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A chimney damper prevents conditioned (warmed or cooled) house air from escaping through the flue when you’re not using the fireplace. You need to open the damper when you start a fire to allow for proper airflow and let the smoke out.
Do all fireplaces have dampers?
Every Fireplace has a chimney damper. This is a movable plate that sits above the fireplace before the flue. If you pull the lever toward you, generally that will open most of the dampers. When the damper is closed, it helps to keep heated air from going up the chimney.
How does a damper on a fireplace work?
A fireplace damper is a small door inside a fireplace, usually near the base of the chimney. When a fire is lit, an open damper lets the smoke, soot and gases escape out the chimney. When the damper is closed, it prevents cold air from entering through the chimney.
Is a flue and a damper 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. Your damper should have a chain or handle that you can access in order to open and close it.
How do I know if my fireplace damper is open?
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 a damper necessary?
Newer models of wood stove don’t typically require a damper. A damper was traditionally used on older, less efficient, models of stove to help reduce the flow of air leaving the firebox. Certified modern stoves meet stringent regulations and typically won’t need a damper to perform well.
Where is the fireplace damper located?
What is a fireplace damper? Think of a chimney damper like a lid for your fireplace. It is located in the flue, which is the air shaft through which smoke and air can travel in and out of your chimney, and is located above the firebox where the fire is made, and is in use both when fireplace is active and inactive.
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.
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 do I get more heat from my fireplace?
How to Increase Heat From a Wood-Burning Fireplace Burn seasoned firewood. Open the damper as wide as possible to increase the amount of air to the fire. Clean your chimney once a year. Replace the screen in front of the fireplace with tempered glass doors, and keep the doors closed while a fire is burning.
How much does it cost to open a fireplace damper?
The damper should be kept open until all embers are finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the home. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed. An open damper is like an open window, allowing large amounts of heat from the home to escape.
How much does it cost to replace fireplace damper?
The average cost to repair or replace the damper in your fireplace or chimney is around $60 for damper door replacement only, with DIY installation. If the frame needs to be replaced as well, plan on $350-$400 and a Pro to do the job.
Should fireplace damper be open in summer?
The chimney damper is the last line of defense to keep water and critters out of your home. Even if you have a chimney cap, it is a good idea to keep the damper closed in the summer. The hot, humid air that the damper lets into the chimney won’t air out chimney odors. It may actually cause your chimney to smell.
How do you tell if your chimney is blocked?
Signs of a blocked chimney and its flue liner include: An excessive smell of smoke during a fire. A white residue on the walls of the flue liner. Water leakage. Debris falling towards the base of the fireplace.
What is the chain in my fireplace?
A chain inside the firebox operates top-sealing dampers. When the damper is closed, the chain is pulled in and placed on a hook to keep the damper closed. Releasing the chain from the hook allows the damper to open. Chimney dampers are simple mechanisms, but they have a major impact on the function of your fireplace!Feb 19, 2018.
Can you replace a fireplace damper?
A damper must be in one piece that is snug to the flue in order for it to work properly. Replacing a fireplace damper by yourself is possible, and you can save yourself some serious money by foregoing professional consultation.
