Flue Vs Damper Detailed Explanation

The fireplace damper is always confused with the flue. Are you the one in need of some clarification with the terms flue and damper? Let us clear all your doubts or differences of opinion about the fireplace damper and flue here!

If you are new to handling the fireplace, you must get a proper idea of the flue and damper. So, for your vision, the flue is the channel of metal or clay that draws the smoke and gases from your fireplace. The fireplace damper is a metal plate that is placed on top or bottom of the flue to function as a valve to control the air.

When you are talking about your chimney, both the words flue and damper are the exact ones to include in your conversation.

Let us dive deep down into the chimney flue to understand more!

What is Flue? 

When you speak with flue, you need to know the specific inner lining of the chimney, which extends to the top of the chimney from the bottom. The inner liner is made of clay or metal to withstand the high temperature there.

This is the necessary part of the chimney as it vents the hazardous gases out of the house. Generally, we can call this a duct to ventilate the gases produced by the fire or heating device that we use.

The design of the flue is mandatory to release the gases outside. The fuel you use and the type of your heating device decide the shape and size of your flue. To explain to you, the wood fireplace needs a larger flue than the gas furnaces.

Every heating system should have a flue to prevent the carbon monoxide gases from entering your house and suffocating. This channel also helps regulate the air pressure and temperature by allowing the air to flow.

What is a Damper?

• A fireplace damper is the device you are using to control the passage of the flue. It is usually operated manually, opening or closing.
• This device ensures that hazardous gases and any other fire byproducts can vent out of your house.
• The dampers are usually placed either at the bottom of the flue or at the top of your chimney. To sustain the heat from the inside, they are basically made of ceramic or metal.
• When the damper is opened, it not only lets the gases and other substances from the fire flow out, but it also enhances the outside air to flow inside to keep the fire going. Never forget to open your Damper when you start making the fire; a closed fireplace damper can cause hazardous gases to stay in the house and cause potential complications. You might need immediate care if that happens.
• And one more important thing is you need to close your damper when you are not using the fireplace. It can help you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. These controllers technically control the air entering the flue, which is attached to them. When the fireplace damper is open, it pulls out the hazardous gases and any remnants from the fire.
• There are many types of dampers available in the market, which are categorized into manually operated dampers and automatic dampers. The older heating methods use manual dampers that are adjusted and operated by hand, while the modern heating systems use automatic dampers with control from a thermostat.

Is It Mandatory To Have The Damper?

No! The fireplace damper is not a mandatory fix for your fireplace. You can find the older fireplaces run more efficiently without the dampers to be used.

But if you are looking for some good advice, it is a helpful device to maintain your fireplace for controlling the airflow outside. You may need this fireplace part to keep your house shut from the outside weather changes by closing the channel.

In this way, the house can stay warm in your winter days by not letting the cool air inside and also the critters, any weather or debris.

If you are using a fireplace damper, it is always considered best to check every time if the damper is open or closed. Visual checking is the best option, by sticking your head inside an unlit fireplace and looking upward.

If you check in the day, you can see the sunlight through the flue with the open damper. In other ways, you try feeling the pull from their air draft if the fireplace damper is opened. Place your hand on the passage to feel the moving air. Either way, make sure the damper is opened and proceed to light the fire.

Flue vs. Fireplace Damper

• The flue is called the extension of the chimney as a liner when you use the open fireplace. What do you think? Still thinking the chimney is the one who is pulling all the smoke from the fire? No, it is not. The chimney is a nest of bricks to surround the flue to give more insulation from the heat to the house materials like wood side walls and the tiles on the roof. The metal channel of the flue lets the smoke, ashes, or sparks, and, of course, the hazardous gases go up and away from your house for your safety.
• The flue allows the proper functioning of the fireplace or your wood fire stove. The necessary element for a fire to burn is oxygen; the negative pressure produced in the flue can pull the air up. This upward drifting of the air helps in the stableness of steady flames with more activeness and less smoke.
• On the other hand, the damper is the most important component of the flue. This is a thick cast iron plate with a metal handle attached to a chain to open when the fire starts in the fireplace and close when the fireplace is not used to stay warm inside by not letting the outside air in.
• The fireplace damper is placed at the base of the flue in a furnace, which is not seen from the outside. Open fireplaces come in two different styles: throat dampers and top-mount dampers. The throat damper is placed a foot from the fireplace or the firebox by positioning from the bottom, and this stays out of anyone’s sight from the outside. The top mount dampers are placed just under the chimney cap and at the top of the flue to control the airflow.

How to Handle the Words, Flue, and Damper

If you own a fireplace at your house, you definitely need to know about the components of a fireplace. The most frequently confused two components of a fireplace are the flue and the damper.  But not anymore to you! To avoid confusion, we give you this guide.

1. Using the Word Flue

As this flue is just a passageway that only lets the gases and smoke go through it, you need to know one thing for sure.  This is a noun in a sentence. The sentences where you can use the flue are,

• Before starting the fire, make sure the flue is open
• To prevent any build-up, the flue needs proper cleaning.
• The carbon monoxide can cause severe inconvenience if the flue is not closed properly.
• The chimney’s flue may get clogged with the suit if it is cleaned regularly.
• The bird’s nest in the flue is causing the block.
• You can smell the smoke from the flue.
• A closed flue will prevent the heat from escaping.

2. Using the Word Damper

The metal plate placed above the firebox is the fireplace damper. This controls the amount of air entering your house through the fireplace.

This word is also a noun in the sentences. As this is a controller of the air, you need to be sure of its functionality. The sentences where you can mention the fireplace dampers are,

• When the fireplace is not used, make sure to close the damper.
• Are you facing any trouble making the fire? You can start trying to open the damper to let the outside air in for the pressure and support.
• A damper damage can cause low efficiency of the fireplace, and it will use more energy, too.
• The amount of air that flows through the flue is controlled by the damper.
• The fireplace damper needs to be adjusted to regulate the room’s temperature.
• Forgetting to close the damper can cause the smoke to enter your house.
• If the wind blows heavily, the damper makes such a rattling noise.
• If the damper is open, the fireplace will draw cold air when the fire is not lit.

Most Common Confusion in Addressing

The interchanging of the names of the flue and fireplace damper is the most common mistake or confusion in many people. These issues can cause misleading arrangements when using the fireplace, which may cause unnecessary expenses because of ineffective fireplace-using methods.

1. Interchanging the Terms

The most common issue with these fireplace elements is always getting interchanged by mistake. They both do the same job at some point by regulating the airflow to the fireplace, but these are not the same parts. These are two separate parts of the fireplace.

The flue is the passage or a channel that lets the smoke and set go out of your house. It starts from the fireplace and connects with the chimney. The damper is the controller placed at the end of the flue to let the air in; it acts as a valve to the flue.

While operating your fireplace, you should interchange these two words. Instead of closing the flue, if you close the damper while using the fireplace, it will cause hazardous gases to flow inside the house, which may harm you in many ways.

2. Leaving the Damper Open

This is also a simple yet common mistake done with the fireplace. If you are not using the fireplace, the damper must be closed. The heat inside the house is lost from the air circulation from outside through the flue by the open damper. So, if you are not using your fireplace, consider closing the fireplace damper to save energy inside the house.

3. Flue Cleaning 

Your safety is directly tied to the cleaning of the flue. If you forget or neglect to clean your flue, it will cause severe hazards to your health. The creosote and other debris inside the flue can cause a fire hazard if they have built up without cleaning it.

To create a safe zone for the fireplace, make sure to clean the flue and inspect it thoroughly regularly for safety and efficiency.

Conclusion

There is no doubt in confusing the terms flue and damper for the beginner with the fireplace. The passage of the fireplace upwards is the flue, and the device on top of it to control its action is the fireplace damper. To run your house’s fireplace more efficiently, the two elements work together.

Both the parts of the flue and damper are doing the same job by controlling the fire and keeping it burning. These both have a similar effect on heat production. The most important of all is to maintain the flue and damper well by regular cleaning to avoid the ashes from accumulating on the wall.

Are you ready for your next conversation with your new neighbor about the fireplace? We hope these explanations guided you through the fireplace’s important components. You can give your feedback about your fireplace damper and flue in the comment section!