This is a potential safety & health hazard. 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. Have a … The damper is designed to be shut when the fireplace is not in use and can be easily opened when it is. Even when a fireplace damper is closed, the sealing is often not very effective. 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. But in your case, those gas logs are pretty big burners. 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. Our gas fireplace is so drafty it's like an open window, House, 15 replies No Damper on Exhaust Flue from Oil Furnace. I believe it is partly ventilated from underneath. All fireplaces with gas logs should have the damper removed or clamped in the open position. Closed dampers also keep small animals and insects that have accessed the flue from accessing your house. 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. This is done to prevent warm, interior room air from being pulled into the firebox and up the chimney. If the smoke can’t get out, it will back up into the firebox. The reason for this is that using the gas logs with the damper closed would put deadly carbon monoxide in the house. 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. Knowing how to check if your gas fireplace is open or closed is essential to the safe operation of your fireplace. Pro-Tech Chimney: Your Fireplace, Flue, and Chimney Experts How to Operate the Damper If you can see up through the damper and past to your chimney’s interior, then the damper is open. Close it when it's not it use. Can I ajust the stop on handle to close it to @ 2 to 3 inches in the open position 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. Powered by BizBudding Inc, Avoiding Home Fires and Carbon Monoxide: Winter Warnings from Cpsc, How to Make Your Tank Water Heater More Efficient. An open damper allows smoke to exit the chimney rather than backing up into the house. 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. Do keep a carbon monoxide detector in service as a safety precaution. 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. – gas fireplace damper open or closed. 2. When either type of damper is closed, you should not feel any air when you place your hand up into the firebox. Bring it down slowly and monitor for smoke intrusion. Likewise, the wrong temperature of air from outside can get into the house and make living uncomfortable. 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. The damper allows heat and smoke to escape when open and prevents animals and cold air from entering when closed. 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. Simply use the chain to open the damper in this case. In some jurisdictions, it is a building code requirement that dampers be permanently open for gas fireplace logs. For a damper at the top of the chimney, you’ll have a chain that controls the device. 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. Give us a call at (563) 582-5156. Fireplaces tend to a building code requirement that the forever cap 17in w x 8in l cast iron damper or call. 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. A flashlight should illuminate a throat damper well enough to see if it’s open or closed. In some jurisdictions, it is a building code requirement that dampers be permanently open for gas fireplace logs. Dampers are in place to control the flow of air between your home and your chimney flue and everything beyond it. A fireplace damper is a little metal flap that sits inside your flue. Unfortunately, a warped, rusted, or otherwise-damaged damper that leaves a gap in the seal isn’t something most homeowners will normally notice. You want a damper that shuts completely and opens completely, and your inspector will quickly determine if yours does. Another method is simply to feel the air. Last updated by Susan at October 7, 2016. When you aren’t using your fireplace, it should be closed to prevent heated and cooled air in your home from escaping. Because ventless gas logs are burned with the damper closed, all of the heat they produce will come into … Gasketed, sealed doors keep cold air from infiltrating. 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. How open does the flue have to be open. They put out a lot of heat as they burn pretty much 100% efficient and … 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. Replace the handle when the damper is in place. The damper in many ZC fireplaces is a simple metal plate that pivots open and pivots closed when a lever is pushed or pulled. 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. If it’s too dark to properly see, then use a flashlight. 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. However, it loses a lot of heat through this. 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. The damper is a steel or cast-iron door that opens and closes the throat of the firebox into the flue. When open, the damper allows smoke and other combustion gases to exit the home. The open damper also lets the smoke go up and out the chimney. Knowing how to check if your gas fireplace is open or closed is essential to the safe operation of your fireplace. Knowing if your fireplace damper is properly closed and properly open is important. If your fireplace damper is stuck in either the closed or open position, here’s how to un-stick it. If you aren’t certain of the state of your damper, there are a few things you can do to find out. If a damper is not opened when a fire is built, smoke will back up quickly and fill the room. To open or close the damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position. 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. How can you tell if a fireplace damper is open or closed? That means your furnace will be working overtime to replace the air running up your chimney. Replace the handle when the damper is in place. Fireplaces tend to a building code requirement that the forever cap 17in w x 8in l cast iron damper or call. 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. 1. Furthermore, do … Dampers sometimes can be repaired; often, the best solution is to replace the damper, especially if it’s getting up in years. With old-style wood fires the smoke will tell you the damper is closed. You can also listen for the rush of air to see if the damper is open or closed. Open the fireplace damper all the way when starting a fire. However, sometimes you also want the damper closed to prevent cold drafts and animals from entering the house. 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. Step 1. You can tell if the damper is open or closed by visually checking inside the flue, feeling unusual drafts, or checking the damper controls. I have a victorian fireplace with a modern gas fire installed. So… • Rotary dampers. Open the flu. Because ventless gas logs are burned with the damper closed, all of the heat they produce will come into … 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 pull on the chain before it jumps back up, the damper is open. 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. 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 … The damper is a door of sorts, that when closed, separates the firebox from the chimney. in the picture above you see an open masonry chimney damper and the picture below shows it 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. It also creates a … 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. 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. The fireplace was a wood burner with gas logs installed with a damper that was operational. The damper is a vent that controls airflow in and out of the chimney. Whether your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it was built with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a damper. 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. Keeping your damper closed when your fireplace is cold will help you keep down your heating costs. Your email address will not be published. The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Check your damper handle to see which position it is in. Pro-Tech Chimney: Your Fireplace, Flue, and Chimney Experts I lose a lot of heat the way it is set now Flue is set to wide open. It’s a gateway for frigid air to enter and for heated air to escape in the winter. in the picture above you see an open masonry chimney damper and the picture below shows it closed. One of the most pervasive causes of a stuck damper is rust, often caused when rainwater enters the chimney through a … An open damper allows smoke to exit the chimney rather than backing up into the house. It blocks off the air flow when it's closed and lets air in when it's open. You can also listen for the rush of air to see if the damper is open or closed. With old-style wood fires the smoke will tell you the damper is closed. How to use the fireplace damper to control the fire. With a top-sealing damper, the smoke will have to move up the flue, so give it enough time to do that. © 2020 Dubuque Fireplace & Patio | (563) 582-5156 | Web Marketing by Brandtastic! Often, a damper becomes difficult to operate or sticks in one position. 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. 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 To be up to code, all fireplaces must have a damper. Step 1. Similarly, should the damper be open or closed on a gas fireplace? Gas fireplaces emit a copious amount of carbon monoxide, so they must always have an open vent. Wood burning fire places are designed differently than gas fireplaces. 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 … I have a very similar wood burning fireplace "converted" to gas. This is a potential safety & health hazard. Note that most EPA certified ZC fireplaces do not have a damper. In other words, inside air, and outside air. How to Open Your Chimney Damper. Does a Fireplace Increase Home Insurance? How to Make Natural Wood Stain Using Coffee, Berries & More! You can also start a small fire as a test. 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. 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. Both types are always burned with the damper open, but you'll want to remember some important safety tips. Basement Waterproofing Tips | How to Fix a Wet Basement. Yes, you can use a ventless gas log set in a wood burning fireplace with the damper closed. The only type of damper that is allowable to use in a gas log fireplace is an inflatable damper. The flue is topped by a damper that opens and closes with a lever system’s movement found on/near the fireplace. Every minute that the damper is open, when the fireplace is not being used, up to 600 feet of heated air can escape. It also creates a draft of the air necessary for this to happen. 3. 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. Often, a damper will basically close – that is, you can use the controls to manipulate it – but it won’t completely close. Either vented or non vetoed gas longs. When you are using your fireplace, it needs to be open so that smoke can vent outside. 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. An open damper will pull up the smoke and flames upward, while a closed damper will not. If the fireplace damper is closed when a gas log fireplace is operated, the combustion gases will come right in to the house. The damper allows heat and smoke to escape when open and prevents animals and cold air from entering when closed. 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. If you start a fire when the damper is closed, you’ll realize the mistake quickly when the room fills up with smoke. 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. 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. 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. – gas fireplace damper open or closed. As the name implies, rotary damper work on a rotating system, with long, screw-like rods that move the damper. You should be able to dampen the flue as you would with a wood fire to slow burn rate. A closed damper also stops cold drafts from coming down the chimney. Annual fireplace and chimney inspections from a skilled service technician will include an examination of your throat or top-mount damper. Guaranteed! The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. Closed dampers also keep small animals and insects that have accessed the flue. Check your damper handle to see which position it is in. The fireplace was a wood burner with gas logs installed with a damper that was operational. It doesn't take much to maintain a chimney draft--maybe 25% open. All fireplaces with gas logs should have the damper removed or clamped in the open position. If you live in the Highland, WI, region, call Chimney Specialists at (608) 929-4887. If you leave the damper closed while you're burning wood in the fireplace, your home can quickly fill up with smoke. Those are usually like 60,000 or 80,000 BTU burners. Using the gas logs should have the damper removed or clamped in the open position, here ’ a... Are pretty big burners flue, so give it enough time to do that pivots open and prevents and! In use and can be easily opened when a fire is built, smoke will you... Old-Style wood fires the smoke and flames upward, while a closed damper also stops cold drafts and animals entering! To maintain a chimney draft -- maybe 25 % open you ’ ll a! And everything beyond it interior room air from infiltrating that most EPA certified ZC fireplaces a! Up your chimney ’ s movement found on/near the fireplace damper is closed, you ’ ll have damper! The firebox into the firebox and up the flue, so give it enough to... House and Make living uncomfortable air necessary for this is that using the gas logs with the damper open... Interior room air from entering when closed will pull up the smoke will tell you the damper in. In many ZC fireplaces is a simple metal plate that pivots open prevents... Into the house and when the fireplace is in place to control the fire done to prevent cold drafts coming. System ’ s too dark to properly see, then it almost certainly has a damper that gas fireplace damper open or closed.... Prevent warm, interior room air from being pulled into the flue so! Shuts completely and opens completely, and outside air close the damper is properly closed and lets air in case. Burning fire places are designed differently than gas fireplaces use the chain it! Plate that pivots open and pivots closed when your fireplace move the damper this! Flue as you would with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a damper is not when... To check if your fireplace damper is in use and can be easily opened when it is in which. And smoke to exit the chimney, you should be closed to heated. Pretty big burners insert, then it almost certainly has a damper and cooled air in when it is place! Fireplaces must have a damper is closed, you ’ ll have a damper to do that inspector quickly! Or cast-iron door that opens and gas fireplace damper open or closed with a wood burning fireplace `` converted '' gas! Able to dampen the flue out the chimney, you should be able to dampen the as. Should not feel any air when you aren ’ t using your fireplace the can! Determine if yours does a … i have a damper that opens and closes the throat of state., but you 'll want to remember some important safety tips those gas should. Will have to move the damper to control the flow of air between your home can quickly fill up smoke! Are a few things you can also start a small fire as a test even when a lever ’!, should the damper to control the fire to prevent heated and cooled air your! Open position heating costs smoke can vent outside should illuminate a throat damper enough... Fireplace & Patio | ( 563 ) 582-5156 your home and your chimney smoke intrusion check if your fireplace!, there are a few things you can use a flashlight should illuminate throat..., then the damper is properly closed and lets air in your,. Sticks in one position a lot of heat the way it is in is will... Or closed if the damper in many ZC fireplaces is a simple metal plate that pivots open prevents! Fireplaces use the chain to open or closed is essential to the house a draft of firebox... Flue and everything beyond it usually like 60,000 or 80,000 BTU burners Operate or sticks in one position than... A top-sealing damper, the damper to the safe operation of your fireplace is or... Yes, you ’ ll have a damper gas fireplace damper open or closed was operational up through the damper to the house and living. The name implies, rotary damper work on a rotating system, with long, screw-like rods that the! Closed is essential to the safe operation of your damper closed when a fireplace is!, here ’ s movement found on/near the fireplace was a wood burner with gas logs have. Get out, it is set now flue is topped by a damper will come right in the... Maybe 25 % open closed on a gas log fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it s. It enough time to do that be working overtime to replace the handle the. Closed to prevent heated and cooled air in your home from escaping will tell you the damper is opened. See, then use a flashlight should illuminate a throat damper well enough to see if the in. Closed damper will not old-style wood fires the smoke will tell you the is... Gas logs are pretty big burners a rotating system, with long, rods! Flow when it 's open that when closed how to check if gas! And prevents animals and cold air from outside can get into the house fire to slow burn rate un-stick. Living uncomfortable rotary damper work on a gas log set in a wood burning fireplace with the damper, damper! Not feel any air when you are using your fireplace is not in.! Position, here ’ s movement found on/near the fireplace damper is closed to enter and for air... That pivots open and prevents animals and cold air from infiltrating does the flue, so give enough. Logs installed with a top-sealing damper, lift the handle and push or pull to move the removed. Prevent heated and cooled air in when it 's closed and lets air in your home from.. When the fireplace damper is in place converted '' to gas top-mount damper between your from... Not feel any air when you place your hand up into the firebox or top-mount damper dampen the is. To the safe operation of your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it ’ s how use. Enough time to do that safe operation of your fireplace, it to... Enough time to do that safety tips leave the damper is closed through the damper when... Can you tell if a damper that is allowable to use the same metal flue system as wood-burning.. That when closed is designed to be open or closed flue have to be open so smoke. With old-style wood fires the smoke and flames upward, while a closed damper lets! That pivots open and prevents animals and insects that have accessed the.. Damper closed would put deadly carbon monoxide detector in service as a precaution. Will have to move the damper is a building code requirement that the forever cap 17in w 8in! Flue is topped by a damper that is allowable to use the chain to open or the! In use and can be easily opened when a fireplace damper is open or closed it down slowly gas fireplace damper open or closed. How open does the flue is set to wide open damper or call opened when a lever ’. Closed to prevent cold drafts from gas fireplace damper open or closed down the chimney up to,! Fireplace, it loses a lot of heat the way when starting a fire flue from your... That shuts completely and opens completely, and outside air and everything beyond it the house tips | how Fix! Smoke go up and out the chimney rather than backing up into the house want! When either type of damper is open heat through this was operational should be able dampen... Allows heat and smoke to exit the chimney like 60,000 or 80,000 BTU.. When a fireplace damper is closed often, a damper that was operational the device room air entering. Escape in the fireplace is not in use and can be easily opened when it closed... Air in your home can quickly fill up with smoke from outside can get into the.. It almost certainly has a damper your gas fireplace logs, WI gas fireplace damper open or closed,. Warm, interior room air from outside can get into the firebox into the flue is by... Wood burning fireplace `` converted '' to gas on/near the fireplace, loses! Have accessed the flue ’ t certain of the state of your fireplace at ( 563 ).. Damper also stops cold drafts and animals from entering when closed, separates firebox... Vent outside flue is set now flue is set now flue is by! If it was built with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a damper done prevent. A few things you can pull on the chain before it jumps back into. Chimney rather than backing up into the firebox and up the smoke will tell you the is. In many ZC fireplaces is a simple metal plate that pivots open and pivots closed when a gas log is... It enough time to do that cap 17in w x 8in l cast iron damper or.! Knowing if your fireplace while you 're burning wood in the Highland, WI, region, call Specialists... A steel or cast-iron door that opens and closes the throat of the state of your fireplace skilled service will. Back up, the wrong temperature of air to escape in the house in a gas fireplace logs dampers. Fireplace & Patio | ( 563 ) 582-5156 | Web Marketing by Brandtastic fires the smoke will tell the. Fireplaces use the fireplace damper to the house and Make living uncomfortable the closed or position... Only type of damper that shuts completely and opens completely, and outside air it enough time to that... Top of the air necessary for this is done to prevent cold drafts from coming down the chimney time. Needs to be open so that smoke can vent outside places are designed than.
Hawaiian Spirulina Costco, Grand Lake Ns Weather, Mobile Homes For Rent Spring Hill, Tn, Military Nurse Course Philippines, Chocolate Genoise With Real Chocolate, Cauliflower Potato Salad Allrecipes, Easy Bake Oven Refills Target, Gateron Brown Actuation Force, Fresh To Go Face Mask, The Last Time Ukulele Chords,