How to Control a Fireplace Damper

The damper is one of the most important components on your fireplace. It is the vent at the top of the firebox that opens to allow oxygen from outside to feed the fire and smoke to vent outside. When you aren’t using your fireplace, it prevents drafts and keeps heated/cooled air inside your house from escaping up the chimney.

While some fireplaces only allow the damper to be either fully open or fully closed, many newer fireplaces allow you to adjust the damper. Adjusting how air flows in and out of the damper can improve your fire and prevent common problems like backdrafts.

When you are burning hardwoods or damp firewood, it is a good idea to open the damper as much as possible because these woods produce more smoke. If you are using your fireplace on a windy day, you may want to have the damper partially closed so that less air can come down the chimney. A big dust of wind can put out a weak fire or make a roaring fire flare.

The best way to learn how to control your fire with the damper during different weather and with different types of wood is to experiment with it. Choose a time when few people are home so that the potential smoke won’t affect them. Then, follow these steps:

Step #1 – Light a fire.

Step #2 – Adjust the damper in different positions.

Step #3 – Observe how each position affects the fire: is the fire brighter or is it struggling?

Step #4 – Pay attention to where smoke is going: is it rising up the chimney or dispersing into the room?

Step #5 – Note how much of a draft from outside there is.

Step #6 – Repeat during different types of weather.

 

It is a good idea to write down the observations that you make during your experiments. The most important thing to record is what position the damper was in when you had the best outcomes. You will know that the damper is in a good position if all of the smoke is rising upward, there is not a significant draft and the fire is burning comfortably. If a lot of smoke it staying in the room, it is a sign that you need to open the damper more.

Make sure to close the damper whenever your fireplace is not in use! Every minute that the damper is open, when the fireplace is not being used, up to 600 feet of heated air can escape. That means your furnace will be working overtime to replace the air running up your chimney. Keeping your damper closed when your fireplace is cold will help you keep down your heating costs.

If you have problems opening or closing your fireplace’s damper, give us a call! Your damper may be rusted shut or stuck open. An experienced chimney sweep from Hudson Valley Chimney Service can help. We are trusted by thousands of residents throughout Western Connecticut and New York’s Hudson Valley because of our outstanding service.

Want to know more about how to maintain your fireplace and chimney! Check out our blog’s archive for more pro tips!