Table of Contents
When should I close the damper on my fireplace?
You should close the damper on your fireplace once the fire and embers have all burned out. This prevents warm air in your house from escaping out the chimney. You should open the damper before lighting a fire and close it once the fire is done burning.
How far should I open my damper?
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.
Should fireplace damper be open or closed?
You need to open the damper when you start a fire to allow for proper airflow and let the smoke out. A closed damper can restrict airflow and become a safety issue since smoke would fill your house.
How do I know if my fireplace flue is open or closed?
Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don’t feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.
Is it OK to leave the flue open overnight?
The smoke from burning wood contains carbon monoxide, so in order to prevent this toxic byproduct from entering your home, it is important to leave the flue open overnight. This enables a draft to carry the compound out into the atmosphere, instead of sinking down the chimney and saturating the room.
Can you leave damper open overnight?
Leave the damper open overnight. Yes, you will lose some heat up the flue, but you will save the occupants of the home from poisoning by colorless, odorless carbon monoxide. Only when they are completely cold to the touch is it safe to shut the fireplace 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.
What happens if you forget to open the flue?
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.
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.
Can you go to bed with embers in the fireplace?
Can I go to sleep with a fire in the fireplace? You should never go to sleep while a fire is in the fireplace. It may seem safe—after all, the fire is small and controlled behind a metal grate.
Do I close the glass doors on my fireplace?
The glass doors should be closed as the fire dies down to minimize the amount of room air going up the fireplace chimney. When burning gas logs in a wood-burning fireplace, the glass doors should always be fully open when the gas logs are burning.
What is the lever on the side of my fireplace?
What is this? The second handle you may find in your fireplace (usually located on the left inside panel) is a control lever for the outside air kit. When burning your fireplace, the outside air kit lever should always be in the open (or up) position.
How do I know if my chimney flue is open?
Conduct a visual check. 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.
Does every fireplace have a damper?
Every fireplace needs a damper to let out smoke and gases and to keep out rain, debris and animals. Learn more about the essential fireplace damper.
What is a fire damper and how does it work?
In general a fire damper works when heat from a fire causes the normal temperature of a room to rise to approximately 165 degrees Fahrenheit i.e. it is designed to close automatically on the detection of heat. The fusible link which is attached to the damper melts causing the dampers’ door to close.
How do you keep a fire going all night in a fireplace?
11 Ways To Keep A Fire Going In An Open Fireplace Ensure That The Damper Is Fully Open. Warm The Chimney. Maintain The Air Supply. Build The Fire Correctly. Only Burn Wood That Is Dry Enough. Burn Room Temperature Wood. Burn Hardwood Logs. Add A Couple of Logs At A Time.
