The Importance of Closing Your Fireplace Damper This Summer

With the summer season still underway, make sure you keep your damper closed since you won’t be using your fireplace until the colder months. Your local chimney relining contractor explains why this is important.

The Problem of Keeping Dampers Open in Summer

Many homeowners continue to keep their chimney dampers open well after the burning season for the following reasons:

• Chimney Cap 
  The chimney cap indeed helps keep water and animals out of your home. However, it can get damaged over time, creating an entry point for rainwater or pests.
• Letting Indoor Air Escape 
  Leaving the damper open doesn’t help hot indoor air escape up the chimney. Instead, outdoor air will flow down the chimney while the cool air from your air conditioner escapes. Your cooling system will work harder than it should, leading to an increase in energy bills and shortening the lifespan of your HVAC unit.
• Airing Out the Fireplace 
  The idea of airing out the fireplace by keeping the damper open does more harm than good. Humid outside air can mix with the creosote buildup in your chimney and fireplace, producing a foul odor. Soot and dust may also get inside your home via downdrafts of warm air, impacting your home’s indoor air quality.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

Summer isn’t the only time to close your chimney dampers. According to chimney masonry repair pros, the other time you need to do so is when preparing for a hurricane or heavy rain. When using the fireplace during the winter season, closing the damper should only be done when the fire is completely out.

If you are using gas logs in your fireplace, however, you can leave your chimney damper open. Even when there’s no fire burning, the pilot light underneath produces carbon monoxide, which is a highly toxic gas. Keeping the damper open helps prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Chimney Doctors is the leading contractor in the area that offers top-notch chimney services. Whether you need a chimney sweep or chimney repair, our certified experts have the experience and tools necessary to get the job done right the first time. Call (518) 882-5009 today, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve homeowners in Clifton Park, NY, and the surrounding areas.