Save Energy Dollars with a Chimney Top Damper

If you have a woodburning fireplace built of masonry materials, chances are that it also has a cast-iron damper. When your fireplace was new the damper provided a metal-to-metal seal. Back when these dampers were first designed energy costs were lower and it was way before the energy crisis of the 1970's. Having a tight-fitting seal wasn't a necessary consideration.

Today there are chimney top damper chimney cap combinations available that effectively and efficiently seal off the top of the chimney. These dampers have various types of seals. Some are stainless steel that have a metal to metal seal. Other dampers incorporate a flat silicone gasket or an injected silicone gasket. The ultimate seal is designed with a refrigerator-type gasket. This seal is very flexible and provides the best, tightest seal.

Energy Top Damper with refrigerator-type gasket photo courtesy of
http://www.lindemannchimneysupply.com/us-fireplace-dampers-and-top-chimney-dampers.html

Installing one of these chimney top dampers can save up to 8% of your home heating costs depending on the type of seal and the size of the home. This savings will pay for the cost of the damper usually within 2-5 years.

Chimney top dampers are easy to use. The lid of the damper is attached to a stainless steel cable that drops down the flue and into the fireplace firebox. This cable has a spring handle at the bottom that fits into a bracket that's attached to the firebox wall when closed. To open the damper just tug down on the handle, release and the damper pops open.

To find a top chimney damper for your fireplace, speak with your chimney professional. They can usually have one installed within a day or two and you can start saving your energy dollars quickly.