Table of Contents
What does a flue do on a fireplace?
What Is a Flue? Your flue liner (located inside your chimney) is the vertical passageway that transports the waste gas to the outdoors. Think of chimney liners as an exhaust pipe that transports smoke and combustion products safely outdoors.
Does a fireplace need a flue?
If you have a wood-burning fire, no matter what type of appliance or fireplace it is, your system requires a flue. It may be inside a chimney or a simple flue pipe—but the flue is the duct by which smoke and waste gases exit the home.
What is the difference between a flue and a chimney?
A flue is the channel, pipe, or tube through which gases and smoke travel from a source of combustion (fireplace, furnace, boiler) to the outside environment. A chimney is, on the other hand, in its simplest definition, the housing that encases the flue. It is usually made of masonry, brick, or stone.
Where is the flue on a fireplace?
A chimney flue is a vertical passage or duct that runs from the firebox (where the fire burns) to the top of the chimney. Technically, a flue is any open vertical space in a chimney that allows smoke to escape the home from the firebox.
Why is it called a flue?
Historically the term flue meant the chimney itself. In the United States, they are also known as vents for boilers and as breeching for water heaters and modern furnaces. They usually operate by buoyancy, also known as the stack effect, or the combustion products may be ‘induced’ via a blower.
How do I know if my chimney has a flue?
See for yourself. From inside the house, open the flue and look up as far as you can. Next, check the chimney from the roof by removing the cap and doing a visual inspection. Any signs of cracks or rough edges can signify an issue and confirm your chimney professional’s assessment.
What is the difference between a damper and a flue?
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 have a gas fireplace without a flue?
Gas and propane fireplaces provide a convenient, low-cost alternative to traditional fireplace options, but they aren’t trouble-free. Ventless fireplaces, which don’t include a flue or chimney, have been sold in the U.S. since 1980. They’re powered by natural gas, propane, alcohol-based gels, or electricity.
When should I close my fireplace flue?
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.
Is a flue a vent?
Understanding Flues A flue is simply a passage for conveying exhaust gases from an appliance to the outdoors. A flue may be a duct, pipe, vent, or chimney. An unlined chimney is technically a flue, even though an unlined chimney is a fire hazard.
Why do you close the flue on a fireplace?
This is done to prevent warm, interior room air from being pulled into the firebox and up the chimney. The damper is a door of sorts, that when closed, separates the firebox from the chimney. If a damper is not opened when a fire is built, smoke will back up quickly and fill the room. Guaranteed!Dec 26, 2019.
Is the flue open or closed?
Visually Check A visual check is one of the surest ways of checking whether the damper is open or not. You should be able to reach up and touch the closed damper. If you have a top-mount damper, check for daylight at the top of the flue. If you can’t see daylight at the top, the damper is closed.
What is a flue in a house?
FLUE – (lining in a masonry chimney)- “A clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.” Although building codes vary from one state or locality to another, the Mar 20, 2015.
What are the three main types of flue?
What Are the Different Types of Flu? There are three types of flu viruses: A, B, and C. Type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20% of the population sniffling, aching, coughing, and running high fevers. Type C also causes flu; however, type C flu symptoms are much less severe.
What does flue mean?
Definition of flue : an enclosed passageway for directing a current: such as. a : a channel in a chimney for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air. b : a pipe for conveying flame and hot gases around or through water in a steam boiler.
