If you have gas logs installed in your fireplace, the damper should never be closed. If you have a constant pilot light burning under your gas logs, closing the damper puts you, your family, and pets at serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Similarly, can you shut the damper on a gas fireplace?
Because gas fireplaces produce large amounts of carbon monoxide, they must fail-safely vent to the outside. For this reason, a hold-open device is or should be attached to the flap of gas log fireplaces. Do not close a chimney damper until the fire is completely out.
Do you also know if the damper on a gas fireplace should be open or closed?
You will need to partially deflate your chimney damper open to vent the carbon monoxide the gas fireplace produces, as much of the heat generated by a vented gas block set goes up the chimney.
Similarly, you may be wondering, keep the chimney open in a gas fireplace?
Once you have vented gas logs, you must keep the chimney open when the logs are burning. Most vented sets have a built in “stop” for the trigger to prevent someone from closing it completely. If the log pack is giving off a nice yellow flame, it’s probably vented.
Why is my gas fireplace drafting?
The only reason your vented gas fireplace is drafting is because the gas logs are installed . Chances are, before you had gas logs installed, your fireplace was a wood-burning fireplace. If I have to leave the chimney wide open, the amount of air going through the chimney increases.
How do I know if my damper is open or closed?
Perform a visual inspection through. Stick your head in the fireplace with a flashlight to look up the chimney. If you have a neck dampener, you can tell if it’s closed by seeing a barrier over your head. If you can see up the chimney, the damper is open.
How do you tell if my gas fireplace is vented?
How to tell if your gas logs are unvented
- Examine the logs. All non-vented logs are firmly attached to a U-shaped burner and cannot be moved.
- Follow the gas line from beneath the logs to where it disappears into the wall or floor. If the gas is merely contained by a simple gas line then the logs will be free of air.
- Turn on the fireplace.
Should be glass doors closed on the gas fireplace?
The doors should always be fully open or fully closed. Glass doors should be fully open when starting a fire and when the fire is intense. The glass doors should be closed when the fire is out to minimize the amount of room air going up the chimney.
Do gas fireplaces need to be vented?
Valveless fireplaces that use gas or propane rely on room air for combustion and they emit a small portion of their combustion gases into the room in which they are located. A chimney or chimney is not required. In fact, ventless fireplaces are generally just for aesthetics and extra space heating.
Are gas fireplace fumes harmful?
Gas fireplaces are generally considered cleaner than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, but you can too Pollute indoor air quality if not properly ventilated. Toxic gases emitted include deadly carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide – a gas that is particularly harmful to asthmatics.
What is the difference between a vented and an unvented gas fireplace?
Vented gas logs burn like a real wood fire with a yellow flame that produces smoke. They must be burned in a wood-burning fireplace with the damper open so the smoke rises through the flue along with most of the heat. Unvented (unvented) gas logs burn cleanly with a lower flame that does not smoke.
Do gas logs heat a room?
Ventless gas logs are an inexpensive and efficient way to add additional heat to a room without having to open the damper on your fireplace. These logs use the air from the room for combustion and then release the heat back into the room. In most cases, unvented gas logs cannot be used in conjunction with a blower.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?
Yes, gas fireplaces are a possible cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, an improperly maintained or ventilated gas fireplace can result in incomplete combustion, produce carbon monoxide and result in this toxic gas being left behind – putting those inside at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
All fireplaces have a damper ?
Each fireplace has a chimney flap. This is a movable panel that sits above the fireplace in front of the chimney. Generally, pulling the lever toward you will open most dampers. When the damper is closed, it helps prevent heated air from going up the chimney.
When should I close the damper on my chimney?
Close the chimney damper when when it burns out completely.. If you need the fire to burn well and remain smoke-free, you can set the damper to a half-open position. Close the hatch when the fire is completely and absolutely out. This means the ash stays cool to the touch even when stirred.
Can gas fireplaces run continuously?
Types of gas fireplaces. Most fireplace inserts can run continuously as long as the glass front is sealed. Since flueless gas fireplaces do not exhaust fumes from the home, they should only be used for a few hours at a time.
When should you close a chimney?
Close the flue damper when no fire is burning . When the fire is out or during the seasons when there is no fire, keep the flue damper closed to prevent heat or cold loss.
How do you insulate a gas fireplace?<
Insulating Gas Fireplaces. A built-in insulating basket is included with the fireplace around the vent. If you are venting the chimney from the top you will need to cut a hole in the insulation for the vent and leave it in place but remove the entire piece for the side vent.
When should you remove the chimney doors?
Glass doors should be fully open when starting a fire and when the fire is strong. The glass doors should be closed when the fire is out to minimize the amount of room air rising up the chimney. When burning gas logs in a wood burning fireplace, the glass doors should always be fully open.
Should the chimney damper be fully open?
The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in operation. Close it when not in use. The damper should be kept open until all the embers have finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the house. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed.
How long can you leave your gas fireplace lit?
In most cases, if your fireplace is properly installed, you can leave it on indefinitely. There is no time limit in safety requirements for vented gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces will literally run for days when safety tested.
Is it safe to leave the pilot light on the gas fireplace?
If you leave the gas on, this connection will move out of the pipes. Leaving the pilot light on will also keep moisture out of the unit, preventing corrosion. As you can see, in most cases it’s probably best to turn off the pilot light in your gas fireplace during the months when you don’t need heat.