Closing the damper also makes the home more efficient by not letting air escape through the chimney. Those with gas fireplaces should leave the damper open at all times to prevent a gas buildup in ...

When the fireplace isn’t in use, clean the damper and damper hinge thoroughly with a wire brush, then coat the hinge with a lubricating oil that creeps, like WD-40.

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- 'Tis the season for a roaring fire. Mary Bubala has some tips to reduce heat loss from your fireplace. Always keep the flue damper closed unless a fire is going.

When you start up a fire in a wood-burning fireplace, you open up the damper–that’s the small door that opens and closes the chimney flue. Opening that damper is like opening a window in the ...

After using your fireplace all winter, the hot, steamy days of summer can cause your chimney to really stink. Here's how to ...

2 Pay it backward. Keep the fire toward the very back of the fireplace, Liverman cautions. The further back the fire is, the less chance of getting smoke in the room. Raise up the wood slightly on ...

"I had a new damper installed on our chimney, and it failed within two years. The heat from the fireplace compromised the tension in the springs that hold the louvers open so smoke could escape. I ...

The smoke chamber — the area between the damper and the first flue liner — needs to be a minimum of 27 inches high. Speaking of flue liners, fireplace masons often install ones that are too large.

6 ways to properly maintain your chimney and fireplace While it’s best to let a pro inspect and clean the chimney, there are six things homeowners can do to improve their fireplace experience.