Fireplace damper how does it work

The burn rate increases too requiring more wood to fuel the fire. However, partially closing the damper will reduce the oxygen level in the chimney.

This will reduce the burn rate resulting in a longer fire. It will also create a downdraft that will force the heated air back into the fireplace, thus increasing its efficiency.

And your space will feel warmer too without having to wear a sweater. The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace. Never close the damper or leave the fireplace unattended while there is a fire in the fireplace. This is not only a fire hazard, it can also cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Close the damper when the fire is extinguished. This will prevent the heated air from escaping through the chimney and will keep water and other debris out of the flue. 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. The plate must be free of leaves, animals , bricks, mortar, soot, and creosote to operate safely and efficiently. Damaged dampers are a safety matter. You should never use fireplaces with broken mechanisms until you hire a professional to repair them.

Like the rest of your hearth and chimney, annual chimney damper maintenance is a must. The repair cost depends on the severity of the issue. Knowing how to keep your fireplace damper open or closed is an integral part of safely and successfully operating your fireplace. Dampers are so important because they help start and control fires, release toxic smoke to the outdoors, and prevent indoor air from escaping and outdoor air from entering.

With the various types and styles, the novice fireplace operator can easily be confused about how their specific type works. But if you follow the directions provided in this blog post closely, we guarantee that you will adequately understand chimney damper operation. What is a Chimney Damper? Types of Dampers. Throat: These are the traditional types often found in masonry systems. Poker: Also known as vestals, this type is shaped similar to a banana and has fishbone-like grooves that hold it in place.

To close it, pull the handle down until you hear a thud sound. Rotary: This type opens by way of rotating a key-like component on the side of the fireplace. Rotate the key left or right to open and close it.

Pivot: Pivot is a slightly more complex version of the poker handle. It opens and closes identical to the poker, except you push or pull the handle back and forth with the notches. The best way to learn how to control your fire with the damper during different weather and with different types of wood is to experiment with it. Then, follow these steps:. Step 4 — Pay attention to where smoke is going : is it rising up the chimney or dispersing into the room?

It is a good idea to write down the observations that you make during your experiments. The most important thing to record is what position the damper was in when you had the best outcomes. You will know that the damper is in a good position if all of the smoke is rising upward, there is not a significant draft and the fire is burning comfortably. Other throat dampers can also be opened and closed by moving a lever to the left or right.

A lever pushed to the left will mean a damper that is closed, while a lever pushed to the right will signify an open damper.

If you have a damper located at the top of your chimney, known as a top-mounted damper, you should have a chain on the inside side of your fireplace. A chain that is hooked onto the side of the fireplace wall surround is usually a sign that the damper is closed. A chain that is hanging freely and not hooked to anything is a sign that the damper on the top of your chimney is open.

Simply place your hand at the top of the inside of your fireplace. Can you feel a draft? You can also take a match or rolled up newspaper and light it, and place it near the inside top of your fireplace. In my living room fireplace I can hear the sound of the air moving within the chimney, as well as noises from the cars driving past outside.

A chimney sweep will be able to confirm whether your chimney has a damper or not, and how to open or close it. Check to see if your damper is already open by following the steps above. If you have a traditional damper located within the throat of your chimney , find the controls to your damper by looking under the top of your fireplace.

You may have a lever of handle that is forward operating or sideways operating, or a screw-type handle. For a handle with latch control, lift the handle and push it away from you as far as possible to fully open the damper. Drop the handle back down in the latch to prevent the damper from closing again. To close the damper, simply reverse the process; lift the hand and pull it towards you as far as it will go.

Other dampers will work in reverse; pulling the lever towards you open the damper, while pushing it back into the fireplace will close it. Some dampers have a lever handle that operates sideways to open and close the damper rather than forwards and backwards. The video below shows how a damper level can be moved to the right to open and to the left to close:.

For a rotary style screw control, turn the screw handle clockwise to open the damper, and turn it counterclockwise to close the damper. If you have a top-mounted damper , find the chain hooked on the side of your fireplace and unhook it. The chain should spring up as the damper opens, and you should start to feel a draft. To close the damper, put the chain back down and place it back onto the hook, making sure not to let the chain move up allowing the damper to open again.

You should consult your local chimney sweep before starting any fires in your fireplace. This section is on how to use a flue damper associated with fireplace stoves and flues. A flue damper is usually found just above the fireplace stove, at the base of the flue, but may be located further up the flue. A flue damper needs to be manually operated to open or close, and so there will always be a set of controls located on the flue operate the damper.

By closing the damper, you are preventing the majority of air passing through that point inside the flue, in either direction. A flue damper handle located on the outside of the flue will typically be in line with the damper itself located inside the flue. If your flue is going straight up vertically, a handle that is horizontal typically means that the damper is also horizontal, and therefore in the closed position.

If the handle is in a vertical position then this typically means that the damper is also in a vertical position, and therefore open.

It can be confusing as to whether a damper can be opened or closed by turning it to the left or right.