As a homeowner, you most likely are always looking for ways to save money on your utility bills. If you have an older fireplace, you might want to check out the condition of your damper, especially if it is a traditional metal throat damper. Over the years, this type of damper can suffer from damage that can cause it to not function efficiently. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), one of the most common areas in a home where air leakages may occur is the fireplace damper. Ashbusters can help you increase the energy efficiency of your home and decrease your heating and cooling bills by installing a new top-mounted damper for your fireplace. We would like to tell you more about the value of updating your damper.
Provides an Air-Tight Seal of Your Chimney
One of the advantages of a top-mounted damper is the air-tight seal it provides at the very top of your chimney with a hi-tech silicone gasket. Since traditional throat dampers are made of metal and are located directly above the firebox, they are not as energy efficient because they allow heated and cooled air to escape your home, even when they are completely closed. After Ashbusters has professionally installed a new top-mounted damper on your chimney, you will notice a decrease in your heating and cooling costs.
Serves More Than One Function
Not only do top-mounted dampers allow smoke and other toxic combustion gases to escape your home when a fire is burning in your fireplace, they also do the same job as another essential chimney component: the chimney cap. Although all top-mounted dampers keep out water and wild animals when closed, Ashbusters can show you a wide variety of models that are equipped with mesh metal sides that prevent birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other critters from getting inside your chimney when the damper is in the default open position.
Easy to Operate
One of the problems with traditional throat dampers is difficulty in opening and closing them. Even if it is easy to adjust, most handles are located above the firebox, which can be a hard place to access. A top-mounted damper is equipped with a chain that descends down the chimney and is connected to a handle or lever beside the firebox.
Save money on your heating and cooling costs this year. Contact us at Ashbusters to schedule an appointment for our professional top-mounted damper installation services.