First of all, the chimney pipes should be positioned so that they are as vertical as possible. It is important to go through walls or partitions with 45° bends. In addition, horizontal runs and 90° bends should be avoided at all costs, as they cause flue gases and clog the flues.
When should the damper be kept open or closed? 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.
You should find a metal device just within the chimney or flue opening. The damper is open if you can see through the damper up to your chimney. If you only see a metal plate, the damper is in a closed position.
When burning your fireplace, the outside air kit lever should always be in the open (or up) position. The outside air kit is designed to provide additional air for combustion.
A flashlight should illuminate a throat damper well enough to see if it's open or closed. For a damper at the top of the chimney, you'll have a chain that controls the device. If you can pull on the chain before it jumps back up, the damper is open. You can also start a small fire as a test.
The damper to your fireplace must be completely open when a fire is burning. If you close the damper even slightly, you risk allowing smoke and other dangerous contaminants from the combustion process into the house.
It's best to keep the flue closed when the fireplace is not in use.
Use the Damper to Control Heat
Depending on how far open or shut you have the damper, your fire will be smaller and cooler (and burn for longer), or larger and hotter (and burn more quickly). The damper is usually located at the bottom of the stove.
If you don't feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed. Another way to find out if the damper is open is to do a visual check. If your chimney has a traditional damper, all you need to do is shine a flashlight up the chimney. If you can see the sky, it is open.
The handle on the left-hand side is for your combustion air intake; think of this as a gas pedal in a car but is used for controlling the intensity of your fire.
The damper and flue are two different parts, but they are related and involved in the same function. The flue is the inside tunnel of your chimney that brings gases from your fireplace out of your home, while the damper closes or opens the access to the flue.
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.
A damper is usually placed near the end of each duct run and has three positions: closed, half-open, and fully open. The closed position blocks airflow completely, while the half-open allows only partial airflow. The fully open position allows maximum airflow out of the ductwork.
You need to open the damper when you start a fire to allow for proper airflow and let the smoke out. A closed damper can restrict airflow and become a safety issue since smoke would fill your house.
Correct damper operation
When the flue is warmed up a little, keep the damper open and light your kindling to get the logs burning. During this time, a fully open damper will provide enough draft air to allow the logs to combust properly and completely.
A lever that's pushed to the left will close the damper whereas a lever pushed to the right will open it. Some fireplace dampers are controlled by a chain found on the inside of your fireplace. If it's hooked to the side of the fireplace wall, then this probably means that the damper is closed.
Create a small fire using tinder or paper at the fireplace. If the chimney flue is open, smoke will come out of the chimney with no issues. However, if the flue isn't open, the smoke won't go through a closed flue and up the chimney.
Visually inspect
If it's too dark to properly see, then use a flashlight. If you can see up through the damper and past to your chimney's interior, then the damper is open. If you only see the metal plate that's blocking your line of sight, then the damper is closed.
Hardwood burns the slowest, produces the most intense fires, and produces hot coals that remain hot long after a fire has gone out. When hardwoods are burned in good conditions for a fire, they produce very little smoke or unhealthy particulate matter.
First, ALWAYS ensure the damper is fully open BEFORE lighting the fireplace. Otherwise, you and your home may be covered in soot and ash if the chimney back puffs. The damper has notches, so you can partially close it (throttling), like a manual stick shift in a car.
OPEN OR CLOSED? The damper should be kept closed when there is no fire or coals burning. Warm air from your home will not be lost up the chimney when the fireplace is not being used. Fully open the damper before your start a fire and keep it fully open until all embers and coals have burned out.
For fireplaces with levers, you want to free the flue from its support tab by pushing up. After it releases, keep pulling the lever away from the tab to close the flue. Once it's tight, run your hand up the chimney to make sure you don't feel any air.
In general, homeowners can expect to pay between $150 and $500 for a standard chimney damper replacement. One of the most significant factors that affect the cost of chimney damper replacement is the type of damper.
No, you should never leave a fireplace burning overnight or unattended during the day.