Direct vent fireplaces have two chambers. One draws fresh outdoor air into the
sealed firebox for combustion
, while another expels the fire’s combustion exhaust, gases, and by-products outside. The venting exits either from the top or the back of the fireplace, providing flexibility for installation.
Should fireplace vent be open all the way?
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.
How do you use fireplace vents?
- Lay kindling twigs over the grate. Stack logs on top in perpendicular layers with air spaces between them.
- Open the vents and light the kindling. …
- Open the glass doors once the logs begin to burn. …
- Close the vents once there is a bed of coals under the grate.
Why does my brick fireplace have vents?
those vents are there to help with the efficiency of the fireplace. when you have a fire, the
whole brick surround heats up and acts
like a heatsink. since heat rises, the openings on the bottom will draw in cool air and as it warms up, it will come out the top vents into the room.
What is the lever on the right side of my fireplace?
One
lever
opens and closes the damper, allowing the smoke to come up through the flue of the
chimney
, while a second
lever
opens and closes the air vents, allowing fresh combustion air to enter and fuel the fire.
What’s the difference between a damper and a flue?
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 wood fireplace insert need to be vented?
With a wood insert, you can get more heat without replacing the whole fireplace and chimney. However, with all their features and benefits, there is an installation requirement that not every homeowner is aware of. Wood-burning fireplace inserts
need their own exhaust connector and flue
.
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.
How do I get the most heat out of my fireplace?
- Install a Fireplace Insert. …
- Use Glass Doors. …
- Use a Chimney Damper. …
- Get Chimney Fans. …
- Only Burn Dried Firewood. …
- Use Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. …
- Keep Combustible Materials Away from the Fireplace. …
- Clean Your Fireplace Regularly.
What happens if you forget to open the flue?
Open and Closed Case
People often forget to open their
chimney dampers when they build a nice warm fire
. Unfortunately this can cause serious problems, as it blocks the use of the chimney. Your room will soon fill up with smoke, and even worse, you can start a chimney fire.
When should I close my fireplace vents?
Close Fireplace Damper
When Fire Is Completely Out
.
Shut the damper when the fire is completely, absolutely out. That means ashes are cool to the touch even when stirred. If you close the damper before that, you risk carbon monoxide poisoning.
Does a direct vent fireplace need a chimney?
Direct vent is by far the most common venting method and is the newest form of venting, invented by the founders of Heat & Glo in the 1980s. It remains a popular choice because of its efficiency, safety, flexibility and the fact that
it does not require an existing chimney
.
Can you use a direct vent fireplace with a chimney?
Using a Direct Vent Gas Fireplace
does not require
an existing masonry chimney or brick fireplace and require very little pipe for installation. Direct Vent Fireplaces can be vented horizontally through an outside wall or vertically through the roof and will minimize heat loss through the chimney.
How do I know if my fireplace vent is open?
Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace.
If you feel a draft coming down the chimney
, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don’t feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.
What does the knob at the bottom of my fireplace do?
The lower knob is
logically air intake
. It might be from inside the house, or if the insert is externally vented (best) then the air for the fire comes from outside. In either case, shutting that down will dampen the fire, but it will do so gradually as the oxygen in the cavity is depleted.
