Do You Know How to Properly Use Your Damper?
Do you know how to properly use your damper? Do you know what a damper is? Each time you use your fireplace; you open a damper when a fire is lit and close it when it is out. If you are like most people, you don’t think any more of it. You should. Understanding and mastering damper control will lead to a better, hotter fire. It can also lead to lower power bills in colder months. Let’s take a closer look at properly using a damper.
Understanding the Damper
A fireplace damper, also known as a chimney damper, isn’t complicated. It is a lid that opens and shuts to release or keep the air in. It may be at the base of the chimney or its apex. There are a few kinds of chimney dampers:
Rotary Dampers
A rotary damper looks like a screw you crank open. Rotary dampers can sometimes be an issue because they can bend over time and become more complicated to use. If that occurs, a professional chimney sweep service must change your damper.
Poker Dampers
A poker damper is a round metal damper that regulates airflow and controls the heat of a fire. It can rotate to open, partially close, or fully close the chimney’s flue. It derives its name from its shape and has a metal rod (like a poker) running through the flue with a handle on the outside. You twist or rotate the rod to adjust the damper’s position.
Double Pivot Dampers
A double pivot damper is similar to the poker damper but lacks a separate ratchet to place the handle into. The notches are in the handle and in the frame. This sort of handle holds open the damper.
Top Mounted and Traditional Dampers
Two dampers exist: one at the top of the flue and one at the bottom. The damper at the bottom of the chimney is also known as a traditional damper. The throat damper is located in the firebox. Once a throat damper is closed, it shuts your home off from the outdoors but won’t close off the flue. In contrast, a top-mounted damper is affixed near the top of the flue and shuts off the whole flue from the outdoors when it is shut, holding heated air inside your chimney. It also resists water damage and holds wildlife at bay.
When Should the Damper be Closed?
To answer this question, you need to know the type of fireplace you have. If your fireplace burns gas, you must leave the damper open to let gas escape. If your fireplace needs the damper to be open while in use, only slightly open, it will allow the fire to to burn longer while letting smoke and toxic gases escape. Remember, when you have a wood-burning fireplace, you should have a carbon monoxide detector about fifteen feet away from the fireplace. A carbon monoxide detector alerts you when your flue isn’t open enough, and carbon monoxide is being forced back into your house. Carbon monoxide is often deadly because it is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas.
When Should the Damper Be Open or Shut?
It’s not complicated: the damper on your wood-burning fireplace should be left open until all the embers are out, but not shutting it overnight is inefficient. Frigid air will descend on your flue and make your house chilly, driving up heating costs.
How Can I Tell If My Damper is Damaged?
If you think that your damper is not working correctly, that means it won’t perform at optimum levels. If you have a damaged damper, you should contact a professional, qualified chimney sweep service to look it over. Once the inspection is finished, the chimney sweeps will explain the repair or replacement costs. You shouldn’t try to repair the damper yourself; if you do, you can install it the wrong way. A damper that isn’t installed correctly will let out hot air and elements like rain, snow, and cold air. There is also a possibility that wildlife will make it their home with an open damper. It may also interfere with the draft.
Let Us Fix Your Damper
If you suspect your damper is damaged or installed incorrectly or want advice, contact us today. One of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will gladly discuss it with you. Don’t let a damaged damper run up your electric bill; get in touch now.