An air damper setting that is wide open (no restriction) will cause the fireplace, stove, or insert to burn very hot and short as the fire is able to consume as much oxygen as it wants, therefore using all the available fuel quicker.
To get the most heat out of a wood stove, ensure proper airflow by keeping the air vents open as needed, use seasoned hardwood for burning, maintain a clean stove, and utilize a stove fan to distribute heat. Proper installation and regular maintenance are also key to maximizing efficiency.
Opening the damper wider will increase the heat output. On the other hand, if you want to take the fire down a notch or two and reduce the heat output, close the damper up a bit. It's also worth knowing that some stoves have a second damper. This is typically located in the flue or the pipe that goes up the chimney.
A wide-open damper will increase the amount of air reaching the fire and improve combustion. As a result, the fire will burn hotter. When you're not using your fireplace, be sure to close the damper to prevent indoor heat from escaping.
The closed design allows the stove to radiate heat into the room more effectively, and some stoves have built-in fans to distribute heat further. Open wood fires, while they can provide warmth, tend to generate more radiant heat that primarily warms the immediate vicinity rather than spreading throughout the room.
Using a fan to circulate heat
It's one of those immutable laws of the universe, but that doesn't mean you can't move it around. A fan sits on top of your wood burning stove and the heat from your stove will cause the fan to spin (no need to plug anything in!) and subsequently move the heat around the room.
You shall allow the wood burning to end properly
Let the air vent be open until all the fuel is completely burnt. If there are bits of charcoal left, you can keep these for the next fire. But do remove the ashes. When the stove is not in operation, close the air vents to avoid heat loss through the chimney.
By not creating an airtight seal, these dampers minimize the strain on the system. In summer, you can close the dampers downstairs so cooler air reaches upstairs rooms. But in winter, closing upstairs vents halfway allows heat to rise.
Don't shut off the air vents completely but close them right down as this will limit the amount of air that gets into the chamber so the fire will slowly die out. Once the embers in the fire start to go orange then you then it will start to die and you can sleep without worrying.
Closing your fireplace keeps your space cool.
If you keep your damper open, your air conditioner will have to work much harder to keep your space at a comfortable temperature. This can result in higher energy bills, and warm, humid air from outside can still make its way into your space.
Your woodburner relies on the pull of air through its vents or air supply, into the firebox and up the flue to keep it burning effectively. If there's a build-up of soot or creosote in your flue, this can hinder the efficiency of the stove and reduce the amount of heat that it produces.
Adequate Air Supply: Adjust the stove's air vents and consider slightly opening a window in the same room when starting the fire to introduce fresh air and help balance the pressure. Regular Chimney Maintenance: Ensure your chimney is clean and free from obstructions.
The ideal flue temperature range is typically between 300-600°F (149-316°C). Temperatures below this range can lead to creosote buildup in the chimney, while excessively high temperatures may indicate overheating or excessive draft.
Higher damper settings allow more air into the flywheel housing. The more air, the more work it takes to spin the flywheel against the air. More air also slows the flywheel down faster on the recovery, requiring more work to accelerate it on the next stroke or pull.
One common myth about chimneys is that leaving the damper open during the summer helps “air out” the chimney. However, the opposite of true. Leaving the damper open just fouls up the rest of your home, and does nothing to clean your chimney.
The damper is designed to be shut when the fireplace is not in use and can be easily opened when it is. 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.
As we've mentioned above, a stove fan can increase the efficiency of your stove and because it circulates heat for your fire you're less likely to experience cold spots in the room.
Maintain a Good Temperature
It's not true that you will get the most heat from the burner when it's roaring with fire. However, that isn't always the case. Keep the temperature between 260 and 460 degrees celsius and use a stove thermometer.
All stoves in homes built after 2008 require either an air vent or external air intake, regardless of heat output. Without it, the stove may struggle to draw sufficient air for clean, efficient burning. Even in older homes, a stove can benefit from an external air kit.