Should the fireplace flue be open or closed?
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.
Should you open the flue on a gas fireplace?
We’ve determined that the flue on a gas fireplace should stay open whenever the fireplace is in use or when the pilot light is on. If the flue were to be closed in either situation, there are severe safety concerns that could arise – including a greater risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or a structure fire caused by a buildup of toxins produced by the natural gas or propane burners.
How to start a fire in fireplace?
Top Tips for How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace Clean Out the Ashes. An important step to knowing how to work a fireplace is to make sure all ashes are cleaned out of... Choose the Right Fireplace Wood. Choose dense wood such as oak. Wood should be split and stored in a high and dry place... Check ...
Do I open the flue for a gas fireplace?
The flue of your gas fireplace should be open during and slightly after lighting your pilot light. An open flue ensures proper ventilation, which takes away many safety risks. If the ember bed is completely off, the flue can be closed to retain heat, but otherwise, it should be open.
How do I know if my fireplace flue is open or closed?
Simply stick your head in the fireplace and look up. If you have a throat damper, the closed damper immediately above your head will block your vision. 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.
Which way do you turn flue to open?
You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed.
How do you tell if a damper is open or closed?
Stick your hand near the opening of the fireplace. If you feel air breeze against your hand, then it's safe to say that the damper is open. If there's a clear absence of a draft, then it's closed.
Which way do you close a fireplace damper?
Poker dampers operate on a long, curved handle. The handle has grooves in it to hold the damper in place. To open or close the damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position. Replace the handle when the damper is in place.
How do you close a fireplace flue?
If there's a lever, move it side to side or up and down to release it before sliding it horizontally. This motion will cause the damper to slowly lower in to the closed position, so the lever will remain loose. For pull chains, pull the longer one to extricate the damper and the shorter to close the flue.
What are the 2 levers on 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 does a fireplace flue work?
The movement of hot gases rising from the fire creates a pressure difference between the inside of the flue and the room. This is called a “draught” and it forces air into the fireplace, this air feeds the flames as it rushes past the fire. The hotter the fire, the faster the air rises and the better the chimney works.
What are the levers on my wood burning stove?
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.
How do you open the flue on a wood stove?
Orient yourself with the damper handle on the outside of your flue pipe or the exterior of your stove. Some handles push in and pull out, others turn clockwise or counter-clockwise, and some slide from side to side. Determine which position is open and which closes the damper for your particular stove.
When can you close a fireplace flue?
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. Once the ember bed is entirely out, close the damper.
Does cold air come down the chimney?
Fireplace and chimney basics The path for smoke also is a path for air. When a fireplace isn't in use, cold air from outside can come down the chimney into the home, and warm interior air can escape up through the flue.
Is it OK to leave fireplace flue open?
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.
How do you open the flue on a wood stove?
Orient yourself with the damper handle on the outside of your flue pipe or the exterior of your stove. Some handles push in and pull out, others turn clockwise or counter-clockwise, and some slide from side to side. Determine which position is open and which closes the damper for your particular stove.
What is the knob on my fireplace?
If your fireplace has a knob, you'll twist the knob to open the damper. This type lets you adjust how far open the damper is. Damper controls are usually located near the top of the firebox.
How do you use a fireplace flue?
0:152:10Basic Home Improvements : How to Work a Fireplace Damper - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's covering it's closing your chimney flue or it's in the open position allowing air flow upMoreSo it's covering it's closing your chimney flue or it's in the open position allowing air flow up through your chimney flue. And of course whenever we're not using the fireplace.
When should I close the chimney 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. Why is the damper so important?
How to Open a Fireplace Flue?from ventfree.org
Note that the method you use depends on the fireplace type you have and its construction.
What Really Is a Fireplace Flue?from airpurelife.com
A fireplace flue can simply be described as the tube, pipe or channel through which smoke and gases move from a combustion point (such as a fireplace) out the chimney.
How Open Should a Flue Be?from ventfree.org
The flue damper should be wide open when opening the fireplace door. This will prevent smoke from escaping into the room.
What Happens When You Leave the Flue Open?from ventfree.org
The fire continues to burn as long as the flue is open. As such, smoke and other contaminants will safely leave the chimney since that’s the purpose of a chimney flue. However, while the fire builds when the damper is open, leaving it fully open isn’t advisable as heated air can escape, which interferes with your fireplace operation.
How Do You Re-line Chimney Flues?from ventfree.org
You can’t easily repair chimney flues once they are damaged. But, individuals can re-line them. Note that manufacturers use either flexible or rigid steel to make flue liners.
How to tell if a chimney is open or closed?from housenotebook.com
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.
Why should you adjust the flue on a fireplace?from housenotebook.com
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.
What Position is Open on a Fireplace Flue?
A fireplace flue is a vertical shaft that connects the firebox to the chimney. The purpose of the flue is to create a draft so that smoke and combustion gases can be drawn up and out of the firebox.
How Do I Make Sure the Flue is Open?
If you have a wood-burning or gas fireplace, it’s important to make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire. Otherwise, the fire could start to smoke and fill up your home with harmful fumes. The first step is to take a look at the flue itself. If it’s a metal flue, you should be able to see daylight through the opening at the top.
Is My Fireplace Flue Open Or Closed?
If you’re unsure whether or not your fireplace flue is open or closed, take a look at the damper. If the damper is open, then the flue is most likely open as well. Another way to tell if the flue is open is to look up into the chimney. If you see daylight, then the flue is definitely open!
How Do You Close a Fireplace Flue?
Assuming you would like tips on how to close a fireplace flue:If your fireplace has an automatic damper, simply push the button or handle to the closed position.
How to Tell If Flue is Open on Gas Fireplace?
If you have a gas fireplace, it’s important to make sure that the flue is open before lighting a fire. Otherwise, all of the heat will go up the chimney and out of your home. Here are a few ways to tell if your flue is open: 1. Take a look at the damper. If it’s open, you should be able to see daylight through it.
Fireplace Damper Half Open?
If you have a fireplace, you know that there is a damper that opens and closes to let the smoke out. But did you know that if your damper is only half open, it can actually cause some problems?When your fireplace damper is only half open, it doesn’t allow enough airflow. This can cause the fire to smolder and produce a lot of smoke.
How to Open Chimney Flue?
Assuming you would like a blog post discussing how to open a chimney flue: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it’s important to open the flue before lighting a fire.
How do I know if the flue is open?
If the flue is open, you should see a steady stream of smoke coming from the chimney. If the flue is closed, you will see no smoke coming from the chimney.
How do you close the damper on a fireplace?
There is a lever or knob on the face of the fireplace that opens and closes the damper.
Is a damper and flue the same thing?
No, they are not the same thing. A damper is a removable metal plate that is used to seal off the flue when it is not in use. The flue is the ductwork that runs through the center of the chimney and carries the exhaust gases from the fireplace to the outside.
How do I close flume?
To close flume, click on the “x” in the top right corner of the application.
How do you use a flue damper?
A flue damper is a device used to control the draft in a flue. It is usually placed at the top of the flue, where it can block the flue gas from escaping.
What are the two levers on my fireplace?
The two levers on your fireplace are the damper control and the air control. The damper control opens and closes the damper, which controls the amount of air that flows into the fireplace. The air control regulates the amount of air that flows into the fireplace.
How does a fireplace flue work?
A fireplace flue is a chimney that provides ventilation for a fire. The flue must be installed correctly in order to work properly.
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.
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.
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.
What Is a Chimney Damper?
A damper is a metal plate located in the chimney that you maneuver to manage ventilation and keep out rain and small animals. The flue is a clay or metal liner in the chimney through which smoke flows when you light a fire in your fireplace. A closed damper will restrict airflow and create a safety issue. Smoke will enter your home rather than flowing outside.
What does a damper do to a chimney?
When closed, dampers prevent warm or cool air from escaping the flue. Chimneys with damaged or improperly functioning dampers will cause substantial energy loss in your home. Most dampers have a chain or handle that you use to open and close them.
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.
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 ...
How to tell which direction a flue damper is facing?from fireplaceuniverse.com
The position of the damper handle will typically tell you in which direction the damper inside the flue is facing: Horizontal handle = horizontal damper = closed position. Vertical handle = vertical damper = open position. A flue damper doesn’t just have to be located in a vertical or horizontal position.
What does it mean when a chain is in a fireplace?from chimneyspecialistsinc.com
If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed. To open it, take the chain off the hook and let it go. You should feel the chain spring up as the damper opens.
What Is A Fireplace Damper?from fireplaceuniverse.com
A fireplace damper is a device that can be manually opened or closed with the purpose of allowing gases and other byproducts from a fireplace to be safely vented from a building when open, but to also prevent air from escaping the building when a fireplace isn’t being used.
What is a clamp on a fireplace?from fireplaceuniverse.com
A fireplace damper clamp, also known as a damper stop, clip or lock, is a device that clamps to a fireplace damper to ensure that the damper always stays in a completely open position and can’t fully close.
How do you know if your chimney damper is open?from fireplaceuniverse.com
Position yourself just outside of your fireplace and lean in under your chimney. You may be able to see an unflattering metal thing just within the opening of the chimney or flue. If you can see up through the damper to your chimney then you know that the damper is open. If you can only see a metal plate then your damper is closed.
What is the purpose of a chimney damper?from fireplaceuniverse.com
Preventing warm air or air conditioned air from being lost out of the chimney when the fireplace isn’t in use and the damper is closed. Preventing rain, animals and debris from entering the fireplace via the chimney when the damper is closed.
Why do you need a flue damper?from fireplaceuniverse.com
A flue damper should be opened all of the way when opening a stove door to add further fuel to the fire, to help prevent any smoke from pouring out of the stove and into the room.
What is a damper in a fireplace?
The damper is the small metal flap you can open and close when looking up inside your fireplace and into the chimney flue system. Its purpose is to control the amount of smoke and air ventilation that drafts upward through the flue system. You must open the damper every time you start a fire. Use the directions below to help with opening your ...
Why is my damper not opening?
For example, debris may have fallen from inside the chimney chase and is now sitting on top of the damper, weighing it down and preventing it from opening. In any case, leave us a comment below and we’ll try to help you with your damper. Also consider getting an inspection by a professional. You can use the Chimney Sweep Finder on www.ncsg.org/
Do you have to open the damper when starting a fire?
You must open the damper every time you start a fire. Use the directions below to help with opening your damper, depending on the one that matches the fireplace.
What is a flue in a fireplace?
A flue is a pipe that extends out of a fireplace to the outside of a house, to vent any waste gases, smoke and small particles from a fire that would have otherwise been released into the home.
Where are fireplace dampers located?
Fireplace dampers can typically be found at the base of a chimney, at the top or a chimney or at the base of a flue. Dampers are usually made out of metal or ceramic to allow them to withstand the heat of the fires and the resulting smoke, air and gases.
What Is A Fireplace Damper?
A fireplace damper is a device that can be manually opened or closed with the purpose of allowing gases and other byproducts from a fireplace to be safely vented from a building when open, but to also prevent air from escaping the building when a fireplace isn’t being used.
What is the purpose of a chimney damper?
Preventing warm air or air conditioned air from being lost out of the chimney when the fireplace isn’t in use and the damper is closed. Preventing rain, animals and debris from entering the fireplace via the chimney when the damper is closed.
How do you know if your chimney damper is open?
Position yourself just outside of your fireplace and lean in under your chimney. You may be able to see an unflattering metal thing just within the opening of the chimney or flue. If you can see up through the damper to your chimney then you know that the damper is open. If you can only see a metal plate then your damper is closed.
What is a dampening effect on a fireplace?
In this case, the dampening effect of a fireplace damper is to control: The flow of hot air, smoke and gases from a fire in a fireplace or stove into a chimney or flue. The flow of air down into a fireplace or stove from a chimney or flue. By controlling how open or closed a fireplace damper is you can inhibit the flow of any air, ...
Why do you need a damper for a fireplace?
The main reason you would want a fireplace damper is to help prevent the warmth from leaving your home during the winter months, especially when the central heating is on. A damper can also be useful in the summer months. A closed damper will prevent air conditioned rooms from venting the cooler air out of your home.
Why do you need to check if your fireplace damper is open?
Why? Well, an open damper will allow the smoke from the fire along with other harmful combustion byproducts to escape through the chimney and be channeled safely to the outside. An open damper also invites outside air that assists in keeping the fire alive.
Where is the damper located on a fireplace?
You can find your fireplace damper at the base of the chimney. Know that there are three main types of damper styles: Traditional dampers are located at the “throat” of the chimney, which is positioned inside the chimney’s base.
How to tell if damper is open or closed?
You can also tell if your damper is open or closed just by listening. You’d be surprised how amplified outside noises become when the damper is open. You’ll hear a whoosh of air, the passing traffic outside, and echoing from within the chimney itself.
Why does my house fill with smoke?
Your home will fill with smoke, too, because as the fire lives and breathes, there’s no place for ...
Should you check damper before starting fire?
Always Check Before You Light. Never start a fire before checking to see if the damper is open or closed. There are many ways to check to see if the damper is open or closed and after getting into the habit, it should become quite obvious. Put your safety first by taking a few moments to see the position of the damper before starting a fire ...
Is the damper on a chimney open?
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.
Can you light a fireplace just yet?
Wait, don’t light your fireplace just yet . In order to be a responsible fireplace owner, the first task you must do before enjoying a fire is checking to see if the fireplace damper is open or closed.
