How Open Should a Flue Be? The fireplace damper needs to be open all the time from when you’re lighting the fire throughout when it is burning. The flue damper should be wide open when opening the fireplace door. This will prevent smoke from escaping into the room.
Can I 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.
Should I open my fireplace flue all the way?
A fireplace damper should always be kept open while the fire is burning. Furthermore, keep the damper open until all the embers are completely out; since smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide can enter the house.
How open Does the flue need to be from gas fireplace?
The glass doors, found one some gas log fireplaces, should always be fully closed or fully open. In order to minimize the amount of air going up the chimney, this door needs to be closed as the fire dies. On the other hand, it needs to be open whenever the fire is burning strongly and whenever you're starting a fire.
What position is open on a fireplace flue?
0:422:09Basic Home Improvements : How Do You Open a Fireplace Damper?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's fully open and when it's to the left its fully closed.MoreIt's fully open and when it's to the left its fully closed.
How much should damper be open?
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.
When should you close a flue?
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.
Can I run my gas fireplace with the flue closed?
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.
How do you use a fireplace flue?
0:112:10Basic Home Improvements : How to Work a Fireplace Damper - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe want to make sure that this damper is either in the closed position and then before we light ourMoreWe want to make sure that this damper is either in the closed position and then before we light our fire. We always want to make sure it's in the open position.
Do I need to open damper for gas fireplace?
Whether your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it was built with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a 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.
How do you know if the chimney flue is open?
If you don't feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed. Another way to find out if the damper is open is to do a visual check. If your chimney has a traditional damper, all you need to do is shine a flashlight up the chimney. If you can see the sky, it is open.
What's 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. Your damper should have a chain or handle that you can access in order to open and close it.
When should I adjust my fireplace damper?
How to use the fireplace damper to control the fireOpen the fireplace damper all the way when starting a fire.Let the fire burn for a few minutes then adjust the damper so that it is partially closed (about half way) to see how it affects the fire.More items...
How can I increase the efficiency of my fireplace?
Luckily, we've come up with a list of 4 ways you can get more heat and efficiency out of your wood-burning fireplace:Use the Damper to it's full potential. ... Use glass doors. ... Burn only seasoned firewood. ... Use a fireplace insert.
How do you use a fireplace flue?
0:112:10Basic Home Improvements : How to Work a Fireplace Damper - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe want to make sure that this damper is either in the closed position and then before we light ourMoreWe want to make sure that this damper is either in the closed position and then before we light our fire. We always want to make sure it's in the open position.
Should fireplace flue be open or closed in summer?
In the summer, a closed damper helps to keep cool, air-conditioned air inside the home where it belongs. 2. In the winter, when you're not using the fireplace, a closed damper helps to keep cold air from swirling down into the house.
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. Your damper should have a chain or handle that you can access in order to open and close it.
How to make sure flue is open?
If you have a top mount damper, you should pull the chain. When you pull it down, then the damper will spring open as long as you don’t secure the chain. This is a great way to make sure that the flue is open anytime you plan to start a fire.
Why should you adjust the flue on a fireplace?
The flue in your chimney lets you choose how much air flows up the chimney when using your fireplace. The flue should be adjusted to make sure that your fire is safe and efficient. You can adjust the damper to prevent air from escaping when you are not using the fireplace as well.
How to tell if a chimney is open or closed?
One way to find out is to feel for a draft. When the flue is open, the air will circulate through the chimney, and you should be able to feel air that is the temperature of the outdoor air. You can also take a look in the chimney. Look up the fireplace to see if you can see the sky outside. If you have a throat damper, you will be able to touch it to see if it is open or closed.
Should you keep the flue open when you aren't using it?
You should keep the fireplace flue closed when you aren’t using it. This will prevent hot or cold air from escaping up the chimney. However, you should make sure that it is completely open before starting the fire and whenever you are using the fireplace. If you light a fire and it is closed, the smoke will enter your house. Keep the flue open until the fire is completely out.
Can you light a fire without opening the fireplace flue?
Lighting a fire without opening the fireplace flue will make smoke spill into the house, which can be very dangerous.
Is it important to open and close the flue?
It is important to open and close the fireplace flue at the appropriate time. I wasn’t aware of this. We enjoyed our fireplace this winter many times, and we are now in summer, and I realized that I left the flue open. So I researched the topic, and this is what I learned.
Should the Fireplace Flue Be Open or Closed?
You should keep the fireplace flue closed when you aren’t using it, but it is very important to open it all the way before you light a fire. You should keep it completely open until the fire is out all the way. When you aren’t using the fireplace, closing the flue will keep hot or cooled air in the home. An open flue is similar to opening a window, so keep it closed.
What is a flue damper?
A fireplace flue damper enables you to control how much air flows up your home's chimney when the fireplace is in use. Adjusting the damper allows you to burn a fire efficiently and safely. It also prevents heat from escaping up the chimney when the fireplace is not in use.
When should a fireplace damper be closed?
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. Keeping a fireplace damper closed when it's not in use will result in ...
Why do you close the damper on a fireplace?
Close Damper to Save Heat. 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.
Do All Gas Fireplaces Have A Flue?
Most gas fireplaces have a flue, as in most states, it’s a required fail-safe mechanism. Flues ventilate the fireplace, ensuring none of the smoke and fumes enter your home. Many models nowadays also contain a keep-open device that makes it so the flue never fully closes and always functions correctly.
Should You Open The Flue On A Gas Fireplace?
Flues should always be kept open since they’re responsible for ventilating your fireplace. Closing the flue while lighting a fire will push all the smoke and fumes inside your home, so always keep it open, especially if you often light a fire.
How to feel for a flue?
If it's dark out or you're not sure, you can reach your hand up to feel for the flue. (Make sure there has not been a fire recently as the flue gets hot.) If the flue is open, you'll be able to reach your hand up the chimney. Once you've determined the status of the flue damper, remember the position of the lever or chains so you'll always know ...
When to close a flue damper?
Close the flue damper when there is no fire. When you're fire is out or during seasons that you don't have fires, keep the flue damper shut to prevent heat or cooling loss. It will help you save energy too. Don't manipulate the flue damper when a fire is burning or a fire has just been extinguished.
What happens if the flue damper is left open?
Or if the damper of the flue is left open when there is no fire, you could be wasting energy and increasing your electric bill. Fortunately, operating the fireplace flue damper takes little skill. Advertisement.
Where is the pulley located on a fireplace?
They are most often found at the front top part of the fireplace . Often you can see them just by looking directly at the fire place. If not, you'll need to poke your head into the fireplace and look up.
Is the damper on the flue open?
Make sure the damper on the flue is fully open when lighting a fire. A fire on a cold night keeps the family home warm and cozy. Without knowledge of how to operate the damper on the flue, however, you could end up with a house full of smoke. Or if the damper of the flue is left open when there is no fire, you could be wasting energy ...
