Do you open the flue on a gas fireplace?

Vented gas logs

You need to leave your chimney's damper partially open to vent the carbon monoxide that the gas fire produces, so much of the heat generated by a vented gas log set goes up the chimney.

Similarly, is it safe to close the flue on a gas fireplace?

Because gas-log fires produce copious amounts of carbon monoxide, they have to vent outside in a fail-safe manner. That's why there is, or should be, a keep-open device attached to the damper in gas-log fireplaces. Do not close a fireplace damper until the fire is completely out.

One may also ask, should fireplace damper be open all the way? The damper should always be fully open before lighting a fire and when the fireplace is in use. Close it when it's not it use. The damper should be kept open until all embers are finished burning to prevent smoke from escaping into the home. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed.

In this way, can you close the damper when pilot is on gas fireplace?

If you have installed gas logs in your fireplace, the damper should never be closed. If you have a pilot light constantly burning under your gas logs, shutting the damper puts you, your family and your pets at severe risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?

Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. An improperly maintained or ventilated gas fireplace, however, can result in incomplete combustion, creating carbon monoxide, and causing this toxic gas to linger—putting those inside at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

37 Related Question Answers Found

How do you tell if my gas fireplace is vented?

How to Tell If Your Gas Logs Are Vent-Free

Inspect the logs. All vent-free 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 in the wall or floor. If the gas is merely contained by a simple gas line, then the logs are vent free.
Turn on the fireplace.

How long can you leave your gas fireplace on?

In most cases, if your fireplace was installed properly, you can leave it on indefinitely. There is no time limit built into the safety requirements for vented gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces literally run for days when being safety tested.

When should you close a flue?

Close the flue damper when there is no fire. When you're fire is out or during seasons that you don't have fires, keep the flue damper shut to prevent heat or cooling loss.

Is a damper and flue the same thing?

Every Fireplace has a chimney damper. This is a movable plate that sits above the fireplace before the flue. If you pull the lever toward you, generally that will open most of the dampers. The flue, also known as the chimney lining, is basically a pipe up the middle of the chimney.

Can gas fireplaces run continuously?

Most fireplace inserts can be run continuously, as long as the glass front is sealed. Most direct vent gas fireplaces can be run continuously, as long as the glass front is sealed. Vent-free: A vent-free gas fireplace is designed to operate similarly to an oven, providing a secondary heat source that is not vented.

What is the difference between a vented and 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 smoke goes up the flue along with most of the heat. Ventless (vent-free) gas logs burn cleanly with a lower flame that does not smoke.

Should I keep my fireplace pilot light on?

Leaving the gas on keeps this compound moving out of the tubes. Keeping the pilot light on will also keep moisture out of the unit and in turn, help prevent corrosion. As you can see, it's probably best in most cases to extinguish the pilot light in your gas fireplace during the months when you don't need heat.

Which way is the flue open?

Step 1. Check your damper handle to see which position it is in. If the handle is in the closed position, your flue damper should be closed. If the lever is in the open position, your flue damper should be open.

Do you open the damper on a gas fireplace?

The damper in a gas fireplace should remain open all the time. The glass between the firebox and your home prevents cold or heat from coming down the chimney and by leaving the damper open at all times, you eliminate the risk of having gas build up or backdraft into your home.

How do I know if my fireplace is safe to use?

5 Easy Steps to Make Sure Your Fireplace Is Safe

#1 Examine the Firebox. Look for any cracks, gaps, or signs of wear in the lining of the firebox (the interior of the fireplace).
#2 Look for Telltale Smoke Stains.
#3 Make Sure Your Grate Is the Right Size.
#4 Check the Chimney.
#5 Double-Check Your Fire Extinguisher.

When should you close the fireplace doors?

Glass doors should be fully open when starting a fire and when the fire is burning strongly. The glass doors should be closed as the fire dies down to minimize the amount of room air going up the fireplace chimney. When burning gas logs in a wood burning fireplace, the glass doors should always be fully open.

How do I turn on my gas fireplace?

Hold the gas control button down while you hold the end of a lighted match or lighter at the end of the pilot tube. If you do this correctly, the pilot light should start as soon as the flame is close enough. Hold the pilot button down for about 20 seconds to give the thermocouple time to heat up, then release it.

How do you close a gas fireplace flue?

Push the lever up slightly to disengage it from its support tab and then pull it away from the tab horizontally as the damper lowers into a closed position. If your fireplace has pull chains, pull the longer chain to disengage the damper and then pull the shorter chain to close the flue.

How do you know when the fireplace damper is open?

Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don't feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.

Can you turn off pilot on gas fireplace?

We recommend that you turn off your gas fireplace pilot light seasonally. Turning off your gas fireplace's pilot light can save a substantial amount of energy and money. On a fireplace you will normally find the control knob behind the grate or door.

Can I insulate under my gas fireplace?

Insulating Gas Fireplaces

Heatilator gas fireplaces can be vented through the top or the side. A built-in insulation basket is included with the fireplace around the vent. The fireplace itself is heavily insulated and you should not install insulation into the walls surrounding the firebox.

How do you adjust the pilot light on a gas fireplace?

On some fireplaces, there will be a "Lo-Hi" button that allows you to adjust the flame upward or downward. On others, there will be a screw that you can easily adjust with a screwdriver. Turning the screw clockwise will lower the flame, while a counterclockwise motion will turn it up.