4 Reasons to keep your damper closed during the summer
There are many reasons to keep your damper closed during the summer. One of the most benefitial is that it can save you money on your energy bills. By trapping the cool air inside and keeping the warm air out, you can maintain a comfortable temperature in your home without turning on your air conditioner for long periods of time. Keeping your damper close during the summer comes along some other benefits for your house. Here at All pro chimney & Home Improvement, we have detailed a list of the best reasons why you should keep your damper close during the summer months.
1. You will save money on your energy bills
As we mentioned above, one of the biggest benefits of keeping your damper closed during the summer is that it can help you save money on your energy bills. By trapping the cool air inside and keeping the warm air out, you will be able to run your air conditioner less often. This can lead to significant savings on your monthly energy bills. If you want to learn more about what chimney dampers are, what is their main functions are, we got the perfect article for you right here.
2. Your HVAC will perform better
Keeping your chimney damper closed during the summer months can help your HVAC to perform better overall. When the damper is open, it allows hot air to enter your home and can cause your HVAC to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This can lead to premature wear and tear on your HVAC system, as well as increased energy costs. Keeping your damper closed during the summer is not the only way to extend your HVAC sytem ‘s lifespan. Consider call a professional HVAC cleaning company like ours to have your system cleaned and inspected regularly.
3. You will keep animals from nesting in your chimney flue
Another reason to keep your damper closed during the summer months is to prevent animals from nesting in your chimney flue. When the weather outside is warm, animals are often looking for a cool, dark place to hide from the heat. If they can get into your chimney, they may build a nest there. Not only is this a fire hazard, but it can also be a health hazard if the animals are carrying diseases.
4. You’ll Prevent Debris from Entering Your Home
Finally, another reason to keep your chimney damper closed during the summer is to prevent debris from entering your home. When the damper is open, it provides an easy way for leaves, twigs, and other debris to blow into your home. Allowing debris to clog your chimney flue can be a fire hazard and can also lead to expensive repairs.
Besides preventing debris build-up and keeping animals from nesting, it is recommended by the Chimney Safety Insitute Of America to have your chimney swept and inspected at least once a year. Consider reaching out to a professional chimney services company and request an estimate for chimney sweep services.
There is one exception to the rule
The only reason to leave your fireplace damper open during the summer months is if you have gas logs in your fireplace. The pilot light beneath the gas logs produces carbon monoxide even when there is no fire burning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is both odorless and colorless, making it difficult to detect. This noxious gas is strongly poisonous. When using gas logs, it’s critical to maintain the damper open at all times to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
There you have it – 4 reasons to keep your chimney damper closed during the summer months. Doing this, will save money on your energy bills, prevent animals from nesting in your chimney, and extend the life of your HVAC system. Not to mention, you’ll also prevent debris from entering your home.
We hope you enjoyed reading this post and please feel free to share it with your friends or family members who might find it useful. If you have any questions about chimney dampers or would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact us today.