Wood Fireplace: should I keep glass doors open or closed?

Question

I've heard that keeping the glass doors open while the fire burns is counterproductive, as it sucks more inside (warm) air up the chimney. but standing by the fire, I'd really have to say that when the doors are open, more heat is radiating into the room FROM the fire than going TO the fire (and up the chimney)...so what the crap? does a fire in the fireplace make my gas furnace work HARDER or give it a little break?

My Dad said to always keep the doors closed. I wonder - what's the point in having a fire if you can't feel it's warmth? I mean it looks cool, but so would a bunch of candles if it's just for ambiance...

Answer 1

Yes, by keeping the doors open, it is sucking up all your warm air. It also burns the wood faster. You may feel the warmth while you are standing in front of the fire but it is actually taking more than it's putting in. By keeping the doors closed, not only will the wood burn slower but you will get more heat coming from it. What also helps, is if you have a fan to blow the hot air into the room. We have a slow burning fireplace, with a fan, and cannot get near it. It burns extremely hot. These kind have a tight seal so they never use up the air from inside the room. Only take outside air for combustion.

Answer 2

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The Department of Energy website recommends that you only open the glass doors during the peak heat of the fire. The reason for this is the fireplace fire will grab your indoor air (that is already heated by your furnace) and toss it up the chimney whenever the doors are open. This is referred to as the homes "stack effect". The fireplace will grab so much interior air that it nets a heat loss to your home when you compare the heat the fireplace gives the home (only runs at 10% efficiency) to what it robs from the home. The glass doors do not completely stop the air loss during the burn but it helps to slow it down. Unfortunately, the glass doors will also reflect back most of the heat and keep it from entering the room. That is why the only time it is appropriate to open the doors is when the fire burns at it peak heat output. Overall this is why fireplaces are considered aesthetic devices NOT heating devices. Some people use glass doors as a fireplace damper to keep the cold air from entering the home when the fire is out. They are not very effective at that, for that matter, metal dampers are not very effective at that either. If you have a drafty fireplace that is cold when not being used you can use a chimney balloon or a top damper. Hope this covers your question.

Answer 3

If this is a built into the wall fireplace, then leave the glass doors open- they are only there to keep sparks from coming into the room and setting it on fire. You should have a chain mesh hanging screen for that.

However, if this is a woodstove, either in fireplace or freestanding, then you keep the doors closed; this helps the fire burn more efficiently and generate more heat for the house.

With a fireplace, the heat is going to go up the chimney regardless. However, with a liner or reflector, heat with be directed back out intot he room.

If the firepplace is not putting heat into the house, your furnace is working as it always does. If it is putting heat into the house, then your heater - and gas bill - are getting a break.

Answer 4

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RE:
Wood Fireplace: should I keep glass doors open or closed?
I've heard that keeping the glass doors open while the fire burns is counterproductive, as it sucks more inside (warm) air up the chimney. but standing by the fire, I'd really have to say that when the doors are open, more heat is radiating into the room FROM the fire than going TO the...

Answer 5

Keep Doors Closed

Answer 6

Normally glass doors are used in a fireplace that has a heaterlater, or heat exchange, It blows the hot air from the fire through tubes that run above and come out over the top of the firescreen. If you don't have one, you need a fire screen,not a fire door. There are quite a few different styles,and finishes. They can also get expencive but last for years. With a screen, you keep the embers from popping out onto the floor,and enjoy the heat of the fire at the same time.Go get a screen, I could't stand it if I couldn't feel my fire.

Answer 7

Generally, if there is a fire in the fireplace, then the doors are left open so that the heat can flow into the room. The doors are usually left closed when the fireplace is not in use because of air drafts.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

your going to crack your glass. your not getting the heat you want. get a mesh to keep the sparks out when the doors are open