People rarely use their chimneys in the summer, so most of them do not even give these structures much attention. This is the time for chimney repair and maintenance, and it is also when you would close off the chimney., though some people make the mistake of leaving the chimney dampers open throughout the summer.
Here’s why you should keep your fireplace damper closed all summer:
Why Close It?
When you are not using the chimney, such as during the summer months, it acts as another source of air flow in the home. If the cooling system is operating, some of the cool air can escape through the chimney. This will force the equipment to work harder, driving up your electricity costs. Air will also escape if the damper is damaged, rusted or warped for some reason. Some older dampers do not seal tightly when they are closed, so a small amount of cool air can escape.
Aside from summer, keep your fireplace damper closed when your fireplace is not in use. This will prevent your heated or cooled air from escaping your home through the fireplace and chimney, as well as block drafts from outside. Hiring a professional chimney sweep company will help you ensure that you close the damper the right way. A closed damper will prevent rain, debris and animals from entering your home through the fireplace, too. You may also keep the damper partially closed while your fireplace is in use to control the fire’s intensity, but it should not be fully closed.
What About Gas Logs and the Damper?
Gas logs in fireplaces are very popular. A damper needs to be open when it is being used. In fact, a clamp is required to be installed on the damper to prevent it from closing tight even when the logs are not turned on. Since the pilot light runs continuously and there’s a risk of forgetting to open the damper before the gas logs are lit, the damper must be kept slightly ajar by installing a small C-clamp.
Does your chimney need professional cleaning? The purpose of chimney cleaning is to remove flammable deposits such as soot and creosote from the interior walls of the chimney. If these deposits are allowed to build up, they will eventually ignite and cause a chimney fire. Batts’ Chimney Services performs routine chimney cleaning services to protect our customers from this preventable disaster.
Schedule a convenient appointment with us today! Call us at (256) 906-1139 or fill out our online form to get a free chimney quote for your inspections or dryer vent cleaning.
