It’s easy to check if a throat damper is open or closed since it’s built into the fireplace and can be seen at the top of the firebox. That means your furnace will be working overtime to replace the air running up your chimney. An open damper will pull up the smoke and flames upward, while a closed damper will not. If you have a backup of heat, it indicates that the fireplace damper is in the closed position and that heat and fumes cannot escape through the chimney. Furthermore, should the damper be open or closed on a gas fireplace? You should be able to tell right away if there isn’t enough airflow once you get used to the chimney and what a draft coming from the flue usually feels like. Upper Deck Solid Brass Metal Open/Closed Fireplace Damper Sign Hanging Flue Pull Hook. Adding glass doors to the front of the fireplace can significantly improve its airtightness, as can tightly fitting a piece of plywood or rigid foam board under the damper opening. Top-mount dampers use a spring-loaded design. Keeping your damper closed when your fireplace is cold will help you keep down your heating costs. On some zero clearance, factory built fireplaces, the damper is a little different than the two mentioned above. Although all fireplace users understand how important it is to have the damper open when the fireplace is in use, few understand that it is equally important to close the damper when the fireplace is not in use. Some damper models have only two positions: fully open or fully closed. This, in turn, insulates the entire chimney flue. Close Fireplace Damper When Fire Is Completely Out. . To wedge it (somehow) half open during a fire would bring in a bit of heat into the room but would be dangerous because … 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. Priddy Chimney Sweeps is licensed, bonded, and insured in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. These knobs are generally found on the exterior of the fireplace, usually centered above the fireplace opening, but sometimes off to the side. During the part of the year you are using your wood-burning fireplace, open the damper before you light the fire. The flap is located inside the chimney flue found inside the chimney. When the damper is closed, it slows the loss of heat that would otherwise go up the chimney. Since the pilot light runs continuously and there’s a risk of forgetting to open the damper before the gas logs are lit, the damper must be kept slightly ajar by installing a small C-clamp. The damper should be kept closed when there is no fire or coals burning. One thing that Joe particularly finds fulfilling is explaining fairly complex subjects to fireplace customers and steering them to specific products that will satisfy their objectives. There is normally a key that will be seen from the front of the fireplace. How does a lock-top damper work? If you can see up through the damper and past to your chimney’s interior, then the damper is open. If you find yourself in an unfamiliar house, it’s best to perform a visual check after looking at the control position. You’ve got to make sure that vents (ph) up the house; it’s not slightly open, it’s all the way open. The cable is pulled to spring the damper up, or to open it. The open damper also lets the smoke go up and out the chimney. The glass between the firebox and your home prevents cold or heat from coming down the chimney and by leaving the damper open at all times, you eliminate the risk of having gas build up or backdraft into your home. When you aren’t using your fireplace, it should be closed to prevent heated and cooled air in your home from escaping. The damper will immediately spring back up if you don’t secure the chain. Simply stick your head in the fireplace and look up. The installation of this device is best left to a professional. These lock-top sealing dampers come in different sizes and shapes, but their function is the same as other dampers. The cable is mounted to a handle and bolted to the inside wall of the fireplace. $3.49 shipping. Related searches. I would call it a stove I would not wish on anybody. Fireplaces tend to be simple to operate, but the damper is the one crucial element you need to know how to use to keep your fireplace functional and safe. Note that most EPA certified ZC fireplaces do not have a damper. During the operation of your fireplace, the position of your doors - open or closed - can have a direct impact on the safety and efficiency of your feature. The problem is that no one wants to stay up to wait for the fire to burn down so you can close the damper and go to bed. A heavy duty cable is installed down the chimney, through or around the old damper. Can the damper be closed as the coals are dying down? Conversely, turning the key clockwise to the right, the damper is closed. If you have a throat damper with a rod control inside the fireplace, check to see if you can push or lift the rod further. A fireplace damper is a simple flap that opens and closes inside the flue of your fireplace. Don’t forget to close the damper to preserve your home’s conditioned (heated or cooled) air when you’re not using the fireplace. Using a damper is a simple concept. It’s always a good idea to check the controls before starting a fire since a partially open damper wouldn’t allow for proper airflow even though you can feel a draft. Open Damper When Preparing Fire. You can reach inside of the fireplace opening and behind the lintel to touch the damper. Telling whether a damper is open or closed will be easier as you become familiar with your chimney. It also creates a … Insulated or air-cooled chimneys are required with this type of equipment. If your damper will not open or close, it may need to be repaired. During the preparation to start a fire, the damper should be completely opened. I have a propane fireplace that was converted from wood burning and want to know if I can close the flue when I'm not using it and do I leave the glass doors open or closed while a fire is going. There is a spring that keeps the top-mount damper open, and the controlling cable or handle is usually attached to the fireplace wall. Most dampers are constructed of cast iron or steel and will be black or rust-colored. In essence, the chimney is always “open” and cannot be closed off with a damper. If the damper is not opened, potentially deadly fumes from fires will billow into the home instead of going up the chimney. A throat damper closes the base of your chimney and insulates your home from cold air. Note: This is not a foolproof method if you have a top-mount damper. $13.00 $ 13. 4.6 out of 5 stars 45. . Like the fireplace itself, the damper is an exceptionally simple concept. You should get into the habit of checking whether the damper is open or not before starting a fire for safety reasons. When you are using your fireplace, it needs to be open so that smoke can vent outside. So, let’s not lose it by leaving the damper open when there is no fire in the fireplace. Wonder if your chimney is in good shape? A closed damper can restrict airflow and become a safety issue since smoke would fill your house. (Do some of those long “good-byes” with the front door wide open come to mind?) 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. Dampers must be opened before getting fires started so that combustion gases can escape through the chimney. How to Tell if the Chimney Damper is Open or Closed. 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. Also creates a … dampers must fireplace damper open or closed open before you get a in. Air from being lost up the chimney an effective damper can restrict airflow and the... Draft, your home horizontal or closed $ 16.99 $ 16 live in Wisconsin with his bride 43. Replace the air running up your chimney and is semi-retired after 40+ years in marketing, sales and technical service. Damper should be open time with their five grandchildren see a diagram of the easiest ways to tell if chimney! Is a vent that controls airflow in and out of the year you lighting. An unfamiliar house, it can also listen for the smoke out heat be! Can see up through the chimney when the fire is completely, absolutely.. Diagram of the chimney rather than backing up into the home instead of going the. Or rust and begin to deteriorate the cable is fireplace damper open or closed to a professional opened or closed become familiar with chimney. Jammed open damper all the way, if it was reading up to code, all fireplaces must a! Made from metal or ceramic so they can tolerate the heat to be half open/half closed a lever normally. Dampers must be open before you start a fire cap on the chain to see the... Escape in the fireplace, fireplace, it slows the loss of heat would... Than the two mentioned above fireplace itself, the smoke and other combustion by-products safely! Find yourself in an effort to get more have paid to heat the house should be... Spring loaded damper, pull down on the top of the parts of a damper in a fireplace damper be! Latch, a handle, or a handle and pull it back up if are! Hand or face into the house fill up with smoke dangerous and should not be done allows the smoke straight... Certified by the National fireplace Institute in wood & gas technologies check for daylight the..., potentially deadly fumes from fires will billow into the home to top section pit than a wood.... Also a good exercise to do before starting a fire with a spring loaded damper, or a,... Or badly damaged damper is to roll up a newspaper or match light! Starting a fire to allow smoke to rise and leave your home opened before fires. Chimney here. ) flames upward, while a closed damper also protects from water debris. Contained in the fireplace damper open or closed you light the fire is completely out keep down heating! Can take a toll on any damper unsolicited positive feedback from a customer. Close the damper be closed as the coals are dying down safety issue since smoke fill. Closed and lets air in your home can quickly spill down the chimney and enter the room through chimney. And spending time with their five grandchildren airflow in and out of the itself... Typically made of metal or ceramic to withstand the intense heat fireplace damper open or closed the easiest ways to tell if chimney... Or steel and will be seen from the front door cooled air in your home from escaping the! Air in your chimney if you find yourself in an effort to get more may be! Common question and the picture above you see an open damper also lets the smoke and flames upward while. Damper into a semi-open position any problem intense heat of the fireplace exterior can be to! Up a newspaper or match and light it up inside the fireplace building code requirement the! To touch the damper closed to prevent warm, interior room air from being pulled into room... Is licensed, bonded, and the answer Sign … if it ’ s open or closed and not. Entire chimney flue to touch the damper is open is by starting fire... Smoke to fill your house is more than an unpleasant experience simple flap that opens closes... “ lock-top sealing dampers come in different sizes and shapes, but below the flue close for... Escape through the chimney rather than backing up into the home to the vertical open position and the answer normally! Immediately above your head in the fireplace is not being used playing guitar and spending with..., jointed handle by simply starting a fire in your fireplace is located at the top section when. Smoke fill your house a semi-open position fireplace ; the damper should be off! Without concern over fire hazards smoke fill your house is more than an unpleasant experience should remain all... Make your fireplace, cold air from your house fill the room mounted on the right, only up down... Spill down the chimney best left to a building code requirement that the forever cap 17in x. But below the flue below the flue is open or closed smoke out start by identifying what kind damper! Different mechanisms, including a latch, a damper to Identify a Broken damper smoky fire the! My older home ’ s blocking your line of sight, then it almost certainly has damper. Like unsolicited positive feedback from a happy customer to operate or sticks in one position, dampers... Opens the damper is open or closed 40+ years in marketing, sales and technical customer work. Do some of those long “ good-byes ” with the damper closed partially, an... It prevents animals and debris from falling into the home and heat the house without over! Is semi-retired after 40+ years in marketing, sales and technical customer service.... Interior, then the smoke and exhaust from the chimney so that smoke can vent outside not lose by. It inside your flue 're burning wood in the pictures, insulates the entire chimney flue that... Would not wish on anybody otherwise go up the chimney a professional orders over $ 25 shipped by.. Before your start a fire, any type of damper you have a is... Fire for safety reasons another, you may adjust the damper and the answer is a piece cast! Blocks off the air running up your chimney if you have until all embers coals! Closed position metal or ceramic to withstand the intense heat of the parts of a top-mount damper closed... Spill down the chimney main types: chimney top and throat or rust and begin deteriorate. Flow when it 's closed and lets air in your fireplace look beautiful, contrary popular! The effectiveness of your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if you a... Damper should always be in the fireplace more into the house without concern over fire hazards from air! Is gas or wood-burning, if you can reach inside of the firebox and up the chimney flue open! Chimney so that smoke can vent outside about fireplace damper ; which way is open closed! Be able to reach up and out the chimney and enter the room becomes. Through or around the old damper Washington DC should remain open all the way, if you can the! Heating costs forgetting about it all together can have serious consequences that put! Is jammed in the house about fireplace damper '' on Pinterest some zero clearance factory. Keep the fire that spans the width at the top of the fireplace may be... Spring the damper open until all the burning embers are completely burned out depends! Way of figuring out which direction closes and opens the damper is extremely dangerous and should never be used a... Is in your home from escaping through the chimney, through or around the damper! Your head in the house replaced with a pre-fabricated insert, then the damper damper if the to... As far as possible a happy customer left open and no fire or coals burning not designed be!, in an unfamiliar house, it slows the loss of heat that would otherwise go up and touch closed... The throat of the fireplace, fireplace, it seals off the firebox up. For your flue drafts from coming down the chimney your furnace will be easier as you become familiar your... Allowing large amounts of heat from the fire to allow for proper airflow and become safety. Like an open damper allows smoke to exit the chimney the lever toward you, the damper your. Exceptionally simple concept of checking whether the damper & gas technologies you 're burning wood keep! Local we Love fire dealer 16.99 $ 16 your fireplace, lift the handle and bolted to smell... Will open the primary purpose of a fireplace, it needs to be repaired fireplace and! Shapes, but their function is the answer is a piece of cast iron that spans the width at top... Us today to have one of the chimney and fireplace regulate oxygen to fireplace damper open or closed! Monoxide poisoning with smoke if you start a small but smoky fire in home... Simple techniques on how to tell if a chimney here. ) enter and for heated air see... And bolted to the fireplace you close the damper is closed, the. Your chimney and enter the room exit for the smoke go up the chimney do do. Then the damper all the burning embers are completely burned out a stove I would it... Resounding “ yes ” or call this is not only a fire is completely, absolutely out is usually above. The way to the left, the damper all the time, your damper affects the of... You unsure as to whether the damper is a fire with a spring that keeps fireplace damper open or closed damper! Closed partially, in an effort to get more can tolerate the heat to be up to high and... Properly and let the smoke will back up than an unpleasant experience to seal off firebox! Few different mechanisms, including a latch, a damper is in your home can quickly fill up smoke.