What is the vent on the outside of my fireplace for?
Direct-Vent
One draws fresh outdoor air into the sealed firebox for combustion, while another expels the fire’s combustion exhaust, gases, and by-products outside.
Should the vent on a fireplace be open or closed?
When in use, the fireplace vent should always be open. This prevents smoke from entering your home. If the vent is closed, it will block the chimney, causing smoke to invade your living space. Additionally, you should leave the vent open when using a gas fireplace as well.
How do you open the vent on a gas fireplace?
You should turn the knob clockwise, as far as it can go, or push the rod all the way up to open the damper. If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed.
Does a fireplace need a fresh air vent?
Fire requires oxygen, so any fireplace with real fire from a source such as wood or gas requires a renewable supply of incoming air. This is often referred to as “fresh air,” though the IRC also calls it “combustion air.”
When should I close my fireplace vents?
You should close the damper on your fireplace once the fire and embers have all burned out. This prevents warm air in your house from escaping out the chimney. You should open the damper before lighting a fire and close it once the fire is done burning.
How do I know if my fireplace is vented?
A vented fireplace has attractive yellow and orange flames that lick upward around the sides of the ceramic logs. An unvented fireplace, by contrast, has much less striking flames. These flames tend to be smaller and bluer. As a result, an unvented gas fireplace won’t create quite the same illusion as a vented one.
Is it OK to 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.
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.
How do you use an air vent in a fireplace?
Open the vents and light the kindling. Close the glass doors once the kindling is in flames. The draft will create suction that draws air forcefully in through the vents. The air flow will fan the flames and light the logs quickly.
Why is cold air coming out of my fireplace?
If your damper is warped, rusted or otherwise damaged, cold air in the upper flue is going to get past it. Along with the common throat damper located just above the firebox, some homeowners add a top-sealing damper at the top of the chimney to double their protection.
How do you seal a fireplace vent?
If you want to seal your fireplace off for good, the easiest way to do so in a hurry is to cut out a foam insulation plug, place it at the bottom of your chimney, and caulk or weatherstrip it in place.
What is the lever on the side of my fireplace?
in your home are turned off when burning your fire. Also, some wood burning fireplaces have a lever to open or close the outside air vent to the fireplace. If your fireplace has this lever (usually located on the left inside panel) make sure the outside air vent is in the open (or up) position.
How do I know if my damper is open or closed?
Conduct a visual check.
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.
Why does my gas fireplace have 2 vents?
Specialized venting includes a “direct vent” that has two chambers that work together to perform dual purposes: one chamber draws oxygen in from the outdoors for the fire, while another expels the fire’s byproducts and gases outside.
Can you cover vents on fireplace?
Vent Covers
If you have screen doors or an insert built into your fireplace, the vents along the top and/or bottom of the frame are known to leak up a storm. Installing a magnetic fireplace vent cover over those vents is a smart solution that stops cold air dead in its tracks.
How long can you run a vented gas fireplace?
Even if your gas fireplace is sealed and vented to release fumes into the outside, it’s better to lean towards the safer side of things and only leave it running for two to three hours at a time. When in doubt, consult the manufacturer of your gas fireplace.
Can a gas fireplace vent sideways?
Direct vent fireplaces are the most popular choice for homeowners. In fact, 90% of gas fireplaces are sold direct-vent because of their increased safety, efficiency, and versatility (Source: Build with Propane). In terms of versatility, you can vent a direct-vent fireplace horizontally or through the roof.
Should a gas fireplace have a vent?
Gas fireplaces need to be vented by a chimney or other vent, unless you have a ventless gas fireplace. Ventless gas fireplaces do not need ventilation and are designed to burn cleaner with a lower flame that will not smoke. If your gas fireplace is not a ventless model, then it will likely need a vent of some sort.
Why does my gas fireplace smell like burning plastic?
Newly Installed Gas Systems May Start with an Odor
Like other devices made in a factory, gas fireplaces often have lubricants, paints, and other manufacturing processes that leave debris in the passageway, which will produce a stink sometimes described as burning plastic.
