Have you ever noticed that you sit in front of the fireplace on a cold winter night and you realize that smoke is coming inside your home or you are not getting any heat but in fact cool air? You check if everything is in place; your fireplace is working well, and the wood is dry and seasoned. Before you do a chimney inspection, let us tell you it’s probably because your chimney damper may not be fixed well or is damaged or not absent.
A damper is a very important part of your chimney and you surely need one.
What Is A Damper?
A chimney damper is like a lid of the chimney. It is placed on top of the flue which is the opening and the way through which the smoke and other gases pass through from the fireplace. The smoke and gases then escape out the chimney opening or the damper. The damper is made up of metal and has a chain to open and close the chimney opening.
The Purpose Of The Damper
A chimney damper serves a major purpose. When the chimney is not in use then the damper opening should be closed so that outside cold air does not enter the homes through the fireplace. If this is happening then your heating system will have to work extra to keep the house warm and hence higher heating bills. A properly working chimney damper will be cost saving and energy efficient for you as well. This means that the job of the damper is still on because the closed flap of the chimney keeps the cold air outside the home leading to a warmer and cozy home.
Ensures Healthy Air Indoors
If the chimney is in use meaning the fireplace is burning then the damper opening should be opened so the smoke and dangerous gases can easily escape out the damper. The by-products of burning wood are dangerous and contain gases which are invisible and odor free and can be dangerous to your health and the health of your family members if inhaled in large amounts. These gases and the smoke can also lead to irritants inside your home which can lead to allergies and infections of the skin, nose and eyes. A properly working and a properly fixed chimney damper keeps the air inside your homes breathable and clear. Health comes first and hence you cannot compromise on the health of your parents or children as they are the most vulnerable from the harmful effects of the dangerous gases, smoke and irritants.
The chimney is just a gateway from the interior of the house that is the fireplace to the exterior world that is outer air. You may think you use a fireplace and the smoke goes out the chimney, but that’s not actually the case. There are many components in between the exterior and the interior of the chimney that ensure the efficient and healthy working of the chimney such as the flue, chimney liner, chimney cap and the chimney damper. Most chimneys come equipped with a damper which is enclosed inside the chimney and comes with a flap or knob.
Proper fixing and repair of the chimney damper is also very important because if it is not fixed tightly then the damper may not function well. So if there is cold air or smoke coming inside your home then you need to check whether your damper is fixed properly or not.
Difference Between A Chimney Cap And A Chimney Damper
The work of the damper is to prevent the smoke from coming into the house and to prevent cold air from the outside entering your home.
The work of the chimney cap is to keep the small animals, environmental debris and rain from going inside the chimney and leading to obstruction. It does not interfere with the smoke or air. It is a cap on top of the flue.
A chimney damper is important if you care for the health of your family and to reduce your energy costs. Get in contact with a chimney contractor Columbia MD to install a chimney damper. You should also get it inspected for repair or replacement.
