- PENSACOLA SHOWROOM: 7555 Highway 98 West, Suite A, Pensacola, FL 32506
- DESTIN SHOWROOM: 36054 Emerald Coast Pkwy #100, Destin, FL 32541
Fireplace dampers perform important functions when your fireplace is active and when it’s dormant. Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, would like to share some tips on using your damper correctly and getting the most out of it all year long.
There are two types of dampers:
Throat dampers, located just above the firebox, are the most common style. They feature plates that are opened away from one another or sealed together to control the draft.
These dampers go at the top of the exterior chimney and perform many of the same functions as throat dampers. They also serve as chimney tops, or chimney caps, to keep rain and debris out of the flue.
Both types of dampers are controlled by a handle or other mechanism placed near the fireplace.
In order for there to be fire, three things are needed:
Heat is supplied when your match or lighter causes kindling or the logs to become hot enough to ignite. The wood logs are your fuel. Air is everywhere, but there isn’t always enough of it to get a good, aggressive fire going in the fireplace.
This is where the damper comes in. Chimneys are designed to vent a specific fireplace size by creating a draft that pulls air into the firebox when the damper is open. With the damper only partially open, you may not get enough circulating air to get the fire burning strongly. With the damper completely closed, even if you can get a fire started, all it’s going to do is send smoke into your room.
After your fire is burning nicely, you can adjust the opening gap of the damper to reduce airflow. This will cause the logs to burn less intensely, leading to longer, controlled fires.
When your fireplace is not in use, it’s good practice to close the damper all the way. This will keep the conditioned air in your home from escaping up the chimney. It will also keep outside air from moving into your room. Along with controlling airflow, throat dampers act as a shield against naturally occurring flue odors. If you have no chimney cap, these dampers, when closed, will prevent various small animals that like to seek shelter in chimneys from getting into your house.
Top-mount dampers will also help to keep odors from escaping the flue by stopping air circulation. When tightly sealed, they keep small animals out of the chimney.
Chimney inspections, which should be scheduled once a year, will check all readily accessible areas of your chimney system, including your damper. Over the years, dampers can become rusty, caked with soot or inoperable because of wear and tear. Dysfunctional dampers should be cleaned, repaired or replaced.
Doodlebuggers is here to help you keep your chimney in excellent shape. We repair and install both types of dampers and offer a full menu of chimney sweeping, chimney inspections and chimney repairs.
When your chimney system needs attention, call the experts at Doodlebuggers first. You can also reach out with our simple contact form.
