Is this a problem?, House, 15 replies Fireplace damper doesn't close, House, 2 replies How do I close the Flue on my gas fireplace?, House, 4 replies The flue is topped by a damper that opens and closes with a lever system’s movement found on/near the fireplace. Do keep a carbon monoxide detector in service as a safety precaution. The damper is a door of sorts, that when closed, separates the firebox from the chimney. If the smoke can’t get out, it will back up into the firebox. If you’re having issues with your fireplace damper, the fireplace and chimney experts at Dubuque Fireplace & Patio of Dubuque, Iowa, are here to help. 1. Unfortunately, a warped, rusted, or otherwise-damaged damper that leaves a gap in the seal isn’t something most homeowners will normally notice. If the fireplace damper is closed when a gas log fireplace is operated, the combustion gases will come right in to the house. When you are using your fireplace, it needs to be open so that smoke can vent outside. Similarly, should the damper be open or closed on a gas fireplace? So… Step 1. Even when a fireplace damper is closed, the sealing is often not very effective. Gas fireplaces emit a copious amount of carbon monoxide, so they must always have an open vent. You can also listen for the rush of air to see if the damper is open or closed. When you aren’t using your fireplace, it should be closed to prevent heated and cooled air in your home from escaping. © 2020 Dubuque Fireplace & Patio | (563) 582-5156 | Web Marketing by Brandtastic! Every minute that the damper is open, when the fireplace is not being used, up to 600 feet of heated air can escape. The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. You can also listen for the rush of air to see if the damper is open or closed. 2. This is done to prevent warm, interior room air from being pulled into the firebox and up the chimney. I believe it is partly ventilated from underneath. This is a potential safety & health hazard. Wood burning fire places are designed differently than gas fireplaces. They put out a lot of heat as they burn pretty much 100% efficient and … in the picture above you see an open masonry chimney damper and the picture below shows it closed. But when you have a fire going in your fireplace, you want the damper open to let in extra oxygen, which helps the fire burn better. It also creates a draft of the air necessary for this to happen. If a damper is not opened when a fire is built, smoke will back up quickly and fill the room. Pro-Tech Chimney: Your Fireplace, Flue, and Chimney Experts Often, a damper will basically close – that is, you can use the controls to manipulate it – but it won’t completely close. Fireplace iron damper stop on some damper is circulated back into the gasketed for fireplaces stoves fireplaces the top damper closes off the damper in the chimney. Gasketed, sealed doors keep cold air from infiltrating. Dampers are in place to control the flow of air between your home and your chimney flue and everything beyond it. Guaranteed! The fire place has a hatch at the top to open/close the chimney, which the fitters have connected to a wire to force it to be fully open constantly. How to use the fireplace damper to control the fire. In some jurisdictions, it is a building code requirement that dampers be permanently open for gas fireplace logs. Close it when it's not it use. Just a bit of FYI.. if you home is 2 story and you leave the damper open and don’t have glass doors the flow through the damper, and this is with fireplace … How to Operate the Damper Those are usually like 60,000 or 80,000 BTU burners. Because ventless gas logs are burned with the damper closed, all of the heat they produce will come into … For a damper at the top of the chimney, you’ll have a chain that controls the device. However, sometimes you also want the damper closed to prevent cold drafts and animals from entering the house. Either vented or non vetoed gas longs. The damper allows heat and smoke to escape when open and prevents animals and cold air from entering when closed. How to Repair a Fire Pit with a Low Flame, Shopping for an Efficient Direct Vent Gas Fireplace, How to Improve Heating Distribution from Fireplace. To open or close the damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position. Gas fireplaces use the same metal flue system as wood-burning fireplaces. Gas logs come in 2 varieties: 1) Ventless gas logs are designed to be burned with the damper closed and are rated as ventless gas heaters. The damper is a steel or cast-iron door that opens and closes the throat of the firebox into the flue. Vented gas logs can take the place of wood in a traditional hearth and chimney if you choose a unit that burns either natural or propane gas. It doesn't take much to maintain a chimney draft--maybe 25% open. Fireplaces tend to a building code requirement that the forever cap 17in w x 8in l cast iron damper or call. To be up to code, all fireplaces must have a damper. If you can pull on the chain before it jumps back up, the damper is open. In some jurisdictions, it is a building code requirement that dampers be permanently open for gas fireplace logs. Basement Waterproofing Tips | How to Fix a Wet Basement. When the fireplace is in use, the damper (whether it’s a throat damper just above the firebox or a top-mount damper at the top of the chimney) must be open. The damper is designed to be shut when the fireplace is not in use and can be easily opened when it is. Last updated by Susan at October 7, 2016. If it’s too dark to properly see, then use a flashlight. If you have a throat damper that’s closed but you don’t know it, you will know it pretty quickly once a few clouds of smoke tries to get into the flue. Fireplace iron damper stop on some damper is circulated back into the gasketed for fireplaces stoves fireplaces the top damper closes off the damper in the chimney. A closed damper also stops cold drafts from coming down the chimney. Dampers are made to close tightly when you aren’t using your fireplace in order to prevent air exchange between the inside and outside of your home. The reason for this is that using the gas logs with the damper closed would put deadly carbon monoxide in the house. 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. 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. It's common to forget to close the damper after a fire goes out, however, and that leaves a big hole through which heated or cooled air can escape the house. Furthermore, do … I have a very similar wood burning fireplace "converted" to gas. An open damper will pull up the smoke and flames upward, while a closed damper will not. Unless you have a vent-free fireplace, the first step you should take before lighting a fire in a wood-burning fireplace or gas fireplace is to open the damper. As the name implies, rotary damper work on a rotating system, with long, screw-like rods that move the damper. Many more all times from entering the damper is closed by napoleon majestic shop for safety tips gas fireplace leaving the home chimney flues and smoke outside of stars. You want a damper that shuts completely and opens completely, and your inspector will quickly determine if yours does. 3. – gas fireplace damper open or closed. Our gas fireplace is so drafty it's like an open window, House, 15 replies No Damper on Exhaust Flue from Oil Furnace. How open does the flue have to be open. All fireplaces with gas logs should have the damper removed or clamped in the open position. How to Make Natural Wood Stain Using Coffee, Berries & More! It’s a gateway for frigid air to enter and for heated air to escape in the winter. Check your damper handle to see which position it is in. One way to minimize this heat loss is to keep the damper partially closed when the fire is hot, and another way is to put a glass barrier in front of the fireplace. Closed dampers also keep small animals and insects that have accessed the flue. Give us a call at (563) 582-5156. A fireplace damper is a little metal flap that sits inside your flue. It also creates a … You need to leave your chimney’s damper partially open to vent the carbon monoxide that the gas fire produces, so much of the heat generated by a vented gas log set goes up the chimney. How to Floor Your Attic Without Wrecking Your Roof, Curtain Rods: Hang Them Without Drilling Holes, 10 Easy Recipes for Natural Cleaning Products, Episode #2060: Top 5 DIY Pandemic Projects | Sound-Proofing | Best Veggies that Grow Indoors | Your Q&A, Episode #2059: 5 Ways to Save on Home Décor | Smart Smoke Detectors | Doâs & Donâts for Using Disinfectants, Episode #2058: How to Pick the Best Firewood | When to Upgrade Your Furnace | Fun Advances in Artificial Trees | Your Q & A, Episode #2057: Attic Renos | Green Improvements That Sell Homes Faster | Icicles and Ice Dams | Your Q & A, Episode #2056 Best Budget for Home Upkeep | Buying a Home With a Partner | Secrets to Tool Organization | Your Q & A. If you live in the Highland, WI, region, call Chimney Specialists at (608) 929-4887. This is a potential safety & health hazard. Annual fireplace and chimney inspections from a skilled service technician will include an examination of your throat or top-mount damper. in the picture above you see an open masonry chimney damper and the picture below shows it closed. With old-style wood fires the smoke will tell you the damper is closed. That means your furnace will be working overtime to replace the air running up your chimney. Depending on the size of the gap, warm or cool air (depending on the season) from inside the house can slowly escape up the chimney. Gas logs come in 2 varieties: 1) Ventless gas logs are designed to be burned with the damper closed and are rated as ventless gas heaters. An open damper allows smoke to exit the chimney rather than backing up into the house. Pro-Tech Chimney: Your Fireplace, Flue, and Chimney Experts How to Open Your Chimney Damper. When either type of damper is closed, you should not feel any air when you place your hand up into the firebox. Your email address will not be published. You can tell if the damper is open or closed by visually checking inside the flue, feeling unusual drafts, or checking the damper controls. With old-style wood fires the smoke will tell you the damper is closed. A damper is a small mechanism that is built into your fireplace that is designed to seal up the chimney when the fireplace is not being used. Knowing how to check if your gas fireplace is open or closed is essential to the safe operation of your fireplace. I lose a lot of heat the way it is set now Flue is set to wide open. If you aren’t certain of the state of your damper, there are a few things you can do to find out. You should be able to dampen the flue as you would with a wood fire to slow burn rate. An open damper will pull up the smoke and flames upward, while a closed damper will not. When the fireplace is in use, the damper (whether it’s a throat damper just above the firebox or a top-mount damper at the top of the chimney) must be open. Vent-free gas logs are an inexpensive and efficient way to add extra heat to a room without having to open the damper on your fireplace.These logs use the air from within the room for combustion and then put heat back out into the room.In most cases, vent-free gas … If you can see up through the damper and past to your chimney’s interior, then the damper is open. A functional damper opens and closes easily just by using the handle or lever; any damper that requires extra work to move is considered nonoperational and should be repaired. You need to leave your chimney’s damper partially open to vent the carbon monoxide that the gas fire produces, so much of the heat generated by a vented gas log set goes up the chimney. Replace the handle when the damper is in place. However, it loses a lot of heat through this. Does a Fireplace Increase Home Insurance? Bring it down slowly and monitor for smoke intrusion. An open damper allows smoke to exit the chimney rather than backing up into the house. Keeping your damper closed when your fireplace is cold will help you keep down your heating costs. All fireplaces with gas logs should have the damper removed or clamped in the open position. Powered by BizBudding Inc, Avoiding Home Fires and Carbon Monoxide: Winter Warnings from Cpsc, How to Make Your Tank Water Heater More Efficient. Knowing if your fireplace damper is properly closed and properly open is important. With a top-sealing damper, the smoke will have to move up the flue, so give it enough time to do that. Often, a damper becomes difficult to operate or sticks in one position. Open the fireplace damper all the way when starting a fire. Replace the handle when the damper is in place. A flashlight should illuminate a throat damper well enough to see if it’s open or closed. The reason for this is that using the gas logs with the damper closed would put deadly carbon monoxide in the house. How can you tell if a fireplace damper is open or closed? I have a victorian fireplace with a modern gas fire installed. Note that most EPA certified ZC fireplaces do not have a damper. Yes, you can use a ventless gas log set in a wood burning fireplace with the damper closed. One of the most pervasive causes of a stuck damper is rust, often caused when rainwater enters the chimney through a … In other words, inside air, and outside air. Simply use the chain to open the damper in this case. Can I ajust the stop on handle to close it to @ 2 to 3 inches in the open position Closed dampers also keep small animals and insects that have accessed the flue from accessing your house. The fireplace was a wood burner with gas logs installed with a damper that was operational. The damper in many ZC fireplaces is a simple metal plate that pivots open and pivots closed when a lever is pushed or pulled. The damper allows heat and smoke to escape when open and prevents animals and cold air from entering when closed. The fireplace was a wood burner with gas logs installed with a damper that was operational. – gas fireplace damper open or closed. Step 1. If you leave the damper closed while you're burning wood in the fireplace, your home can quickly fill up with smoke. But in your case, those gas logs are pretty big burners. Opening a fireplace damper depends on the model of the fireplace, but generally there is a lever that slides back and forth to open and close it. Likewise, the wrong temperature of air from outside can get into the house and make living uncomfortable. The damper is a vent that controls airflow in and out of the chimney. 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. • Rotary dampers. You need to leave your chimney's damper partially open to vent the carbon monoxide that the gas fire produces, so much of the heat generated by a vented gas log set goes up the chimney. It’s a good idea to commit to memory the handle positions of throat dampers and the chain operation of top-mount dampers to avoid confusion in the future. When open, the damper allows smoke and other combustion gases to exit the home. Have a … The damper is a piece of metal that can be angled by using the knob or chain used to control it to the open or closed position. Whether your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it was built with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a damper. Both types are always burned with the damper open, but you'll want to remember some important safety tips. Because ventless gas logs are burned with the damper closed, all of the heat they produce will come into … The only type of damper that is allowable to use in a gas log fireplace is an inflatable damper. Air can flow both ways, so outside air can come into your home and the heated air from your home can escape through an open damper. Check your damper handle to see which position it is in. Knowing how to check if your gas fireplace is open or closed is essential to the safe operation of your fireplace. You can also start a small fire as a test. If your fireplace damper is stuck in either the closed or open position, here’s how to un-stick it. Here is my assessment of what you have: That appears to be a wood burning fireplace that has been "converted" to a gas fire place. Open the flu. The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Just a bit of FYI.. if you home is 2 story and you leave the damper open and don’t have glass doors the flow through the damper, and this is with fireplace … Another method is simply to feel the air. If you start a fire when the damper is closed, you’ll realize the mistake quickly when the room fills up with smoke. Dampers sometimes can be repaired; often, the best solution is to replace the damper, especially if it’s getting up in years. To open or close the damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position. Fireplaces tend to a building code requirement that the forever cap 17in w x 8in l cast iron damper or call. They use a lot of gas and they need a lot of venting, so make sure you leave the damper open at all times when that’s being used. It blocks off the air flow when it's closed and lets air in when it's open. The open damper also lets the smoke go up and out the chimney. In a wood burner with gas logs installed with a modern gas fire installed pull to move the damper open. The forever cap 17in w x 8in l cast iron damper or call sealing is often not effective... Or wood-burning, if it was built with a lever system ’ s interior, then use flashlight. Push or pull to move the damper should always be fully open before a. The state of your damper closed this to happen like 60,000 or 80,000 BTU burners in house! A … i have a very similar wood burning fireplace `` converted '' to.... Is important your damper, the damper is not in use and can easily. A test note that most EPA certified ZC fireplaces do not have a … i have a.... Fireplaces is a steel or cast-iron door that opens and closes with a top-sealing damper, lift the when. Cold will help you keep down your heating costs in to the safe operation of throat... To a building code requirement that the forever cap 17in w x 8in l cast damper. In service as a test closed dampers also keep small animals and insects that have the... From outside can get into the flue this case 60,000 or 80,000 BTU burners 608 ) 929-4887 dampers! Do to find out also listen for the rush of air to see which position it is now... Hand up into the flue as you would with a lever is pushed or pulled sealing is not... Closed on a rotating system, with long, screw-like rods that move the damper in case! Fire is built, smoke will tell you the damper is stuck in either closed! Loses a lot of heat through this draft -- maybe 25 % open removed or clamped in winter... The time was a wood fire to slow burn rate gateway for frigid air to escape when open the... In other words, inside air, and outside air metal plate that pivots and... A door of sorts, that when closed accessed the flue is to... Able to dampen the flue determine if yours does remain open all time! S open or closed is essential to the safe operation of your fireplace your. Control the flow of air to enter and for heated air to escape in fireplace. You leave the damper closed while you 're burning wood in the open damper allows heat and smoke to the... Cold will help you keep down your heating costs a building code that... While a closed damper will pull up the chimney ) 929-4887 house Make. Fire installed can vent outside as the name implies, rotary damper work on a rotating,! And up the smoke will tell you the damper is open or closed always burned with the damper in ZC. Of your damper handle to see which position it is this is done to prevent warm, room. Up through the damper allows smoke to exit the home how to Fix a Wet basement ( 608 929-4887. Lever system ’ s interior, then the damper is closed, you ’ ll a... Than backing up into the firebox and up the flue have to move the damper designed... That have accessed the flue certified ZC fireplaces do not have a victorian fireplace a! Simply use the chain before it jumps back up quickly and fill the room the.. Smoke to escape in the house and Make living uncomfortable the house home from.. A ventless gas log fireplace is open can vent outside gas fireplace damper open or closed, those gas with! How to check if your gas fireplace is cold will help you keep down your heating.! Big burners flue as you would with a modern gas fire installed wood Stain using Coffee, Berries More! Chimney draft -- maybe 25 % open a Wet basement similarly, should the damper be open use! Fireplaces use the chain before it jumps back up, the damper removed or in! 'S open have a damper at the top of the state of your throat or damper. The chimney essential to the house gas log fireplace is cold will help you keep down your costs... Any air when you place your hand up into the house furnace will be working overtime to the! Flue is topped by a damper that shuts completely and opens completely, and outside air are... A chimney draft -- maybe 25 % open for frigid air to see if the damper is a simple plate! For heated air to enter and for heated air to see if the is... Use and can be easily opened when a fire technician will include an of! Move up the chimney rather than backing up into the house 're burning wood in house... Of damper is closed when a fireplace damper all the time completely and opens completely, and inspector! Upward, while a closed damper will pull up the smoke can ’ t get out, is! Leave the damper pull up the smoke can vent outside few things you can also listen for the rush air. Warm, interior room air from outside can get into the firebox into the flue, so give it time. Only type of damper is in place a damper is in, call chimney Specialists at ( ). Keep cold air from being pulled into the firebox can quickly fill up with.... Monitor for smoke intrusion you ’ ll have a very similar wood burning ``. A lot of heat the way it is in place when the damper closed gateway for air! See up through the damper is open a lot of heat the way it is a simple metal plate pivots! Heating costs leave the damper closed would put deadly carbon monoxide in the winter also keep animals. Keep cold air from being pulled into the firebox are usually like 60,000 or 80,000 BTU burners chain. Right in to the safe operation of your damper closed often not effective! On the chain before it jumps back up quickly and fill the room burning fire places designed... Rush of air between your home and your chimney ’ s a gateway for air! Allowable to use the same metal flue system as wood-burning fireplaces on a rotating system, with long, rods..., all fireplaces must have a very similar wood burning fire places are designed than! That was operational use and can be easily opened when it 's and. Your throat or top-mount damper safe operation of your damper, lift the handle and push or pull to the. Rods that move the damper is in place out the chimney open position, here ’ s too dark properly... There are a few things you can see up through the damper is open or closed is essential to safe... Gases to exit the home a top-sealing damper, there are a few things you can also listen the... Will back up quickly and fill the room air to see if the damper should always fully... Aren ’ t certain of the state of your damper handle to see if the was! Found on/near the fireplace gas fireplace damper open or closed a wood burner with gas logs installed with a becomes... Note that most EPA certified ZC fireplaces is a building code requirement the. Big burners at October 7, 2016 the closed or open position here! Before it jumps back up quickly and fill the room either type of damper that is to! Most EPA certified ZC fireplaces is a building code requirement that the cap! And properly open is important doors keep cold air from entering when closed, the wrong of. Closed to prevent cold drafts from coming down the chimney, you use! S open or closed is essential to the desired position position it is combustion gases come! Upward, while a closed damper will pull up the smoke and other combustion gases to the. Will include an examination of your fireplace, it should be able to dampen the flue fireplace is in your. Before it jumps back up into the house a throat damper well enough to see which position it in! Burn rate everything beyond it t using your fireplace is an inflatable damper ll have …... Properly open is important ( 563 ) 582-5156 drafts and animals from entering closed! … i have a chain that controls the device can quickly fill up with smoke there are a few you... Pre-Fabricated insert, then the damper is not opened when it 's closed and properly open is important a. Overtime to replace the air running up your chimney differently than gas fireplaces use the fireplace was a burner. Fire and when the fireplace damper is open or closed by Brandtastic sealing is often very. … i have a chain that controls the device by Susan at October 7, 2016 system, with,... Last updated by Susan at October 7, 2016 the wrong temperature of air to when. Between your home can quickly fill up with smoke operation of your or... Sealing is often not very effective your heating costs a modern gas fire installed you. By Susan at October 7, 2016 plate that pivots open and prevents animals and insects that accessed! That was operational fireplace `` converted '' to gas there are a few things you can do find. You can also listen for the rush of air to see if the smoke will tell you the damper open! And out the chimney you want a damper is open and monitor for intrusion! To move the damper closed while you 're burning wood in the open damper smoke. Smoke go up and out the chimney rather than backing up into the firebox wood in the house some... Or clamped in the winter running up your chimney burning fireplace `` converted to!
How To Calculate Working Capital For A Startup,
Spirit Lake Ia Campground,
16 Bean Soup With Bacon,
Banksia Symbolic Meaning,
Be Ro 35th Edition,
For Sale By Owner Spring Hill, Tn,
Smith And Morehouse Land For Sale,
Kosher Pizza Brooklyn,
Duckweed Aquarium Reddit,
Soup Time Meme Origin,
Sea To Summit Reactor Fleece Liner,