QA

Question: How To Operate A Fireplace

What are the two levers on my fireplace?

Why does mine have TWO levers? One lever opens and closes the damper, allowing the smoke to come up through the flue of the chimney, while a second lever opens and closes the air vents, allowing fresh combustion air to enter and fuel the fire.

How do you use a wood burning fireplace?

Steps for Lighting a Fire: Place kindling, newspaper, and logs on the fireplace grate. Open the damper. Open a window a few inches, to further help with the draft. Light a match and quickly blow it out, watching to see if the smoke goes up the chimney as it is supposed to.

Do you open or close damper on fireplace?

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.

How do you use a fireplace for the first time?

Here’s some quick tips: First, make sure fireplace logs are stacked on a metal grate as far back in the fireplace as possible. Use kindling instead of flammable liquids to start the fire. Open the damper before you light a fire in your fireplace, and keep the damper open until the fire is completely extinguished.

Why are there 2 switches for my gas fireplace?

May be for powering a wall recepticule. Common to find two wall switches in an electrical box. One for the fireplace and one for a recepticule in a wall outlet. Or the second switch does power the unit.

Why does my fireplace have 2 vents?

Direct vent fireplaces have two chambers. One draws fresh outdoor air into the sealed firebox for combustion, while another expels the fire’s combustion exhaust, gases, and by-products outside. The venting exits either from the top or the back of the fireplace, providing flexibility for installation.

How do you start a fire in a wood burning fireplace?

Start by placing two pieces of firewood on the grate in your fireplace. Now crumple newspaper, which is your tinder, and place it between the firewood. Place the kindling on top. Add one or two more pieces of firewood on top of the other logs, and be sure to leave enough room for air to circulate around the logs.

What do I need to know about wood burning fireplaces?

Wood Fireplace: 9 Tips for Safety and Efficiency Only Burn Dry, Cured Wood. Burn Firewood and Only Firewood! Close the Damper When Not Using Your Wood Fireplace. Keep Bifold Glass Doors Open When Burning a Fire. Have a Chimney Cap Installed. Replace a Poorly Sealing Damper to Prevent Heat Loss.

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.

When should I close my fireplace vents?

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.

How do you tell if dampers are open or closed?

If you are looking at a duct that is coming off the furnace and going straight up like it is going to the upstairs, and the wing is in the same direction as the duct, it is open. If the wing is in the opposite or vertical position to the ductwork, then the damper is closed.

Should damper be open or closed in summer?

Even if you have a chimney cap, it is a good idea to keep the damper closed in the summer. Chimney caps can become damaged creating a pathway for rainwater or pests to get into your chimney. Closing the damper will ensure that they can’t get into your home through the fireplace.

How do you break in a new fireplace?

The first three fires need to be small, starting with a fire that lasts about 20 mins and then slowly cools. The following fire can be progressively bigger, burning longer. By your fourth fire, you can use your fire pit as often as three times a day with longer burning fires.

What is the best way to use an open fireplace for heat?

18 Open Fireplace Tips To Help Improve Efficiency And Heat Output Only Burn Dry Wood. Invest In A Moisture Meter. Dry Your Own Wood Properly. Bring In The Wood Before Each Fire. Have Your Chimney Swept Periodically. Ensure That The Damper Is Fully Open Before Each Fire. Prime The Chimney To Help The Fire Get Going.

Why is there a switch next to my fireplace?

The wall switch sends an electrical signal to your fireplace to open a valve and release the gas for the pilot light to light it. Without power most fireplace valves will not open. I have a new home with gas fireplaces. Shut off the gas to that fireplace and call a professional.

Why does my gas fireplace have a switch?

Many gas fireplaces come equipped with a wall switch control panel for activating the unit and adjusting the level of the flame. Simply push the “On” button and the pilot should ignite.

What is the switch on my gas fireplace?

Using a Wall Switch to Turn On a Gas Fireplace Several gas fireplaces come with a wall switch control panel that makes it super easy to turn the unit on and off. It’s quite literally as easy as flipping a switch. Once the switch is flipped, it will send a signal to the pilot to ignite a flame.