flue of your chimney. The flue is where the smoke escapes when the fire is going. Dampers are placed inside of the flue to help control ventilation.
How do you know if the flue is open?
Lean in under your chimney just outside of your wood burning stove. You should find a metal device just within the chimney or flue opening. The damper is open if you can see through the damper up to your chimney. If you only see a metal plate, the damper is in a closed position.
What is the knob on the side of my fireplace?
What Is the Damper? A fireplace damper is a metal plate or cap that sits inside or on top of your flue. It blocks off the airflow when it’s closed and lets air through when it’s open. Air can flow both ways, so outside air can come into your home and the heated air from your home can escape through an open damper.
Should dampers be open or closed in summer?
HVAC Damper Open Or Closed In Summer/Winter In most homes, dampers going to the upstairs are open in the summer and closed in the winter. By closing the dampers to the upstairs in the winter, it allows for the heat to rise naturally after first being introduced into the lower levels of the home.
How do I close my fireplace damper?
To open or close the damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position. Replace the handle when the damper is in place.
How do I know if my gas fireplace flue is open or closed?
Feeling the breeze is another method you can use to know whether you have an open or closed flue. Locate your hand inside the fireplace and wait to notice if you can feel the air flowing. When the flue is open, air will flow down the chimney.
Should the flue be open on a gas fireplace?
Our research shows that the flue on a gas fireplace should remain open during use or when the pilot light is lit. If the flue is closed in either instance, you risk a greater chance of carbon monoxide poisoning or a spark induced structure fire due to a buildup of toxins emitted by propane or natural gas burners.
Should you leave the flue open?
The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Close it when it’s not it use. Operating the fireplace with the damper partially closed will not generate more heat. Instead, blocking the passage through the flue will result in smoke entering the home.
Can you use fireplace without damper?
Does My Chimney Have a Fireplace Damper? And while older wood-burning fireplaces can function safely without a damper (gas fireplaces cannot), a chimney without a damper is just a gaping hole in the roof of your house. It’s a gateway for frigid air to enter and for heated air to escape in the winter.
What is a damper handle?
Throat Damper Handles are used to replace old traditional style fireplace throat damper handles. Old throat dampers located at the bottom of the fireplace flue tend to rust and fall apart. These handles can be used to replace an old handle. Fabricated with 1/4″ cold rolled steel.
How do you close a flue?
How to Close the Chimney Flue Turn off the gas to the fireplace or wait for wood to burn out. Put on work gloves to keep your hands free of soot. Push the lever up slightly to disengage it from its support tab and then pull it away from the tab horizontally as the damper lowers into a closed position.
Do you close the damper on a wood stove?
Close the damper until nearly shut for overnight or maintenance fires, such as when you go out to the supermarket. The minimal airflow allows for smoldering coals and existing smoke to escape through the flue pipe, but not enough airflow for flames and mass consumption of the wood.
What is at the bottom of my fireplace?
An ash pit is a compartment at the base of the fireplace that holds fireplace ashes. This compartment, usually a cavity surrounded by cinder blocks or concrete, is reached through a small metal access door mounted flush in the fireplace floor or wall.
What is the switch on my fireplace?
Gas Fireplace Wall Switch: What, Why & How Simply put, a fireplace wall switch is a toggle switch that opens or closes the circuit between the thermopile and the gas valve. Well, it’s a safety feature that prevents the gas valve from turning on if the pilot light is not working properly.
