Can You Close Flue Gas Fireplace?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you close flue gas fireplace? As a general rule, if you have a gas log fireplace,

you should never close your flue when in operation

. If the fireplace is not operating, but the pilot light is lit, you should not close your flue.

Can you partially close the flue on a gas fireplace?


No. The damper must be in the fully open position when using a wood-burning fireplace

. Partially closing the flue (chimney) damper can cause smoke to spill into the room when burning wood, or cause carbon monoxide (CO) to come into the room when using gas logs.

What happens if fireplace flue is closed?

If the chimney flue is open, smoke will come out of the chimney with no issues. However, if the flue isn’t open,

the smoke won’t go through a closed flue and up the chimney

. Instead, it’ll force its way into your home, filling the room with smoke.

Do I need to open flue when using a gas fireplace?


You need to leave your chimney’s damper partially open to vent the carbon monoxide that the gas fire produces

, so much of the heat generated by a vented gas log set goes up the chimney.

When can you close a fireplace flue?

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.

How do you block a flue on a gas fire?

Can you leave 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 close the damper when pilot is on gas fireplace?

If you have installed gas logs in your fireplace,

the damper should never be closed

. If you have a pilot light constantly burning under your gas logs, shutting the damper puts you, your family and your pets at severe risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

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.

Do gas fireplaces have dampers?


Traditional wood or gas fireplaces have one of two types of dampers

. Throat dampers are installed at the base of the chimney, over the firebox — the main chamber where the fire burns. They’re usually opened by a handle, a crank or a chain located inside the fireplace.

Should flue be open or closed?


The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use

. 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.

Should the damper be open on a gas fireplace?


The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time

. The glass between the firebox and your home prevents cold or heat from coming down the chimney and by leaving the damper open at all times, you eliminate the risk of having gas build up or backdraft into your home.

How do you close a flue damper?

If there’s a lever,

move it side to side or up and down to release it before sliding it horizontally

. This motion will cause the damper to slowly lower in to the closed position, so the lever will remain loose. For pull chains, pull the longer one to extricate the damper and the shorter to close the flue.

Should you keep fireplace flue closed?

It is important to keep the damper closed

when no fire is burning

, especially when the weather is cold, because the chimney will pull that warm air out of the house.

Should I close my fireplace flue in the 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.

Can I leave my gas fireplace on all night?

An overall rule for safe gas fireplace usage is to

not let your fireplace—no matter which style—operate throughout the night

. Unmonitored gas fireplaces can lead to dangerous, often fatal, outcomes. The two most concerning outcomes of leaving a gas fireplace on for too long are a house fire or a gas leak.

How do you block a flue?

How do you seal a fireplace when not in use?

You can seal off an unused fireplace by

installing wood or light-gauge metal framing, insulation and drywall over the entire wall or opening

. If you intend on using it in the future, install an insert constructed out of 2′′ rigid foam board glued to MDF. Seal around the insert using neoprene backer rod insulation.

How do you close the damper on a gas fireplace?

To open or close the damper,

lift the handle and push or pull to move the damper to the desired position

. Replace the handle when the damper is in place.

Can fireplaces cause carbon monoxide?


Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning

. While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.

Is a flue damper necessary?


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.

What does the flue do in a fireplace?

What Chimney Flues Are. A chimney flue is a vertical passage or duct that runs from the firebox (where the fire burns) to the top of the chimney. Technically, a flue is any open vertical space in a chimney that

allows smoke to escape the home from the firebox

.

How can you tell if the flue is open?

Lean in under your chimney just outside of your wood burning stove. You should find a metal device just within the chimney or flue opening.

The damper is open if you can see through the damper up to your chimney

. If you only see a metal plate, the damper is in a closed position.

How do I keep cold air from coming in my gas fireplace?

Solution. If you have a damper in your fireplace, one method to prevent the cold draft is to

close the damper when you do not have a fire going

. This can be accomplished by reaching up into your fireplace and closing the damper if the front screen is removable.

Do you leave pilot on gas fireplace?


We recommend that you turn off your gas fireplace pilot light seasonally

. Turning off your gas fireplace’s pilot light can save a substantial amount of energy and money. It is important to remember that not all gas fireplaces have “standing” pilot light, or, a pilot light that is “always on”.

Can a gas fireplace cause carbon monoxide poisoning?


Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning

. While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.

Do gas fireplaces have dampers?


Traditional wood or gas fireplaces have one of two types of dampers

. Throat dampers are installed at the base of the chimney, over the firebox — the main chamber where the fire burns. They’re usually opened by a handle, a crank or a chain located inside the fireplace.

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.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.