Why You Should Close Your Damper This Summer
With summer here, what should you do with your fireplace? One of the most frequent questions is what you should do with your fireplace’s damper. Your thought may be to ignore it and deal with it in the fall, which would be the wrong approach. Should it be closed? Should it stay open? Don’t worry; we are here to guide you. Below are several reasons why you should close your damper during summer.
Why You Shouldn’t Follow Advice from Non-Professionals
As a chimney sweep service, we have seen countless chimneys over the years, and our chimney sweeps have the training and experience to know why your damper needs to be closed during the summer. You might follow advice from someone that your chimney’s damper should remain open to let air circulate so your chimney will stay dry; the opposite is what you will find. Your masonry chimney’s interior is coated with a tacky and flammable substance called creosote that, when exposed to warmth and humidity from the air outside, will result in a highly unpleasant smell that will permeate your whole home. It’s that kind of bad advice that can bring about problems. Before we look any further into why you should keep your damper closed, let’s look at what it does.
Understanding a Chimney Damper
Your chimney’s damper is a metal plate designed to open and shut so that airflow can come in and out of your chimney. While open, it lets smoke and toxic gases from fire-burning vent from your fireplace through the chimney flue and leave your home. When your damper is shut, it prevents hot and humid summer air from entering and cool air from getting out. Simply put, it guards the air exchange between your home and the outdoors.
Most dampers are manually operated and are located near the bottom of the chimney, right above the firebox in your fireplace. There is another type of damper called a top-sealing damper, which is installed at the top of your chimney that gives an even tighter seal.
Should You Keep Your Damper Closed This Summer?
Now that you understand what a chimney damper is, let’s look into why keeping this little sentinel closed in the summer is vital.
Energy Savings
During the summer, air conditioning keeps your house cool, dry, and comfortable. However, an open damper can cause an escape of air-conditioned air and let sweltering exterior air in. An open damper makes it difficult to keep your house cool and causes your air conditioning system to work overtime, driving up your energy use as well as your power bill. It also makes your home stuffy and sticky.
Wildlife
When a damper remains open in the summer, your chimney can be an enticing entry point for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, bats, raccoons, and insects. A shut damper serves as a barrier against these unwelcome guests from getting into your chimney.
Dampness Issues
An open damper can let rainwater enter your chimney, producing multiple problems. Moisture can harm both the damper itself and additional chimney components. It can also seep into your home’s structure, causing moist patches, mold, and mildew growth, and even structural damage in some cases.
In Closing
Your chimney serves as more than just an extension of your fireplace. It serves as a tool for keeping your home energy efficiency, promotes indoor comfort, and facilitates home safety. So, don’t forget, as we enjoy the balmy days of summer, make sure to keep your chimney damper shut. It’s an action that can significantly affect your home’s comfort and well-being.
Chimney Sweeps Inc. Knows Dampers
We understand the importance of a chimney damper, and can inspect yours to make sure it is in good shape. Contact us today, and we will be happy to discuss your chimney damper needs.
