Is a damper and flue the same thing?

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. Your damper should have a chain or handle that you can access in order to open and close it.

Does a fireplace have a damper and flue?

Dampers are present on most chimney/fireplace systems. They sit just above the firebox (where the logs are burned) and under the flue (see below) and have a handle of some kind that allows you to open and close them. Fireplace dampers are plates that control the flow of air into and away from the firebox.

Do all fireplaces have a damper?

Not all chimneys or flues have a damper. Open fireplaces can usually be found with damper located within the upper part of the firebox. It's common to find a damper as part of an open fireplace, but in some cases there may be no damper at all.

What is a damper on a fireplace?

A chimney damper prevents conditioned (warmed or cooled) house air from escaping through the flue when you're not using the fireplace. You need to open the damper when you start a fire to allow for proper airflow and let the smoke out.

Do I need a damper on my flue?

Newer models of wood stove don't typically require a damper. A damper was traditionally used on older, less efficient, models of stove to help reduce the flow of air leaving the firebox. Certified modern stoves meet stringent regulations and typically won't need a damper to perform well.

Chimneys Explained #16 - Chimney Dampers

Do all chimneys have a flue?

Technically, a flue is any open vertical space in a chimney that allows smoke to escape the home from the firebox. But because every chimney's flue must be lined, a chimney liner is usually referred to as the flue, as well. Every wood-burning or gas fireplace has a flue.

Do you need a damper in an outdoor fireplace?

Damper – a valve or plate that regulates smoke and air flow up the chimney. Indoors a damper allows you to close off the chimney when not in use and eliminate draft. Dampers are optional in outdoor fireplaces.

What happens if flue is closed?

Close it when it's not it use. 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.

Where is the fireplace damper located?

Fireplace dampers are a type of damper usually located at the base of the chimney and around its throat just above the firebox. Flue dampers, which you can find at the base of a flue. Chimney cap dampers, which are typically located at the top of a chimney.

Can I leave the flue open overnight?

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.

Can you burn a fire 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.

How do you know if the flue is open or closed?

Feeling the breeze is another method you can use to know whether you have an open or closed flue. Locate your hand inside the fireplace and wait to notice if you can feel the air flowing. When the flue is open, air will flow down the chimney.

When should I close the damper on my fireplace?

A fireplace damper should always be kept open while the fire is burning. Furthermore, keep the damper open until all the embers are completely out; since smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide can enter the house. Once the ember bed is entirely out, close the damper.

What are the 2 levers on my fireplace?

in your home are turned off when burning your fire. Also, some wood burning fireplaces have a lever to open or close the outside air vent to the fireplace. If your fireplace has this lever (usually located on the left inside panel) make sure the outside air vent is in the open (or up) position.

Do all wood burning stoves need a flue?

Luckily for those living in modern homes, you do not need a chimney to install a wood burning stove. However, it may require more work to fit one than in an existing chimney. This is because you will need to fit a twin wall flue system through the roof or wall of your building.

What is the purpose of a damper?

A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct, chimney, VAV box, air handler, or other air-handling equipment. A damper may be used to cut off central air conditioning (heating or cooling) to an unused room, or to regulate it for room-by-room temperature and climate control.

How do you close a flue damper?

Push the lever up slightly to disengage it from its support tab and then pull it away from the tab horizontally as the damper lowers into a closed position. If your fireplace has pull chains, pull the longer chain to disengage the damper and then pull the shorter chain to close the flue.

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 far should damper be open?

1. Open the fireplace damper all the way when starting a fire. 2. 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.

Does cold air come down the chimney?

When a fireplace isn't in use, cold air from outside can come down the chimney into the home, and warm interior air can escape up through the flue.

Why does smoke come out the front of my outdoor fireplace?

Too warm outside: Even fireplaces that draft great when its cold outside can be known to puff out fireplace smoke when it's slightly warmer out. The greater the temperature differential from the inside room temperature and the outdoor temp, the better the fire will draft.

How do I get more heat from my fireplace?