Fireplace Damper Open Or Closed

When you are using your fireplace it needs to be open so that smoke can vent outside.

Fireplace damper open or closed.

The damper is a vent that controls airflow in and out of the chimney. Conversely turning the key clockwise to the right the damper is closed. A closed damper can restrict airflow and become a safety issue since smoke would fill your house. Any damper that requires extra work to move is considered nonoperational and should be repaired.

Close it when it s not it use. If it s hooked to the side of the fireplace wall then this probably means that the damper is closed. A closed damper also stops cold drafts from coming down the chimney. With most dampers you can adjust the handle to where it not open as much.

The second type of damper is operated by a lever normally mounted on the right inside wall of the fireplace. A functional damper opens and closes easily just by using the handle or lever. The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. 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.

By pulling the lever toward you the damper is open. 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. The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. It blocks off the air flow when it s closed and lets air in when it s open.

The chain can be found on the inside of your fireplace. To be up to code all fireplaces must have a damper. Chimney top and throat. Fireplace dampers come in two main types.

On some zero clearance factory built fireplaces the damper is a little different than the two mentioned above. When you aren t using your fireplace it should be closed to prevent heated and cooled air in your home from escaping. A chimney damper prevents conditioned warmed or cooled house air from escaping through the flue when you re not using the fireplace. You can also tell if your damper is open or closed just by listening.

Operating the fireplace with the damper partially closed will not. By pushing it away from you the damper is closed. A chain that s dangling freely and unsecured is a telltale sign that the damper is open. A fireplace damper is a little metal flap that sits inside your flue.