Should fireplace 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.
How do I adjust the damper on my fireplace?
Using the Fireplace Damper
- Step 1: Open the Damper. When lighting a fire, move the damper into its fully open position.
- Step 2: Adjust the Damper. After starting the fire, adjust the damper to the half-closed position.
- Step 3: Monitor the Fire. Keep a close eye on the fire as it continues to burn.
What happens if you leave damper open?
Leaving your damper open during the summer forces your air conditioner to work harder in order to compensate for the incoming warm air. This causes an uneccessary spike in your utility bills, and if your HVAC system is old and overworked, might even force you to pay for a repair or replacement.
Is the damper supposed to 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.
Should flue be fully 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.
Why does my fireplace have 2 dampers?
One lever opens and closes the damper, allowing the smoke to come up through the flue of the chimney, while a second lever opens and closes the air vents, allowing fresh combustion air to enter and fuel the fire. This prevents smoke from going back inside the room while avoiding CO poisoning.
Can you leave fireplace 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.
Is the flue open to the left or right?
If you can see up through the damper and past to your chimney’s interior, then the damper is open. If you only see the metal plate that’s blocking your line of sight, then the damper is closed.
Is a damper the same as 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. Your damper should have a chain or handle that you can access in order to open and close it.
How can I tell if my fireplace damper 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.
What kind of damper do you use for a fireplace?
For decades, the most common damper in masonry fireplaces was a cast-iron throat damper. This style consists of a cast-iron frame or throat mortared above the top of the firebox inside the smoke chamber with a cast-iron plate that pivots open or shut.
Do you have to open chimney damper before lighting fire?
Many people wonder about how to properly use a chimney damper. Opening the damper is straightforward: always make sure the damper is fully open before lighting a fire in the fireplace. This allows the chimney to draft at maximum efficiency during startup and effectively remove smoke.
How do you close a throat damper on a fireplace?
If you can pull the handle towards you then you may be closing the damper. Some dampers also work in reserve; pulling the handle towards you will open the damper, while pushing it into the fireplace will close it. Other throat dampers can also be opened and closed by moving a lever to the left or right.
