QA

Quick Answer: How Does A Fireplace Flue Work

Chimneys work by removing byproduct gases, like carbon dioxide, from the air. Its function is not to remove hot air but to instead remove hot gases from the heating unit used in your home. We all think of “fireplace” when we hear “chimney,” but any heat source that burns fuel (wood, oil, gas, coal) requires a chimney.

How do I know if my fireplace flue is open or closed?

Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don’t feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.

Can you leave fireplace flue open?

The smoke from burning wood contains carbon monoxide, so in order to prevent this toxic byproduct from entering your home, it is important to leave the flue open overnight. This enables a draft to carry the compound out into the atmosphere, instead of sinking down the chimney and saturating the room.

What happens if flue is closed?

Operating the fireplace with the damper partially closed will not generate more heat. Instead, blocking the passage through the flue will result in smoke entering the home. The damper should be kept open until all embers are finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the home.

Should the damper be open all the way?

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. 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.

What is the difference between a damper and a flue?

A damper is located in the flue of your chimney. The flue is where the smoke escapes when the fire is going. Dampers are placed inside of the flue to help control ventilation.

When should you close a flue?

You should close the damper on your fireplace once the fire and embers have all burned out. This prevents warm air in your house from escaping out the chimney. You should open the damper before lighting a fire and close it once the fire is done burning.

What happens if you forget to open the flue?

Our research shows that the flue on a gas fireplace should remain open during use or when the pilot light is lit. If the flue is closed in either instance, you risk a greater chance of carbon monoxide poisoning or a spark induced structure fire due to a buildup of toxins emitted by propane or natural gas burners.

How do you tell if your chimney is blocked?

Signs of a blocked chimney and its flue liner include: An excessive smell of smoke during a fire. A white residue on the walls of the flue liner. Water leakage. Debris falling towards the base of the fireplace.

What happens if you dont open fireplace vent?

The damper is a door of sorts, that when closed, separates the firebox from the chimney. If a damper is not opened when a fire is built, smoke will back up quickly and fill the room. Guaranteed! So, you always want to check to make sure the damper is fully open when a new fire is built.

Can you use a fireplace without a damper?

Whether your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it was built with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a damper. 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.

When can I close the flue after a fire?

Close Fireplace Damper When Fire Is Completely Out. Shut the damper when the fire is completely, absolutely out. That means ashes are cool to the touch even when stirred. If you close the damper before that, you risk carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do all fireplaces have a flue?

Every wood-burning or gas fireplace has a flue. Gel and faux fireplaces do not have chimneys or flues. Chimney flues have traditionally been made from fireclay flue tile.

How do I get more heat from my fireplace?

How to Increase Heat From a Wood-Burning Fireplace Burn seasoned firewood. Open the damper as wide as possible to increase the amount of air to the fire. Clean your chimney once a year. Replace the screen in front of the fireplace with tempered glass doors, and keep the doors closed while a fire is burning.

Is it OK to go to bed with a fire in the fireplace?

You should never go to sleep while a fire is in the fireplace. It may seem safe—after all, the fire is small and controlled behind a metal grate.

What is the lever on the side of my fireplace?

What is this? The second handle you may find in your fireplace (usually located on the left inside panel) is a control lever for the outside air kit. When burning your fireplace, the outside air kit lever should always be in the open (or up) position.

Should damper be open or closed in winter?

HVAC Damper Open Or Closed In Summer/Winter In most homes, dampers going to the upstairs are open in the summer and closed in the winter. By closing the dampers to the upstairs in the winter, it allows for the heat to rise naturally after first being introduced into the lower levels of the home.

Can you vent gas fireplace into chimney?

A gas stove can be vented through an existing chimney, whether it is a manufactured or masonry chimney. To ensure proper venting, however, a liner must first be installed in the chimney. In a B-vent system, a substantial amount of heat is lost through the chimney.